2000 Pontiac Firebird alternator problem?

2000 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
63,500 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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JLYNN
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2000 firebird sometimes makes a knocking noise when you start it. also alot of rattling under the hood. local chevy place told me the a/c compressor was coming apart on the inside and would need to be replaced because one belt powers the whole car and when it went out i would be stranded. quoted me over 1400 to fix it. i got another mechanic to look at it, who said he didn't hear any noise coming from the compressor, only the alternator was rattling a little but he didn't think anything needed to be fixed. i have to drive my car out of town in a week and a half and i'm really concerned about it. a month or so ago, i was having problems with it starting, it acted like it wanted to die, the service engine light even came on. the chevy place put a new ignition coil on. thanks for any help.
May 29, 2008 at 9:25 PM
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LEGITIMATE007
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
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first of all ,no dealers, no dealers ,no dealers, in my opinion they are huge rip offs. take it to a local repair shop and always get a couple of opinions. see if you can pinpoint the area that its coming from, (where the belt is, upper engine, front of engine etc..) then we can try to single it out
May 29, 2008 at 11:57 PM
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LEGITIMATE007
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
also make sure you have oil, always important, most important, if oil is low ,it can cause a knock too.
May 29, 2008 at 11:58 PM
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JLYNN
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thanks. hopefully we found it. my dad drove it today and it wouldn't start on him at lunch. they think maybe it's the starter? i had told the chevy place sometimes when you turned it to start it, it did nothing, but would usually start the 2nd time. unbelievable they were going to charge me over 1400 for a new a/c compressor.
May 30, 2008 at 5:38 PM
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LEGITIMATE007
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 5,121 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
your welcome, anytime
May 30, 2008 at 6:11 PM
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