I'm like 99% sure all I need is an alt.

 

I'm a bit puzzled by that one. Even if the alternator bearings were the source of the noise, I think the electrical portion wouldn't necessarily be affected.

I wonder if the belt is slipping due to a tensioner problem. I'm not 100% convinced of that, however. The lights should still run from the battery even if the alternator had failed.

What we do know is the tensioner bearings are shot, as you said the pulley didn't spin freely. It should spin smoothly with little resistance and practically no noise. As previously mentioned, you can probably get new bearings for it. The whole tensioner unit is only around $50.

I'd suggest starting with changing the known bad part, either the whole tensioner or just the bearings. While you have the tensioner loose, check for free spinning on everything driven by the belt. It should be easy to tell if any bearings are bad.

If the whine is still present even with the new tensioner, but all bearings felt okay, it's a guessing game where the fault is. If still having the electrical issue, then it must be time for an alternator. One word of caution: This unit has Jag-specific guts. Other models will fit and charge just fine, but the battery light will be on. If your existing alternator has failed, it's best to have your unit rebuilt or purchase a Jag-specific replacement.

 

I already have one on the way from rockauto, it's a denso. I would have thought that if the alt failed, or was failing,there was no way the battery could put out enough current to run everything...