Power Steering Noises

[Noddi]

Hi All fellow Alhambra drivers

I was driving along yesterday when suddenly the 'alternator' warning light came on and the 'alternator workshop!' messaage flashed on my dashboard. The engine kept dipping and the volt meter needle kept dropping, I turned all the electrical stuff off that was on but that didn't make any difference this went on for a few minutes. I was just slowing down to stop when all the warning lights went off and everything went back to normal. So I carried on my journey, I did notice that there was a rumbling noise coming from the engine bay at very low speed or when turning the steering wheel and putting full lock on. I manged to get back home ok, just with all the rumbling noise etc at low speed i.e when parking.

I have checked the car this moring and there is no obvious sign of anything wrong, I have no warning lights and the volt meter is staedy a 14v, the fan belt looks in good nick and there doesn't appear to be anyhting loose. When I start the engine though,it is noisy and rumbles at idle. When I turn the steering wheel on full lock either way the noise get louder...also when turing anything elctrical on. But when you apply a little throttle it all goes quiet and behaves as normal!

So, does anybody have any clues/ideas as to what it might be?

I drive a 1.9 TDI SE with 85k on the clock.

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[MJ]

The alternator pully is buggered mate, its a seperate part from the alternator(even though its attatched).
The noise is like a knocking/squeeling I imagine?

 

[Gj Moss]

Noticed our fan belt was squeaking a bit at idle this morning as we set home from our summer holiday in Cornwall - just North of Bristol on the M5 a flap, thud & alternator light later it would seem the belt had given up the ghost!

Made it home though (a further 50miles) with no over-heating (electric water pump on the diesel?) & some muscle work-out on the roundabouts without power steering.

Concerned the actual pulley on the alternator doesn't look right - hope Halfords have one in stock to compare. Will try fitting a new belt regardless.

Easy DIY job? Anyone got any advice?

 

[Gj Moss]

Well, one new alternator later, and thankfully covered by the warranty we bought, our Alhambra is up and running again.

Think the part was original, so it covered 84k miles and 7 years.

 

[geomaxa]

i have a 2.0 petrol would a failing alternator pulley make the car overheat, i also have a squealing chirruping noise on full lock and my steering seems to slip , also goes very hard to steer in the rain then will clear itself and drives fine please does anyone have a clue as i dont, im guessing the pulley is knackered but can that cause all the other symptoms