Belt squeal problem
 

I have a 98 Civic ex that will give a terrible squeal when the RPM's get to 3,000-3,500 but only when the A/C is on. If I turn the A/C off the squeal stops. I usually have to turn it off to stop the squeal if, say I get stopped at a light, then get started again. I think that my belts all need replaced because they have a annoying squeal, not as loud as the pre-mentioned squeal, and I really would like to know how hard or how easy is it too change them out. Also, I would like to know if the squeal from the A/C is the belt or something other than the belt. Thank you

Well depends on when you got the belts.

if you got the belts about 1-2 years ago & they don't have any cracks or splits, then they might not need to be replaced. I believe your alternator needs to be tighter to the belt, try that first before getting parts.

Well depends on when you got the belts.

if you got the belts about 1-2 years ago & they don't have any cracks or splits, then they might not need to be replaced. I believe your alternator needs to be tighter to the belt, try that first before getting parts.

I'll take a look at the alternator and also I don't know when the belts were purchased. I bought the car 1 year ago so had to be longer than that. I did apply a small amount of a belt spray to them and the annoying usual squeal went a way for a couple weeks then now is back. the a/c squeal seems to have been since last year when i got the car but it doesn't squeal the belt when the a/c is on and the heat is on also, during the winter. when i turned the defrost on it also turned on the a/c like the two buttons worked together, something about dryer air to defrost the windshield.