Intermitten squealing alternator belt under load. Need ideas

JohnnyC · Post by **JohnnyC** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 5:35 am

For some reason, whenever it gets damp or cold outside, my alternator belt squeals when turn on the lights and rear defrost. Sometimes just the lights alone will do it. I don't notice any dimming of the interior lights or anything, but it is pretty damn annoying and embarrassing.

I've replaced the alternator belt and then the problem seems to lessen a little bit, but ends up returning. I suspect I might have a short somewhere or maybe a bad ground or something?

I have gone in and re-tensioned the alternator belt a few times, but the problem still happens. This same problem has happened with three different alternator belts. I've also tried using belt dressing on the alternator belt as well. Still no dice.

Anyone else run into this problem before? Any idea what it might be or how I should go about fixing it? I'll happily answer any questions anyone might have to help diagnose the exact problem.

2000 Lanos 1.6L - No A/C

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 8:05 am

Is it not just ball bearing noise?

JohnnyC · Post by **JohnnyC** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 7:15 pm

Daniel wrote:Is it not just ball bearing noise?

It might be. You saying that my alternator itself is making the noise and not the belt? Then when I turn on the rear defrost or something the alternator suddenly starts making bearing noise?

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 8:15 pm

Ball bearing is a source of noise but I can't say you for sure it's the problem here. Defrost takes a lot of current from alternator and you may just have a slipping belt. If you had a short somewhere you'll probably got a blown fuse.

If I had to deal with such problem I'll first check that the belt is the correct OEM one for your car. I know some brands are stiffer than OEM.
I've checked with parts manual and there are two choices for Lanoses with PS (96144934 & 96352455) and two for Lanoses without PS (96144932 & 96352466).

Perform a visual check to be sure belt and pulleys are correctly aligned.

Try to use some anti-slipping spray available in DIY electronic shops.

daewoomofo · Post by **daewoomofo** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:35 pm

ive heard that some of the "oem" belts you get from autozone and stores like that are actually a little bit too wide for the lanos 1.6, that could be the problem

JohnnyC · Post by **JohnnyC** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 10:40 pm

I've tried anti-slipping spray... still slips/chirps/squeals.

I'll check and see about them being a little too wide. I know the one I have right now is OEM spec. It's just annoying that when I turn on my lights + anything or sometimes just my lights, it'll squeal.

daewoomofo · Post by **daewoomofo** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:54 am

does it continue to squeel after a min? if so id say tighten it a lil bit more, mine did that after i got my new belt, but i just got it a lil bit tighter and it stoped

JohnnyC · Post by **JohnnyC** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 10:30 am

daewoomofo wrote:does it continue to squeel after a min? if so id say tighten it a lil bit more, mine did that after i got my new belt, but i just got it a lil bit tighter and it stoped

Ummm... It generally only does it when I'm at idle somewhere and then start driving. Within' a second or two of the engine revving up, it stops. It only does it for an extended period when I have the lights, rear defrost, and it's been raining (damp outside). I'll try re-tensioning it again and see what that does. I've done it so many times... seems like I've gotten it as tight as it would go, but maybe not.

daewoomofo · Post by **daewoomofo** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 3:07 pm

are you useing some thing to get leverage when you tighten it or ar you just pushig with your hand? i use a 3 foot piece of stainless steel bar that i have laying around the garage to get leverage when i tighten my alternator, a broom handle cut doen would work just the same, even if you have lex hold the handel with the tension on it while you tighten the bolts

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 4:12 pm

The Lanos service manual refers to a specific tool to set belt tension. Do you have a trick to set the correct belt tension without it? Twisting the belt? Pushing with a finger to get a known flexion?
And how do know it's not overtight?

Audacity Racing · Post by **Audacity Racing** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:40 pm

Next time it's balls cold outside... retension before you start the car (and use a pry bar like mofo suggested)

The cold engine is smaller than a hot engine (literally). The belt is tensioned to the warmer size. This is why when it's cold or wet, the belt slips. The tighter you can get it when cold, the better off you are.

JohnnyC · Post by **JohnnyC** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:09 am

Cool. Good idea. I'll probably do that tomorrow morning.