2009 Toyota Matrix 1.8L, 160K miles. I replaced the belt last year for preventative purposes, and for the past 2 weeks I've been hearing this chattering/tapping noise from the belt side of the engine. It seems to being getting louder and more constant. I took the beauty cover off and stuck my ear next to the alternator and i'm almost positive it is coming from the alternator. My question is if this is normal part of aging and should I simply replace the alternator? Is this an easy fix for a DIYer? Are there bearings inside the alternator that eventually go bad? It starts fine and runs great, haven't noticed any alternator problems. Thanks!
Replaced the alternator and everything is working with no chattering! Took me just over 30 minutes, no problems with the swap. Thanks!
Well done..
ASAP if you don't like walking. But make sure to check the belt tensioner and other pulleys to narrow down the problem. Don't just throw parts at it until something works.
Yes, bearings in the alternator do go bad.
Take the belt off and see if there is any play in the bearings, or roughness when you rotate the alternator shaft (or in the tensioner or other items on the belt).
Ok. So best solution is to replace the alternator? Can I drive with it the way it is for a while since it's just noise or does this need to be replaced ASAP?
Great job, and I know replacing the alternator fixed it. For posterity sake, in case it helps someone else, here is a YouTube video of what the tensioner pulley bearing sounded like clattering on my 2004 matrix XR. You can replace the pulley for 20 bucks, but you have to have a special socket from https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D4NB2ZC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_5DXQ30MNT2JMNV64PNBE?_encoding=UTF8&psc= 1" target="true">Amazon. Otherwise you have to replace the whole tensioner for around $120.
That is the exact noise, thanks for the upload!