Pontiac Repair: 1999 Pontiac Sunfire, switching gears, pontiac sunfire

Question
Hi Todd, I have searched this site and a multitude of others and I have not been able to find an answer that fits my problem.  Here is my problem!  I was driving in heavy traffic this morning during the first great ice storm of the season, and just before I got my destination a seemingly 'whining' noise began coming from under the hood.  The noise was not present when idle at a stop light, it seemed like the brake pedal had a bit of a vibration, and when I began to drive this whining noise seemed to mimic the RPM of the engine, the noise grew louder just before switching gears (it's Automatic) and lowered when the gear switched.  Also when I turned right the noise was quite present.  When I arrived home and opened the hood the noise seems to be coming from one of the belts near the alternator.  Any ideas?  I don't want to get killed at a garage!!  Thanks for your time.

Jeff

Answer
Hey Jeff:

Well it could be 2 things it could be the alternator it's self but truning the wheel shouldn't affect it unless just the engine load slowing down makes the noise change. The fact that it changes when you turnm the wheel makes me think it's a power sterring issue where it's low on fluid. Check the level in the pump if it's low there is a leak. The alternators on these cars do have a tendency to whine as well and as the electrical oad changes the noise is worse. turn on the headlamps,read defogger,hi blower fan etc and see if that chnages it is fo it's more than likely the alternator on it's way out. Just a quick check. Good luck :)