Exposed how? The factory wiring is opened up? Do you have a picture?

Technically wiring is waterproof, so for water to cause issues would mean open conductors or damaged wiring or some other defect causing water to short out two electrical leads. Wet wiring alone doesn't cause this. Of course, it's tough to say without seeing what exactly you mean by exposed wiring.

If it's just the wires dangling, you could use some wire loom (available at auto parts stores, and electrical tape them up. Should help keep water out short of a soaking pooling type of water.

 

It will be hard for me to take pictures now. Let me explain though.

The wires coming from the underneath of the car with a black cover. When it comes to the socket part, I can see different colors of wires coming out of thick wire and goes into the socket.

Those wires and the socket itself it just out there. I'm just guessing this is the reason. Better ?

 

update. Still help needed....

 

your explanation is rough. So i'm understanding, the wires (close to the O2 sensor) are exposed. Meaning the insulation is broken and you have metal wires sticking out. Correct??

 

I have recently replaced both my belts (AC and drive belt) on my 04 G35X 79K.

After replacement, I kept hearing squeaks where I thought it was a loose pulley or something.

Its really bad after a cold start. Takes around 1 min to become normal. Rarely does the same noise after red lights as well.

However I stopped by my mechanic and we found out that it's the alternator. (Most likely)

We both listened with mechanic stethoscope/earpiece. It was coming from the alternator, power steering was quiet.

So what should I do?

If its just a pulley or bearing, can we do it by ourselves?

Or is it better to get a rebuilt alternator? If so which brand and from where? Are they exact fit or universal fit?

Approximate cost?

He told me that I should be get it fixed quickly as it might fail soon.

Any help is appreciated.

 

On rockauto they are about $100-160 after core Exchange. You need to add in shipping cost to and from. Also, if you order from there, search for coupon codes for a discount.

 

That's what I'd do.


If you can afford to wait 3-4 days....Rockauto.com is the place to go. There's a 5% discount if you search the term "Rockauto discount code"

 

That's weird, its a classic "loose belt" symptom, but you say you changed the belts. Did you check the belt tension with a gauge? You may have a weak spring in the tensioner.

 

another question. which brand is better? TYC? Quality Built? Denso ? REMY?

or are they all the same ?

 

well, the mechanic checked the tension with his hands. But when we listened with the stethoscope, it was coming from the alternator. Could we be wrong?

 

Could be, but none of us are really there to do the diagnosing, therefore we really can't be sure. I've had experience with a bad alternator bearing causing such a noise, so it could happen. Whether or not that's the case for you is really up to you to figure out unfortunately.

Could be loose belt, bad idler pulleys, bad bearings in any of the accessories such as A/C or alternator.

I do know from past experience, when i installed my new belts, about a week later they started to make noise. The belts stretched. I had to go under the car and tighten them up a tiny bit more. Been fine since, but now 30K miles later, i hear a little noise on cold startup. My idler pullies look a little worn, so i'll be replacing them both ($40 for both @ rockauto.com) and tightening the belt up a bit more as well.

 

Denso makes a lot of oe parts for Japanese cars, so that's where I would spend my money.

 

The fact that you said "Its really bad after a cold start. Takes around 1 min to become normal." tells me that it's the alternator. When you do a cold start and after it's been sitting all night, your battery is lower in voltage. The alternator pulls harder to make it up and that's when you get the noise. Once the battery reaches full charge, the pull on the belt is less and the noise goes away. Here's something to try. After the noise goes away, drop to idle and turn one everything you can, lights, AC, run the windows, turn on the rear defroster, wipers everything and see if it starts to make noise. If it does, it's NOT the alternator, it's a loose belt.

 

Agreed. They make a lot of OEM parts so it's probably what I would buy


I'd try to tighten the belt a little bit and see it that helps first before buying parts.

 

problem solved.... you were right... tightened a bit....squeak is gone for good....

thank you all....