[Androo]

Hey everyone,
I think my alternator has gone bad in a grocery store parking lot…, the battery light has come on and there’s a terrible squealing/squelching noise. However, when I look at the belt, it’s still on all the pulleys but the pulleys aren’t turning. That includes all the visible belts on the front of the engine(v8).
Is that normal? And would I be able to “kick start” the pulleys so-to-speak to get them to turn so I can limp it home?
Thanks for any input!!

[AuSeeker]

Originally Posted by Androo

Hey everyone,
I think my alternator has gone bad in a grocery store parking lot…, the battery light has come on and there’s a terrible squealing/squelching noise. However, when I look at the belt, it’s still on all the pulleys but the pulleys aren’t turning. That includes all the visible belts on the front of the engine(v8).
Is that normal? And would I be able to “kick start” the pulleys so-to-speak to get them to turn so I can limp it home?
Thanks for any input!!

It's sounds like you have the bearings seized up on the pulleys that aren't turning, I don't know a way to "kick start" the pulleys, you could try to spray a little bit of penetrating oil on the bearings but be careful not to get it on the pulleys and the belt and see if that will free them up.

Your battery light shouldn't be coming on unless the alternator is also not turning.

Just an FYI you only have 1 visible belt on the front of the engine, it's the "serpentine belt" which runs all the accessories on the front of the engine (alternator, power steering pump, AC compressor, etc., the only other belt on the engine is the timing belt but it has a cover on it and you can't see it without removing the cover

[Seymore Butts]

Whether or not you really do have a bad alternator depends on which pulley is seized. Serpentine belt stoppage caused by any pulley will keep your alternator from turning, which will trigger the battery light.

Take the belt off and spin every pulley by hand. You'll then know where the problem originated.

The sound you hear is the belt, it's now damaged and must be replaced regardless of which pulley froze.

You have only one belt there. There is no way for you to restart the seized pulley.

[4r-4ever]

if that happens, the only way you can drive it home is cut the belt and remove it. if the bearing is seized, you don't want to drive it like that since it can cause the belt to heat up and start a fire. you can still drive it home using the remaining battery charge. also, the ac and power steering will be not working too.

what did you end up doing?

Originally Posted by Androo

Hey everyone,
I think my alternator has gone bad in a grocery store parking lot…, the battery light has come on and there’s a terrible squealing/squelching noise. However, when I look at the belt, it’s still on all the pulleys but the pulleys aren’t turning. That includes all the visible belts on the front of the engine(v8).
Is that normal? And would I be able to “kick start” the pulleys so-to-speak to get them to turn so I can limp it home?
Thanks for any input!!

[swo life]

Happened to me. My car is not my daily driver and after sitting for about 2 months, I started car, got battery light and light whining noise. Didn't know what was wrong until the belt was burning then broke. Replaced belt, same thing but cut the engine right away. Used breaker bar to turn the alternator which unfroze it. Car started no problem. I soaked the alternator in PB Blaster, and did it again about a month later. Haven't had an issue in over a year.