Grdinding and smoke for the alternator?

12077 Views 30 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Ridgedave, Aug 27, 2014

tootalltrucker

Discussion Starter · Apr 11, 2014

I will try to make this short. 2009 Ridgeline, 60K miles
1. Get in car and it is DEAD. No clicks or anything.
2. Jump starts in 2 secs. Surprising seeing as it was DEAD.
3. Starts to make a grinding noise, almost like metal on metal, but with some smoke and electrical type smell. Looks like it is coming from the alternator area.
4. Have it towed to local garage, not a Honda dealer. He says it was a shorted battery. I explain about grinding noise and smoke and he says he had it running for 30 min and no issues.
5. Drive it for a week and no issues. Then yesterday the noise starts again so park it and take wife's car on our trip instead.

So,
A. Anybody experience this before?
B. Any suggestions on what I can check myself?
C. Think it might be best to take it to the dealer this time?

The local garage is reasonable and has always been good to me, but I need to get this fixed and be sure it won't fail me when on a trip.

Save

1 - 2 of 31 Posts

cccbock

· #2 · Apr 11, 2014

This is pure guesswork on my part.

Sounds like an intermittent problem and it is likely the alternator. I assume they replaced the battery.

If the smell is "electrical" as opposed to "rubber", I would go ahead and have the shop you trust change the alternator and check all the mounting bolts for alignment. And ask them to check the wire harness to the battery. Inspect the serpentine belt for excessive wear and/or burning and replace if needed.

Hopefully that is it. Avoid the dealer unless you want to pay $600-700 for this service with a new OEM unit. Should be able to locate an aftermarket or rebuilt unit for less.

Save

cccbock

· #6 · Apr 13, 2014

jimfrancis said:
cccbock, in my experience, even the dealers use remanufactured units nowadays. The cost would be a LOT higher if you demanded a brand new unit.

True Jim. I think the OEM part alone lists for over $400 new. Then they will try to sell a new belt and of course a dugle flugel adapter for the whichamacallit. $700 easy..... Do you want us to change the oil? :act018:

Save

1 - 2 of 31 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month