Played a little too hard in some muddy water the other day and now there's a horrible screeching sound coming from the area of the alternator. Just wondering if any of you guys have had similar problems after getting water sloshed around in the engine bay. And is there a fix for it short of replacing the alternator?

EDIT: just came across this thread that kinda helps-
https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2/showthread.php?t=28579&highlight=alternator+noise

But if anyone has any other advice to give I'd much appreciate it.

 

Pull off the belt and spin the alternator by hand.See if it feels like it turns smoothly.You may have just glazed the belt.
Was the alternator submerged?

 

No it was never submerged, and I'll pull the belt off and give the pulley a spin to see how smooth it is.

 

You could also have a tensioner or idler pulley on it's way out.Pretty common problem with these trucks.

 

the same thing happened on my old ranger one day after doing some cleaning under the hood. they told me it was a spun bearing in the alt.

 

Same thing happened to me, by mine would only squeal under a load like havin the A/C on Max along with the headlights and fog lights all on at the same time. I thought it was my A/C Compressor because it would quit squeling when i turned the A/C off, but come to find out it was my alternator causing the problem. Like bikerboybobh said, i guss to many engine cleanings done mine in...

 

Well it was DEFINITELY the tensioner pulley, I pulled the belt off and spun that thing and it screeched at me, haha. Got a new pulley for $10 and I'm good to go again. Thanks for the help

 

yeah it was crazy i was doing 70 on the interstate then as soon as i exited she started sreaming