Hey everyone! I'm really a loser when it comes to actual mechanics and troubleshooting stuff so.....

Whenever I start my car, usually after it has sat cold for about 2 hours, (mostly) in the morning as well, there is this VERY high pitched squealing sound coming from under my hood. I poped the hood in the middle of the squealing a couple of times and its the loudest around the alternator. I checked the belts, and they seem to be fine (they have a little give and are in average condish.) and I have no idea if its the alt. How tight should my alt. drive belt be?? I have no idea what is causing this sound and I'm worried I'm doing damage!! The noise disappears when the engine has some time to warm up and get going. Takes usually a minute... I thought I'd see what you guys think. Oh yeah, the 'round thingy' on the alt. that the belt goes on is usually really hot after I run the Sidekick. Is this normal? Do I have to replace the alt? Napa has a replacement alt for $250 CAN, or I can go to Peace Auto Electric and get it worked on for like $90 + parts. I DON"T KNOW WHAT TO DO! Please help me oh ZUKI GODS!

steveo

my first and only guess about that is the belts.  tighten the alt. and P/S belts or replace them it they are cracked.

stu

my first and only guess about that is the belts.  tighten the alt. and P/S belts or replace them it they are cracked.

stu

Yep...

When you enging is cold and the belt is at its hardest, you start the truck and the altenator is going full tilt trying to recharge the battery.  That's when you get the squeal.

When it's hot the belt is more plyable and soft.  So it grabs the pully better.  Plus the engine is easyer to start when it's hot and needs less power from the battery.

I'd replace the belts and make sure their tight.

just add a bit here, first i totaly agree with the above.  but, if that doesnt fix it, it could be a bearing in the alt, had that happen to my g/f kia sportage.  when it warmed up it would go away, just like a belt, but was not the belt.  really doesnt cost much to have a alt rebuilt if you have to do that and you remove it yourself, good luck, i hate it when a car squeels like that.

Thanks guys! I'm picking up new belts on Monday and if that doesn't work, I'm pulling the alt. out and going to get it rebuilt. AND IF THAT DOESN'T WORK :-/, I guess I'll replace the alternator.

steveo

It's the belts, no worries, just replace and tighten good

Wild

Squeeling belts just need a bit of belt dressing and you're good to go.

Yeah, I tried the belt dressing, and it helped... a little... but the squeals returned after about 18 hours.

steveo

Your belts will harden(glaze over) after a few times slipping and squeaking like that. You can keep tightening all you want and the squeak will return. New belts ought to fix it
Zig