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For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 2006 🢒 Lucerne 🢒 Vehicle Control Systems 🢒 Vehicle DTC Information 🢒 Generator Noise Diagnosis

Diagnostic Aids

Noise from a generator may be due to electrical or mechanical noise. Electrical noise or magnetic whine usually varies with the electrical load placed on the generator and is a normal operating characteristic of all generators. When diagnosing a noisy generator, it is important to remember that loose or misaligned components around the generator may transmit the noise into the passenger compartment and that replacing the generator may not solve the problem.

Step

Action

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

Test the generator for proper operation using the Generator Tester. Refer to Charging System Test .

Is the generator operating properly?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 12

3
  1. Start the engine. Verify that the noise can be heard.
  2. Turn OFF the engine.
  3. Disconnect the harness connector from the generator.
  4. Start the engine.
  5. Listen for the noise.

Has the noise stopped?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 4

4
  1. Turn OFF the engine.
  2. Remove the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement for the 3.8L engine or Drive Belt Replacement for the 4.6L engine.
  3. Spin the generator pulley by hand.

Does the generator shaft spin smoothly and without any roughness or grinding noise?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 12

5

Inspect the generator for a loose pulley and/or pulley nut.

Is the generator pulley or pulley nut loose?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 6

6
  1. Loosen all of the generator mounting bolts.
  2. Tighten the generator mounting bolts to specifications and in the proper sequence, if necessary. Refer to Generator Replacement .
  3. Install the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement for the 3.8L engine or Drive Belt Replacement for the 4.6L engine.
  4. Start the engine.

Has the noise decreased or stopped?

System OK

Go to Step 7

7

Inspect the generator for the following conditions:

    • Strained or stretched electrical connections
    • Hoses or other vehicle equipment resting on the generator, which may cause the noise to be transmitted into the passenger compartment

Are any electrical connections pulling on the generator or are any hoses, etc. resting on the generator?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 9

8
  1. Reroute the electrical connections to relieve the tension.
  2. Reroute the hoses, etc. away from the generator.
  3. Start the engine.

Has the noise decreased or stopped?

System OK

Go to Step 9

9

Inspect the drive belt for proper tension. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Diagnosis for the 3.8L engine or Drive Belt Tensioner Diagnosis for the 4.6L engine.

Is the drive belt loose?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 11

10
  1. Replace the drive belt tensioner. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement for the 3.8L engine or Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement for the 4.6L engine.
  2. Start the engine.

Has the noise decreased or stopped?

System OK

Go to Step 12

11

Compare the vehicle with a known good vehicle.

Do both vehicles make the same noise?

System OK

Go to Step 12

12

Important: If no definite generator problems were found, be sure that all other possible sources of objectionable noise are eliminated before replacing the generator. Replacing the generator may not change the noise level if the noise is a normal characteristic of the generator or the generator mounting.

Replace the generator. Refer to Generator Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 13

--

13

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 2