Over the last couple of days I noticed two things:
1) A higher pitch whine over the engine.
2) a burning smell...acrid like brake use, but also like plastic.

Today I took a longer drive - when I came to park it, there was smoke coming from under the hood in the general area of the alternator. I only replaced the damn thing less than a year ago. I know they can fail...but I want to make sure it's that. I did manage to make it home (some 40kms) and by the time I got home, it wasn't smoking, but the smell remained.

Other notes - I have a less than perfect Volt reading in the car - 12.3/12.3 when driving, 11.8 when idling. Now that sounds low. Am I correct? Wipers were slower that usual. etc.

Am pretty sure it's the alternator, but can it act like this when on the way out?

I am hoping its nothing more than this....

Thoughts anyone?

 

Sounds like the alternator is seizing up.

But worth it to check your other accessories and tensioner pulleys to make sure they're spinning free and not the source

 

+1 on alternator as it should output around 14.4 volts when working properly

 

Alternator replaced under warranty? Now pulling 14.4 running?