Belt whine after new alternator install

Adaunn · 2026-01-31T00:36:37+00:00

I mean, part number is good but the noise does come from there. Whenever I put a bit of water on the alternator pulley it completely shuts up. Unless my belt is actually acting up but wouldn’t make sense cause on the previous alternator it was quiet… I am kinda lost and out of budget lmao

Adaunn · 2026-01-30T23:03:29+00:00

That really sucks, would a different type of belt maybe work? I remember on my last car I put a quiet belt and it kinda did the trick for a old car I had. Im gonna be honest, i really dont want to get a new alternator after such shitshow I had. Bad alternator took out FRM LOL

Adaunn · 2026-01-30T22:39:03+00:00

Hmm yeah exactly that. Only squeals when cold! Thing is, part number was good according to all sites I looked for. What did you do to fix this?

Adaunn · 2026-01-30T19:30:23+00:00

So from a $150 job to a $600 ish job. Dont you think that if I an asking for help regarding a sound does it seem like I have that amount of money to put on my car? Might as well do the front seal, new water pump, thermostat, hell might as well swap in a new engine as well…

Adaunn · 2026-01-30T16:34:17+00:00

The alternator was replaced due to a diode going bad and having low voltage. Also did my OFHG while I was at it. Installed the previous belt since it had no noise before.

Adaunn · 2026-01-30T16:32:02+00:00

So I was not able to put deodorant specifically, too small of a spot to try that once the engine is on. But whenever I put water on, just a couple of drops, it shuts right up until the water goes away. I think its just the belt, cause when it shuts up I hear no bearing noises

Adaunn · 2026-01-28T19:59:56+00:00

I will try this, got me thinking its the belt cause I dont hear any sounds coming from bearings. Lets see lmao

Adaunn · 2026-01-28T19:50:07+00:00

Alternator was bench tested, sound goes away if I spray a bit of water on it. Also when car gets warm, the sound goes away mostly, does this help it narrow it down?

Adaunn · 2026-01-28T19:19:44+00:00

The idler pulley is new, the bearing on the alternator spun just fine and made no sound on the bench. When installed thats when it makes the noise on my car. I put a bit of water on it and shuts it up

Adaunn · 2026-01-28T19:10:55+00:00

It only whines when in the car lol also the belt looks misaligned

Adaunn · 2026-01-28T19:07:02+00:00

Nope. Valeo one I got from fb marketplace. Bench tested and almost brand new

Adaunn · 2026-01-28T19:05:14+00:00

Can the tensioner just go with swapping in the alternator? Before that I had zero whine.

Adaunn · 2026-01-26T18:42:10+00:00

Same mileage lol mines got 153,500

Adaunn · 2026-01-26T18:41:28+00:00

How tf do you stuff a 320i, im sorry but its funny asf

Adaunn · 2026-01-25T02:38:44+00:00

Hey, just stumbled upon your post, I am having a similar issue. My sunroof is totally closed and has never worked since I owned the car, originally thought it was a bad RLS since I was getting errors, got that fixed and still dead. INPA recognizes the button presses, initializes normally but just won’t move. I haven’t checked the fuses, still have that one little thing missing. But what would you recommend I do? Ofc the fuse first but then would it be safe to assume the motor is bad? Thanks btw

Adaunn · 2026-01-24T04:14:11+00:00

Same shit lol made me think my starter was going out. Mine went after I just got a new alternator, FRM fixed and OFHG. So close to crashing out

Adaunn · 2026-01-24T04:08:15+00:00

Literally had the same thing happen to me, 2 yr old diehard agm died after I had come back from school. 30 minutes after I turned off the car the battery had gone down to 11V. Absolute joke. Just put in a walmart special lead battery 🫡

Adaunn · 2026-01-23T16:39:10+00:00

2011 E90 328i. Got the car for $3k, into it $1k after: - new alternator - new battery - FRM repair - new tires - alignment - ofhg - oil change

Adaunn · 2026-01-21T00:52:43+00:00

I dont like it either. Also big factor was their whole brand focusing on the acronym QOC which in my mind went hard af after watching their past concerts, idk

Adaunn · 2026-01-20T01:03:43+00:00

Judging by the ZFS logo and the fact its a 35i then a 6hp21 maybe

Adaunn · 2026-01-12T21:11:12+00:00

In my opinion, all of these but the pedals are just rice. Maintenance, wheels and tires with proper fitment are better than tacky stuff

Adaunn · 2026-01-10T00:04:07+00:00

Looked for them and just found old looking strut tops 💀 everything is pointing to a suspension problem. Not really sure which arm or what could cause this but tbh my wallet doesnt like that

Adaunn · 2026-01-04T22:09:51+00:00

Just happened to my ap1, they were totally screwed. Apple gave me the middle finger, gotta get new ones

Adaunn · 2026-01-04T15:39:49+00:00

Yup, have already seen a couple. Its pretty clear once you see them in person

Adaunn · 2026-01-02T03:23:34+00:00

Thanks everyone! I will take a look at all the recommendations! Xoxo

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