alternator belt squeals

[EclipseGSX1995]

My alternator belt squeals terribly when I turn on my headlights. Also radiator, brake and battery dashlights turned on. When the headlights are off the belt doesn't squeal. Belt itself looks tensioned properly. What can be causing this, maybe the alternator is going to die? Any suggestions

 

[92AWDHX40]

Adjust tension again.

 

[Demon33]

My alternator belt squeals terribly when I turn on my headlights. Also radiator, brake and battery dashlights turned on. When the headlights are off the belt doesn't squeal. Belt itself looks tensioned properly. What can be causing this, maybe the alternator is going to die? Any suggestions

I struggled with a similar problem for awhile. The belt would squeak on the first start in morning or when the car had been sitting for an extended period of time. Turning on the a/c, headlights and fan only made it squeak more.

I discovered that after the belt would squeak, the alternator pulley would be extremely hot! This led me to replace the alternator with a new one. I also replaced the belt at that time and tensioned it properly, but this did not improve or fix the problem so I returned the alternator.

In the end, I sanded the grooves of the old alternator pulley with sandpaper to give the belt a better, rougher surface to grab onto. I have never heard another squeak in over 3 months, even now that it's starting to get colder and with the headlights and a/c on.

 

[DxmaSonxM]

I also have the same problem. Except mines only during a cold start, lasts for maybe 50 seconds. And the best way to get rid of it is to adjust tension the belt. Its a common dsm problem.

 

[luv2rallye]

Not only recheck tension but also check belt itself for proper one to fit pulley (#grooves, width, etc) and also if the belt is worn out (turn belt over, look for cracks, pieces missing, not flexible anymore). You might just try replacing the belt.

 

[Absit]

In the end, I sanded the grooves of the old alternator pulley with sandpaper to give the belt a better, rougher surface to grab onto. I have never heard another squeak in over 3 months, even now that it's starting to get colder and with the headlights and a/c on.

You sanded a pulley that spins 116 times per second? Huh..

 

[zanderson]

You sanded a pulley that spins 116 times per second? Huh..

That's what I was thing.

 

[Lofty]

You sanded a pulley that spins 116 times per second? Huh..

Yes, this does work if you rough up the pulley a little bit.

 

[EagleTSIawd]

Dont overtight the belt or you might end up bending the shaft of the alt or mess up your water pump. I had the same prob, would only squeal at start up. I just took out the engine, inspected the alt pully and it was bent and it squealed when turned, the exact same noise i would hear.

 

[smprende10]

Mine did the same thing and the tension was out just enough to let it squeal when cool but not when warm. If its been doing it awhile would recommend going ahead a replacing the belt anyways. Always a safe bet.

 

[Demon33]

You sanded a pulley that spins 116 times per second? Huh..

That's what I was thing.

You know, it is possible to sand a pulley that's spinning at 0 time per second! It would be stupid and extremely dangerous to work on or around the belts when the engine is on. The engine was off and the alternator was removed for better access to the pulley.

 

[94-eclipse]

I had a sqeak problem with mine I figured it was a need for a new belt but I found out that my alternator pulley was loose woch make it sqeak and the tensioned was a little to loose after I fixed the pulley problem

 

[cam081409]

as i everyone else here i had the same prob on my 2g, replaced the belt, alt, 3 more belts (they all busted) But they would only bust at night with the headlights on and it would only squeak with the lights on. never figured it

 

[banichulo]

Ok my problem with the scratching belts seams to be much worst then everyone else on this thread. In last 5 month I have replace both the power steering belt and the alt belt 3 times and the damn thing steel screeches. If I accelerated to fast with my head lights on and the heather it starts to screech so I quickly turn off the heat, it's steel screeches until I flick the lights off and on again. I took the car go sears to see if they can make it stop cause obviously I can't and they told me my power steering pump bracket is bent

 

[dsm8883]

You are going to have to adjust the belts. Dsm's do not have auto tensioner's so just check the belts when you change your oil and check the car over. This is why most new cars have auto tensioners on them due to belts stretching.

 

[1991_talon]

Adjust tension again.

Yep thats it I had the same problem.

 

[GsXdSmKingGsX]

Adjust tension or apply belt dressing

 

[Lofty]

Adjust tension or apply belt dressing

Do NOT apply belt dressing. It glazes the belt and makes shit worse in the long run.

 

[luv2rallye]

Another possibility is a harmonic balancer (crank pulley) separation.

 

[joe_mopar]

I have sand blasted the pulleys and that cures the problem for a while, but also check for the belt tension and the belt rubbing on the timing cover.