Apparent alternator drive gear whine?

[Bshef]

I have a 2006 GL1800 with about 12000 miles on it. There seems to be a loud whining noise coming from the alternator area. I have unplugged the wires to the alternator but that did not change the whine. I have read a couple of articles about the drive gears for the alternator making noise. Has anyone else out there experienced this same noise? Is there a better drive gear or damper available on the newer bikes that could be retrofit to an older bike? Thanks for any info, Bob Shefelbine

[gareva1]

The 06 would have the newest alternator style and gear assembly...no chance you have the extended warranty huh? As the noise gets worse (more like someone dropped a bag of rocks into the engine), the engine has to come out to replace the parts that will go bad eventually, but is usually covered under warranty...

[gareva1]

Now just a whine may not necessarily end up with a blown alt drive...some bikes whine their entire lives, some don't, it seems to just be luck of the draw....most do it more in 4th than any other gear...I'd start to be concerned if the noise gets more abrasive sounding...

[myYellowbird]

I have 2010 1400 miles on it has a loud whine thought it was coming out of the speakers. Seems to quiet down some after warming. After reading some post hoping this is normal. Also hear a transmission whine hoping this is normal, gas mileage seems be anywhere from 36 to 40 miles per gallon depending on how i ride.

[jerryd15]

So thats what that is. Mine does it in the higher gears at slower speeds. (40). It has always done it and I hope it is not a problem. I have and 05 with 15k miles.

[Bouvier1]

I only seem to get a whine when the wifes on the back.

Bouvier1

[GreenDragon]

I prefer a dry red, Syrah or Malbec.

[JerriEric]

My '06 has developed the whine for the past 10k or so. I don't wear a helmet so it is very noticeable. I rented a Wing in FL that had a loud whine. It was really irritating. Bike runs perfect but I am wondering if it is the alternator. I am heading on 94,000 miles now. It's actually to the point where I hope Honda comes out with a Wing I like or go to HD so the loud pipes will drown out any extraneous noises. But that may not solve the issue. Never had the whine before. Thinking a new alternator may be in store. All suggestions will be appreciated.

[seeberluca]

Hi guys, after a long inaction in the forum, not due to my will, I'm back. I decided to reopen this post because having the same problem I solved it.


it was a long and expensive job and it was caused by two different problems:
one related to the alternator bearing radial ball and the other related to the primary drive gear.
I am preparing a report for the entire job and I will post it next days with all the photos in order to let you identify the affected parts.

[AZgl1800]

Hi guys, after a long inaction in the forum, not due to my will, I'm back. I decided to reopen this post because having the same problem I solved it.


it was a long and expensive job and it was caused by two different problems:
one related to the alternator bearing radial ball and the other related to the primary drive gear.
I am preparing a report for the entire job and I will post it next days with all the photos in order to let you identify the affected parts.

Waiting with bated breath to see your report on that....
especially as relates to the Primary Drive Gear, is that the ADG for the alternator?

Looked up where you live, wow!
hope to visit there some day.

[seeberluca]

IN Europe there are the Goldwing Proshops and they are specialized in selling and repairing Goldwing. I went there to get the job. The symptom on my bike was not only the whining noise coming out from the alternator area: some times, always in this area, there where some ticking mumble . Not always and anyway hard to hear. This ticking was heard first time during the software reset after the airbag replacement procedure (Honda recall). The engine was running during the reset and inside the shop was very quiet, the bike was on the hydraulic stand and the mechanic ear close to the engine. The diagnose was the bearing ball broken of course, but not possible to identify exactly where.
So the engine has been removed and opened:
After the CRANKCASE COVER removal they decided to replace all the bearing:
The friction for alternator driven gear was very high, the output shaft was in not perfect condition but none of them was the cause of the “ticking”.
Finally they find out that inside the primary drive gear assembly something was not working properly and the assembly was replaced as the other bearing.
The alternator driven gear was the cause for the whining noise. The alternator itself was in perfect condition so it was not replaced.

photos will follow asap. I don't remember how to post them

[seeberluca]

This are some pictures of the job
Into the primary drive ass. the 91027-MCA-003 BEARING, NEEDLE (36X41X18.3) , the 28110-MCA-000 GEAR, STARTING DRIVEN (46T) and 28125-MN5-014 CLUTCH OUTER, STARTING have been replaced

[seeberluca]

other photos
up to now there is no idea why there was this type of problems.
My Goldwing has 89.000 Km and the maintenance program was always executed by Honda and at the right milage.

[GoldWingrGreg]

Was the ticking kind of tinny and coming from the LR side of the engine ???

[seeberluca]

It was something like a glo-glo-clack then clack-tic-tic then clack-clack-gloglo but only every now and then and at minimum engine rpm and very a
hard to hear. At the beginning it was supposed to be the alternator so the noise location was in the alternator area.

The mechanic says noise was caused both from GEAR STARTING DRIVEN (46T) and the bearing needle

[GoldWingrGreg]

On 5th gens, ADGs can make lots of noises all of which can be considered normal. Many ride to my shop to have me listen to theirs. Some make no noise while others are more noticeable. ADG noise can get better or worst by changing oil, changing oil bands, and oil weights. The key to knowing what normal is, is by listening to many, over many years. Outside of their noise changing from oil types, weights, and oil age, a "normal noise" does not get worst as the miles increase on the Wing.