I would first check the timing belt/chain and alternator pulley for any odd damage. Its possible the timing is off, or the belt/chain was put on incorrectly.
I would check your power steering fuild.
It could be a bearing in your alternator that has gone out. Start your car and do whatever it takes to reproduce the sound. When the vehicle is making the sound, put a screw driver against your alternator and put your ear against the other side of the screw driver. If you hear the whining noice clearly through the screw driver, it's probly the alternator. Move the screw driver around the area and see if the noise that is passed through the screw driver is louder anywhere else, besides the alternator. If not, it's coming from your alternator. You can use a long screw driver or any solid piece of material, but the handle of a screw driver is a little more comfortable against your ear than other options.
The alternator is somewhere around $125. Not sure what labor would be, but plan on at least a $100 for it. Changing the alternator yourself isn't really a difficult job - See "Related Questions" below for more
The rattling noise is in there so you can move the head around.
Changing an alternator isn't GENERALLY a difficult process. I'd estimate around an hour of labor - so whatever they charge per hour plus the cost of the alternator. Possibly a couple a hundred bucks.
Whining has been around since the beginning of time. It is just a way to show your disapproval or dissatisfaction with the current event. It comes naturally to most animals and humans.
There are several scenario's that may cause the engine to rattle. 1. The air condition has a pulley that wraps around the compressor and alternator. If that belt is loosen and hasn't been tightened it will make a rattling noise.2. The motor mounts may be worn and need to be replace.
The alternator is driven by the serpentine belt. Follow the belt around the engine and you will find the alternator.
We replaced the alternator on 2 different vehicles. It was around $175 for each.
To change the alternator belt on a Fiat Cinquecento, first ensure the engine is off and cool. Loosen the tensioner bolt and remove the belt from the alternator pulley. Install the new belt by routing it around the pulleys as per the belt diagram, then adjust the tensioner to ensure proper tightness. Finally, double-check the alignment and tension before starting the engine.
if the car doesn't have an automatic tensioner than if the belt is around the alternator pully you loosen the bolt holding the alternator on and move the alternator to tighten the belt.
Stator