hey i have a 96 explorer xlt v6 and my alt is a just about 2 years old and i noticed the other day that the battery light will come on every once in a while the volt gauge will only drop a tiney bit if it dropes at all i have herd a weard noise under the hood but never thought anything of it would u guys think the alt is going all ready?

 

Check all your battery connections and make sure they are all clean and tight. You can take the belt off and spin the alternator by hand and see if the bearings sound loud.

 

Your voltmeter will move slightly depending on load requirements and to determine how serious the noise you heard you will need a mechanic's stethescope. I think you may be worrying needlessly.