I know, sounds like a silly question, but I've never had an alternator problem unless it was dead. It didn't make any noise before expiring.
Earlier this year, the 2011 Regal CXL with the 2.4L engine developed what sounded like a belt noise. I promptly had the belt replaced (at 85K miles or so). However, the sound (a metallic whine, though not loud) continues. When the car is cold, I don't usually hear it on start-up. I do hear it after 20-30 minutes of driving, say to work or back home, and then when I re-start the car it crops up again. It seems to come and go, does *not* happen only when the compressor is on for A/C, and sounds mechanical and not like a squealing belt. The sound seems to be coming from the alternator or someplace close by. It's not the power steering; the fluid is fresh, changed earlier this year by yours truly, and at the proper level, nor does the sound vary when I work the wheel back and forth.
Alternator?
Earlier this year, the 2011 Regal CXL with the 2.4L engine developed what sounded like a belt noise. I promptly had the belt replaced (at 85K miles or so). However, the sound (a metallic whine, though not loud) continues. When the car is cold, I don't usually hear it on start-up. I do hear it after 20-30 minutes of driving, say to work or back home, and then when I re-start the car it crops up again. It seems to come and go, does *not* happen only when the compressor is on for A/C, and sounds mechanical and not like a squealing belt. The sound seems to be coming from the alternator or someplace close by. It's not the power steering; the fluid is fresh, changed earlier this year by yours truly, and at the proper level, nor does the sound vary when I work the wheel back and forth.
Alternator?