I have a problem in my 52 plate wrx wagon.Looking form the front of the car a strange like scraping sound coming from the altenator area.Could someone tell me what is on the right of the altenator is it the power steering pump because it sounds like it is coming form there.If it is the power steering pump is it expensive and a difficult removal and installation.thanks

 

If you are looking at the car with the bonnet open , the a.c pump is on the right , are you sure its not just clicking in and out ....
Power steering pump is on the left ...

 

when you press the ac button it doesn't do anything could the ac pump be broken is that easy to replace also not to expensive.Is there any way you can bypass ac pump to stop the noise because i rarely use aircon.

 

it sounds like either the pump has burnt out or the idler is knackered. You can just revove the AC belt mate if you dont use the air conditioning

 

is the ac belt separate from the alternator and power steering.Does the ac belt not drive anything else.

 

Mate my advice to you would be to take it to a specialist straight away. I had a strange whirring noise on mine and it was the timing belt rubbing on the anti jump guides. If I had of left it much longer or just hoped it would go away my belt would of broke

 

Yes the AC belt is separate from the alternator and PS mate it will not affect anything else once removed.

 

Check the PS pump oil level they dont need to drop much to start makeing a noise when hot.

 

when I changed my thermostat I took out my radiator and disconected the pipes
to the ps pump going over the radiator to gain access to the thermostat.
when I put everything back together and was driving my scoob it was making
the same noise you are describing.
it took me a little bit to figure out that the fluid level in the ps pump was low from
a small amout of ps fluid that had leaked when I disconected the pipes.
I topped up the ps fluid and left the ps cap loose and started the car and started
turning the steering wheel left to right full lock and the whining noise which was very loud
started to get lower and lower untill it was not making any noise at all then I put the
ps cap back on properly and for me it was problem solved.
give this a try mate and see if it helps

 

+1 my ac belt snapped and still eating for a new one.