Belt squeak at idle with lights on??

[JoEgsX90]

Does anyone know why would there be a belt sqeak at idle, but its only when i turn on my headlight??

 

[Achelea]

Accessory belt is not tight enough.

When you turn the lights on it makes the alternator work harder, and since the belt isn't tight enough/straight enough, it slips.

Want me to explain how?

 

[thewombis]

Accessory belt is not tight enough.

When you turn the lights on it makes the alternator work harder, and since the belt isn't tight enough/straight enough, it slips.

Want me to explain how?

I have no idea where you are going with that.. but the belt could be to loose, or to tight... 98% to loose. When the car is at idle, lets say it sits at a steady 750rpm.. When you turn the lights on, it draws JUST enough current to have a negatvie effect on the entire power system of the car, this results in weaker "everything" which in turn makes your car idle at lets say 738rpm. This small change is just enough to be different that it squeaks. nothing major.

just trying moving the belt a little.. should fix it self.

^^ based on my own theory.

 

[DarkMyrakul]

dude i hate arguing on threads but i agree with Achelea. What happens is that the belt is loose and when you turn your lights on the power regulator in the alternator notices the power difference and tries to get the power back to normal by working harder...thus putting more pressure on the belt and making it squeal.

 

[DSMopar]

I have no idea where you are going with that.. but the belt could be to loose, or to tight... 98% to loose. When the car is at idle, lets say it sits at a steady 750rpm.. When you turn the lights on, it draws JUST enough current to have a negatvie effect on the entire power system of the car, this results in weaker "everything" which in turn makes your car idle at lets say 738rpm. This small change is just enough to be different that it squeaks. nothing major.

just trying moving the belt a little.. should fix it self.

^^ based on my own theory.

Lawl that's a good one to bring to a thermodynamics class .

Conservation of energy dude, just like the first poster said the alt belt is loose... Tighten it problem solved...

 

[Defiant]

Any time there's belt noise on a DSM, check the harmonic balancer:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/pro...-just-time-pics-video.html?highlight=harmonic

 

[RayBan GST]

fix the belts ASAP , try to adjust them as soon as possible before its too late

i ignored them once and i paid a LARGE Bill for changing my WATER PUMP ( bad belts = so many bad things , alternator , Water pump , pulleys )

the worst is the water pump failure as you really need to remove the timing belt with it.


good luck

 

[DSMopar]

fix the belts ASAP , try to adjust them as soon as possible before its too late

i ignored them once and i paid a LARGE Bill for changing my WATER PUMP ( bad belts = so many bad things , alternator , Water pump , pulleys )

the worst is the water pump failure as you really need to remove the timing belt with it.


good luck

What ? What shady ass mechanic fed you that line?

 

[RayBan GST]

what is wrong in what i mentioned???????

check on the Water pump instruction itself ( if you tighten the belt to much or if its loose you will increase the wear on the pump and will result into early failure)


please correct me if i am wrong

 

[DSMopar]

Too much yes, you put additional load on the bearings. Too little... no, you will just wear your belt out faster.

 

[96ETT]

Too much yes, you put additional load on the bearings. Too little... no, you will just wear your belt out faster.

You are correct with this one.

To the OP, you need to tighten your belt for sure. Last weekend I changed out my belts and had the exact same thing happen to me and that is all I needed.

 

[cmptrphreak]

Make sure your battery clamp is tight and clean. It can cause more load on the alternator. Just use water and keep pouring it on the terminals too get rid of the battery corrosion.

 

[Demon33]

Any time there's belt noise on a DSM, check the harmonic balancer:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/pro...-just-time-pics-video.html?highlight=harmonic

+1! While I agree with tightening the belt first, if the squeak doesn't go away afterwards, you should look into the harmonic balancer as a possible culprit. I had a major squeal on cold startup that was not only annoying but embarrassing too. I tried tightening the belt multiple times without any improvement to the problem. And although my harmonic balancer 'looked' good I went ahead and changed it anyway. Problem solved! I have not had even the slightest squeak from my belts!

Upon inspecting the old balancer, it was clearly on its way out. The rubber separating the two halves of the balancer was dry and cracking. Glad I caught it before it completed fell apart.

