click to download noise.mp3 - 27KB file The recording isn't too good (did it with my cell phone) but that's pretty much the noise. It's not VERY loud, but definitely audible.

This has been plaguing me for a while. The noise comes and go seemingly at random. Initially I thought that it only makes it during a cold start and disappears after the engine's warmed up, but that wasn't the case. Then I thought that it only happened on damp and cold humid days (rainy days) but that's not it either, as it's doing it right this moment and it's about 75-80 outside and sunny and dry!

I can't seem to narrow it down by listening closely, but it appears to be coming from the front somewhere around the fan, or possibly the alternator. Maybe someone who has heard it before can tell what it is right off the bat?

Could it be the crankshaft pulley/harmonic balancer? Or an alternator going bad? The voltage coming from the alt. appears to be good... Also, replaced all 7 accessory mount bushings today (A/C and alt) and the noise is still there. I thought maybe the belts were out of alignment or something, but nope!

Thanks a lot.