Suddenly my alternator has made a loud grinding rattling noise, and the voltage sways all over and as i accelerate the voltage drops down and my bat light comes on then the voltage goes back up. What could be wrong?

 

It sounds like you need to get your alternator rebuilt. If you want, you can do it yourself-they're real easy to do.

 

how can i go about that and how much

 

When i do a rebuild, I just order everything I can find for the alternator. Then, I take it apart and replace all the parts I recieved. I can't explain to you exactly how an alternator works, but I can throw one together pretty easily. You should be able to go through Auto Zone for a rebuild kit.

As far as how I do my alternators-I clear off a surface about the size of a beach towel. Then, I take apart the housing, slide out the main part inside(brain fart-can't think of it's name), and then take apart any small parts at the ends of the housing. You're gonna see some magnets at one end of the housing. Those are the contact brushes for the spindle with all the winding on it. You want to make sure you replace those magnets while you have it apart anyways.

If you're on a budget, you can get away with just taking apart the alternator and finding what's broken. If it's the spindle with the winding, it may be cheaper just to get a new alternator. I'm not 100% sure on that part though. When putting it back together, it's gonna be a little tricky getting the brushes back onto the spindle, but with a little patience, you'll do it. There's no way to rebuild this without sliding the spindle out though, so don't think you're gonna get around that part! haha

I can't tell you how expensive it's gonna be though. Like I've told people before-I work for the govt. I just do the work and let someone else worry about finances.

 

Heck just go buy a good new quality Alternator for whatever there are nowadays..$$180?Least everything including the magnets are new.

 

I believe I paid 199.00 (includes tax's)for a new one from Autozone with a life time warrantly. (about a year ago) good thing I did, for the new one went out and autozone replace it for free.