 

[96ETT]

Make sure your battery clamp is tight and clean. It can cause more load on the alternator. Just use water and keep pouring it on the terminals too get rid of the battery corrosion.

Sorry but there are MUCH more efficient ways of accomplishing this than using water. In fact I have never heard of using plain water to clean corrosion. Coke works ok but not tap water. But instead of trying to passively clean them just put some elbow grease into it with like some 100 grit sandpaper and you can make them terminals shine. I have always used plain old sandpaper to clean metal contacts and battery terminals with great success.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

Best way to clean battery terminals period is baking soda. Just sprinkle the baking soda all over the top of the battery and add a little water and watch it start bubbling. Let it sit and bubble for a few minutes and then just rinse it all off. If you really want to get it clean just agitate it with a toothbrush or something while it's bubbling. This procedure is the easiest and fastest in my opionion and everyone has some baking soda sitting around somewhere.

 

[Demon33]

Sorry but there are MUCH more efficient ways of accomplishing this than using water. In fact I have never heard of using plain water to clean corrosion. Coke works ok but not tap water. But instead of trying to passively clean them just put some elbow grease into it with like some 100 grit sandpaper and you can make them terminals shine. I have always used plain old sandpaper to clean metal contacts and battery terminals with great success.

^+1. You can use baking soda (not baking powder) and water to neutralize the acid/corrosion around the terminals and then use the elbow grease. In the end, I think manually cleaning off the terminals with an abrasive is the best, as it removes corrosion, oxidation, dirt and exposes new, clean conductive surfaces.

 

[gascap777]

Why not just use a battery terminal cleaner brush? They're like 2 bucks. Cheap and easy, Just how I like it!

 

[turbotemper]

Well my belts have started to make a bit of screeching as of this week and have the same issue with the lights or any type of power draw like brake lights. I noticed today when i was down there trying to tighten the belt that the tensioner bolt threads had been stripped/stretched while trying to tighten/adjust the wrong way. I did my alt like 5 years ago and i never found instructions as to how to correctly install and adj the tension on the alt bracket. It has never had a problem before now and im stuck with no ride atm and cant get another bolt from the hardware store! At least until 6 when its dark out and no light outside around my car. I guess ill be using my coleman LED lanterns in the rain tonite ### its not supposed to stop raining till monday.

I thought about this option:
A few washers around the head of the tension bolt to cover the 1/2 in of stretched threads to allow the section with threads to be used (plenty).
But...will the washers stay crushed between the tensioner flange (the u shape where the bolt lays so you can tighten it up/ put tension) and the head of the bolt??? Im worried about the washers sliding of the flange.

Help please

 

[96ETT]

I thought about this option:
A few washers around the head of the tension bolt to cover the 1/2 in of stretched threads to allow the section with threads to be used (plenty).
But...will the washers stay crushed between the tensioner flange (the u shape where the bolt lays so you can tighten it up/ put tension) and the head of the bolt??? Im worried about the washers sliding of the flange.

Help please

I wouldn't try this because all that will happen is those washers will slip off and throw the belt and not be pretty. Then you would really be SOL.

 

[turbotemper]

Yea thanks for the info. That what i keep thinking will happen.
I didnt like my other option to much
Im waiting to go get a new bolt

 

[KayTeeGST]

I know this post is old but my BF and I put the wrong bolt for the alternator tightener on it had 2 washers on the bolt the washers wouldn't come off I didn't think it would affect anything but I continued forth with putting everything in I was able to get belt tightened and everything good to go when I was done I looked over everything alternator was a little cockeyed . So I started it to see what would happen it started right up and but I turned off instantly it was squealing so loud and the pulleys were turning but not the belt the belt was on all the way and secured. So my question is was it the washers that caused it to be cockeyed ?! Or is it something else ?!

 

[ThunderChild]

Need more info, explained a bit better (or with pics) to give u any help.

 

[KayTeeGST]

It is tighten but it's cockeyed a little do you think it's the washers though ?? i took out the bolt haven't had time to get another one yet .

 

[rough]

The bolt is probably bent!

Replace with the following parts.

Pivot nut: MD133152

Pivot bolt: MF140033

Tensioner bolt: MD133180

 

[rough]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/how-to-tension-alternator.492659/#post-153513764

Probably the Pivot bolt.