I've been getting a whine from the front of the engine for several Months now. I even let the car sit for almost two Months earlier this summer because I didn't have time to investigate which component was the source of the whine. I finally removed the serpentine belt and spun all the driven components (alternator, air pump, water pump, ps pump, and idler pulley. All spun freely with no binding, looseness or noise. So back on went the belt and I lived with the whine (my simulated supercharger whine). This afternoon I drove out to Northridge to pick up supplies. Less than one mile from my vendor the radio starts acting up and engine stumbles a bit. Uh-oh, voltage gage is at 8 volts! I had already called Thomas *** to make sure he'd be around (my planned 2nd stop). I called again to make sure he has an alternator available, yep. I go a ways further, accidentally overshooting my vendor. It stalls at the light. When green I jump out and start pushing. Fortunately out pop 3 Hispanic Gentlemen from the truck behind me to help push it across the intersection and into the parking lot. Of course the driveway approach is too steep and we stall out. I jump to the back to help push with more force. A lady offers to steer and were back in business. Parked it in an open parking space, thank everyone and start making my calls (AAA, House of Camaro and my vendor). The vendor closes at 4:30. It is a little after 3:00. AAA tow truck (flatbed) shows up at 3:30. My under-tray GFX block access to the tow hooks. No problem. Luckily the parking lot is sloped and I'm pointed downhill. I just roll onto the flatbed and were good to go (after secured). I explain to the tow truck driver that my vendor will close at 4:30 and probably won't have time to get the alternator swapped and be back. He kindly offers to stop there on the way and wait for me to get the product from my vendor. Then we're off to House of Camaro. I'm back on the road before 5 PM. Thanks to all.

Lon

 

Nooooooo!!!! My Z is making a whine too at the front and I'm leaving for Kansas next week for the SCCA Nationals!!!!

Glad eveything worked out for you!

 

Ahhh, the dreaded alternator whine, I know it well. Better pick up a new one Glenn. Just ask Kevin about road trips and dead alternators.

 

I remember when MY alternator decided to not work anymore,
I was cruising out to my girlfriends (ex) house to pick her up and she lived out in the middle of nowhere and I was drivin when I notice the radio doesnt work, and its all running kinda bad, and I see the volt meter is all the way down, I couldnt go faster than about 5 mph for about 20 minutes, it kept backfiring and the headlights were down to just a little glow, it was a dark night and I couldnt see ANYTHING. when I got there I shut it off and it was wayyy overheated because the fans were not getting power, after i got the alternator in it worked fine tho.

 

My alternator whined for two months before it died. It drove me crazy cause I couldn't tell where the sound was coming from! At least now you know what *that* sound was.