L322 4.4 petrol Aux belt slipping -causing issues ?

*possible silly question*

So the L322 has been running beautifully, everything was nice and lovely.

And then I started to get a squealing from the aux belt (I assume) especially when cold.

Was considering replacing but noticed that I was getting some odd errors and that the reported voltage from iid was fluctuating between 11.9 and 14 but never consistent.

Naively I assumed that it should be around 14v with the engine running and wondered if the slipping belt was interfering with the alternator and charging.

Today the battery is gubbed at 9V

So…. I likely need a new battery. But could the alternator be screwed too ? I didn’t have any warning of an alternator failure.

I can try changing the belt (is it a pig of a job ? Rave makes it sound easy but I can even see the bloody thing !)

Or should I be looking at. A new alternator ? -how much of a pain is that to change ? -I know it was simple on the P38 but again…. It’s likely buried in the guts somewhere…

Thanks again for your help (and empathy !)

Bob

Sounds like the alternator is gone which was causing the squealing

Just my luck.

I did think the voltage flying about like that was a bit odd

I’m popping this here for future reference:


I wonder if the smell i thought was stray oil burning was the rubber from the belt or the alternator cooking

Have the battery actually checked, then inspect the belt and the pulleys as well as few change the pullies when the belt is done. Then check the Alternator output before slinging one in there.
Check the ground circuit and live circuit for continuity.

That sounds like good advice.

The battery has actually bounced back and I was able to start with a noco.

The squealing (from the general alternator area) was loud in startup and the battery voltage was dipping below 12V.

When the squealing stopped the voltage kicked up to 13.9-14 V -so the alternator is at least working some of the time.

I’ll change the belt and upper tensioner to see if that helps -and if not, here’s a company nearby who can refurb the alternator for a fraction of the price of a replacement.

Will keep you posted