Saturn '96 SL2, R/O Idler Pulley and/or Alternator

[pcofranc]

My 1997 SW2 is making this same noise but the idler pulley has been replaced a few months ago.

[pcofranc]

My 1997 SW2 with 136K makes the same noise but I already chanced the idler pulley. Tonight the alternator died. The head lights kept getting dimmer.

When you say idler pulley do you mean the pulley on the tensioner? or the seperate idler pulley in the center?

[pcofranc]

I installed a new belt on my 1997 sw2 and the belt started making noise about a week later. The tensioner seems really strong, I could barely get the new belt on. I then put baby powder on the belt and that got rid of the noise for a few days. But then the chirping came back. Two months went by since the noise first started then the alternator failed tonight.

[pcofranc]

I installed a new belt on my 1997 sw2 with 136K miles and the belt started making noise about a week later. The tensioner seems really strong, I could barely get the new belt on. I then put baby powder on the belt and that got rid of the noise for a few days. But then the chirping came back. Two months went by since the noise first started then the alternator failed tonight.

[rkellyforums]

Thanks for updating us and tell us what it was. It sucks when people post saturn problems but never tell us how it was resolved. Thanks!

[pcofranc]

I agree. Even if you took it to the dealer or sold the car state what you did about the problem.

[samchungrrt]

Forgot to update this video. Mine turned out to be the Idler Pulley. It's whisper quiet now. I went and changed out the tensioner and serpentine belt while I was tinkering in the area. The top engine mount was around $20, so I went and swapped that out too (since I had to remove it to get to the Idler Pulley)

[pcofranc]

My 1997 SW2 is making this same noise but the idler pulley has been replaced a few months ago.

[jyounya]

My sc2 is making the same noise...I am going to swap out the idler pulley this weekend to see if that fixes it.