I picked up my XJ 2 days ago and like it so far. Well, for the $600 I have invested in it. I got the oil changed and the guys mentioned something about a pulley making noise which I had already thought was the problem and planned on replacing. Then, another guy piped in and said it was coming from the alternator. Essentially, the motor makes a sound very similar to a manual in reverse and increases/decreases with the RPM.

Does this make sense?

 

Sounds like bad bearings in your alternator.

 

well luckily im picking up a parts xj for $150 saturday. sorry for the wasted thread. ill swap it out before the other one heads for the junkyard, minus the other parts i needed. thanks for the help and confirmation!