I removed the fan assembly so that I could get to the belt tensioner and removed the belt. The alternator spins freely. I reinstalled the fan assembly and started the car and ran to the front to watch for smoke. I saw through the vents in the alternator housing, sparks for only a moment, then they dissappeared not to return, no whining this run and still no smoke. I checked the voltage at the battery terminals and got 14 at first , then they dropped after 15 minutes of running to 13.7. With the headlights on high beam, and the internal blower fan on high, I was only getting a reading of 13v. I did detect a faint smell of plastic heating during the 15 minutes of run time but never saw any smoke this time. I test drove it down the street at a high RPM hoping to hear whining or see smoke. Neither occurred. Seems to be operating correctly now, but I don't think I trust the alternator and probably should replace it.