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ignition squeal

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Old Sep 4, 2008 | 06:14 AM
  #1  
a553487's Avatar
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Default ignition squeal

So yesterday in the morning I turn the ignition and as the engine turns over I hear a loud screeching noise that when away as the engine spooled up. I turned the car off then turned the car on again. Same screeching noise just less in duration for normalcy. Turned the car off then turned the car on again no screeh.

Came out today. Did the same exercise above...Screech..off... Shorter screech..off...No screech

any suggestions?
 
Old Sep 4, 2008 | 06:37 AM
  #2  
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Alternator belt.

Right after starting the engine, the alternator is working real hard to recharge the battery. If the belt is loose it will squeal. The first start is worse because the battery is a little more run down then from the car sitting overnight.
 
Old Sep 4, 2008 | 06:37 AM
  #3  
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^ditto
I had this problem like a week ago so I retensioned all my belts and the sound went away.
By the way, the alternator is a pain in the *** to tension by yourself, have someone hold the alternator in place while you tighten the service bolt.
All of the other drive belts have bolts that you either loosen or tighten to adjust the bolt, but on the alternator there is a bolt you loosen and then you have to manually pivot and hold the alternator to the desired belt tension while you retighten the service bolt. I don't know what they were thinking when they designed that.
 

Last edited by trustdestruction; Sep 4, 2008 at 06:41 AM.
Old Sep 4, 2008 | 07:03 AM
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You need a straight metal bar about 2 feet long. Use it to pry between the alternator and the engine after you loosen the top bolt, making the belt tighter. Pry on the core part of the alternator not the aluminum ends. Not a lot of force should be required. Holding the bar in one hand and using the other hand to tighten the bolt, it can be done with one person.
 
Old Sep 4, 2008 | 09:39 AM
  #5  
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Yea, I know it can be done individually, but it's still a pain because of the tight space that the bolt you have to tighten is in. I could barely fit my ratchet into that small space. It would just help to have someone hold it with the bar while you tighten it.
 
Old Sep 4, 2008 | 10:18 AM
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It sounds like you have an issue with you belt, make sure it's not worn and fitting correctly.
 
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