today i pulled into my driveway and let it idle for a few to read a piece of mail. well i heard a loud noise from the engine like the fan was hitting something plastic so i checked it out and it was fine but the noise never stopped. My dad says it's the alternator that's going bad and the iner spinning piece is hitting against something inside of it. does anyone else have any idea on what the sound could be or if this happened to your alternator? thanks

 

Try to isolate the problem before you start replacing things. Are there any other symptoms? Any idiot lights on? If you're having trouble finding the source of the noise, try holding one end of a section of hose (anything works, 2-3 feet long is best) to your ear and move the other end around the engine compartment until the new noise is the loudest. Keep us posted on what you find; I'm sure someone here will be able to help you out.

 

I owned an 88 a short while back... if it is the alternator, it is easy enough to find out. If I remember, the alternator belt is separate from all the others.. if it is, just take it off, and see if the noise is still there.

 

You can take the belt off by removing just one bolt. It's also easy to take your alternator off, takes about 30 minutes. Check here

http://www.toyotaoffroad.net/afertig...torbrushes.htm