96 Windstar whining somthing???

I have a 1996 Winstar, A/c just stoped working and is not turning on the compressor.Now I have a whining noise comming from the left side of the engine compartment.The noise varies with the rpm sounds like car has a blower fitted (I wish) Before all this started there was a loud taping sound when the van was started cold in the morning which went away after about 5 minutes of driving. Hope you guys have a clue as I dont could change lots of parts before I get the culprit.

Dambuster

From my experience with Fords I would first check the power steering pump. Ford PS pumps are notorious for making noise. Is the fluid up to to proper level and clear/clean? Are the bearings whining or is it the belt wearing out? Also check your AC compressor for bearing noise as well as the alternator. I use a piece of wooden dowell about 12 to 18 inches long to locate noises. Put one end against the suspect part and one end against your ear. Be careful of belts, etc. I prefer a dowell over a hose because my hands don't have to get near moving parts.

From my experience with Fords I would first check the power steering pump. Ford PS pumps are notorious for making noise. Is the fluid up to to proper level and clear/clean? Are the bearings whining or is it the belt wearing out? Also check your AC compressor for bearing noise as well as the alternator. I use a piece of wooden dowell about 12 to 18 inches long to locate noises. Put one end against the suspect part and one end against your ear. Be careful of belts, etc. I prefer a dowell over a hose because my hands don't have to get near moving parts.
Thanks for the info tried your dowel idea and strongest noise is from the alt. I was suspecting the serp belt and the tension pully what do yo think as the alt is working fine good charge but that does not mean the bearing is not screwed..

Alternators will make a little more noise that the other belt driven pieces because of the brushes (swishing/rubbing noise). Is the alternator making more of a thumping/grinding noise? Is it running really hot, like can't put a hand on it hot? If so consider a bad bearing in the alternator, I had 2 in a Blazer go that way (the original at about 70,000 and a rebuild from Autozone 3,000 later).

Kind of difficult to get your dowell on the idler arm near the idler pulley, but pulleys are known to die, sometimes with spectacular results (bits of belt everywhere). Replaced the one in my '98 Windstar at about 100,000.

OOPS! Let me make a correction - I don't think modern alternators have brushes, although they still tend to be a bit noisier than the other accessories when normal and very noisy when bad.

OOPS! Let me make a correction - I don't think modern alternators have brushes, although they still tend to be a bit noisier than the other accessories when normal and very noisy when bad.
Well got tha van sorted out, it was the tension pully and the serp belt that was causing all the racket, fixed the aircon aswell it was the module on the right side of the engine compatrment got a replacement from a recker. thanks for all the help.