V50 Engine 2.0D : - A slight whine/humming noise - Page 2

Shedburner · Nov 19th, 2011, 10:24

Got the same noise coming from my V50 2.0D. my friend took the alternator belt and the noise went away, so not the turbo thank god. But we could wobble the pulley on the air con compressor so thought it could possibly be the bearing gone in this.
I haven't done anything about it as of yet. Was just hoping to get some feedback on here, wouldn't want to spend £300 on a a/c compressor only to find out its the alternator.
But looks like from all the posts.........could be the alternator.

blacklab · Nov 19th, 2011, 10:27

Lol, just replied to your post!

DavieC · Nov 22nd, 2011, 15:26

Just an update, I was cleaning the car and had a look under the bonnet at the new alternator. I was thinking I'd maybe see a volvo or ford logo somewhere, but no it's only a genuine GM one.

138gat · Nov 22nd, 2011, 18:46

Mine sounded just the same last year, (04 2.0D S40) only lasted a couple of days before i got the "power system service urgent" warning and the alternator packed up. £185 inc vat from local auto electrician for a exact match 150 amp

alexstanley · Nov 24th, 2011, 12:34

Had the exact same issues - whining noise from the engine bay. Suspected the alternator but thought i will get it looked at in a day or two (got to get work etc etc!).
Bad idea! If you have a whining noise and smell metal overheating get it changed pronto! You do not want to be limping home from work at midnight with heavy fog and rain when it finally packs up - I lost the lot: fog lights, full beam, power steering, abs, srs and almost head lamps, the dash looked like Blackpool Illuminations - not fun!
I managed to pick up a new alternator for £160. It was a 120amp for my V50 1.8. Took two hours to change myself and was a bit tricky - took a while to get the connecting cables off the old unit.

Bendolfc · Nov 24th, 2011, 12:38

Replacing it with another 120 is probably false economey, ideally you should fit a 150A and have volvo update the software so it knows about the larger one.

As to the earlier question, I beleive originally they used the 120A on cars without heated seats and 150A on cars with them, at some point they changed to 150A regardless due to the failure rate. That said, the 150A ones fail too, although in my case probably down to the missus love of the heated seat.

blacklab · Nov 24th, 2011, 19:56

Alex - How did you know how much tension to put on the belt when re fitting it? Bit of a guess type thing??!

blacklab · Nov 26th, 2011, 17:25

Update....

Went down the road from home 500yds and guess what the dash lit up and the battery light came on along with the message!
Will get it booked in on Monday to have the alt changed.

So to sum up, if you hear it make the noise you don't have many days before it packs up!

Nov 19th, 2011, 10:24	#11
Shedburner Junior Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2012 20:06 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Kettering, Northamptonshire	Got the same noise coming from my V50 2.0D. my friend took the alternator belt and the noise went away, so not the turbo thank god. But we could wobble the pulley on the air con compressor so thought it could possibly be the bearing gone in this. I haven't done anything about it as of yet. Was just hoping to get some feedback on here, wouldn't want to spend £300 on a a/c compressor only to find out its the alternator. But looks like from all the posts.........could be the alternator.

Nov 19th, 2011, 10:27	#12
blacklab Senior Member Last Online: Jan 19th, 2024 19:56 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Swansea	Lol, just replied to your post!

Nov 22nd, 2011, 15:26	#13
DavieC Member Last Online: Jan 11th, 2023 12:55 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Forres	Just an update, I was cleaning the car and had a look under the bonnet at the new alternator. I was thinking I'd maybe see a volvo or ford logo somewhere, but no it's only a genuine GM one.

Nov 22nd, 2011, 18:46	#14
138gat 138gat Last Online: Mar 29th, 2020 13:40 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Burnley	Mine sounded just the same last year, (04 2.0D S40) only lasted a couple of days before i got the "power system service urgent" warning and the alternator packed up. £185 inc vat from local auto electrician for a exact match 150 amp

Nov 24th, 2011, 12:34	#15
alexstanley New Member Last Online: Nov 24th, 2011 13:10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Matlock	Had the exact same issues - whining noise from the engine bay. Suspected the alternator but thought i will get it looked at in a day or two (got to get work etc etc!). Bad idea! If you have a whining noise and smell metal overheating get it changed pronto! You do not want to be limping home from work at midnight with heavy fog and rain when it finally packs up - I lost the lot: fog lights, full beam, power steering, abs, srs and almost head lamps, the dash looked like Blackpool Illuminations - not fun! I managed to pick up a new alternator for £160. It was a 120amp for my V50 1.8. Took two hours to change myself and was a bit tricky - took a while to get the connecting cables off the old unit.

Nov 24th, 2011, 12:38	#16
Bendolfc Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 21:46 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Liverpool	Replacing it with another 120 is probably false economey, ideally you should fit a 150A and have volvo update the software so it knows about the larger one. As to the earlier question, I beleive originally they used the 120A on cars without heated seats and 150A on cars with them, at some point they changed to 150A regardless due to the failure rate. That said, the 150A ones fail too, although in my case probably down to the missus love of the heated seat.

Nov 24th, 2011, 19:56	#17
blacklab Senior Member Last Online: Jan 19th, 2024 19:56 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Swansea	Alex - How did you know how much tension to put on the belt when re fitting it? Bit of a guess type thing??!

Nov 26th, 2011, 17:25	#18
blacklab Senior Member Last Online: Jan 19th, 2024 19:56 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Swansea	Update.... Went down the road from home 500yds and guess what the dash lit up and the battery light came on along with the message! Will get it booked in on Monday to have the alt changed. So to sum up, if you hear it make the noise you don't have many days before it packs up!

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