idler pulley/alternator

[yvonne]

IDLER PULLEY/ALTERNATOR

I had a mechanic look at my 1996 318ti regarding the screaching sound everytime I started my car. Well, I suggested to him that it may be my idler pulley/alternator. Of course, he states I think your right. Well, he replaced it! He then starts my car and guess what, yes, it starts screaching again. He states it can actually be my alternator. I think I need to take it to someone else. The bad part, it was the dealer that looked at it. Alternator??? I thought when an alternator went bad, it made the car turn off to the point that it wouldn't start at all. Help??? If it is my alternator, is it hard to replace.

[TiPerformance]

Time to get a new mechanic.

[weezer]

Check the belt on the pulleys.........when they get cracks or old they stiffen up and make screaching sounds.

[RAiMA]

Take the AC and alternator belt and try spinning the pulleys individually to find out which one could be be screaching. Increased rotating resistance may be found in the pulley that is screaching. Make sure to check the AC pulley before taking off the alternator belt. If it's the AC, it may save some trouble shooting work.

The engine can be switched on for a short period of time without the belts to eliminate the possibility of the engine.

Remember, before starting, to have a reference of how the belts run. If one can't be obtained, take a digital pic of it and print it out, or draw it out.

Good luck with with the trouble shooting method and / or finding a suitable mechanic

I hope this helps