Loud belt squeal

JITHIN MATHEW

MEMBER
2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
3.3L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
202,000 MILES

Every time I start the car, I could a hear really loud belt squeal. I replaced the belt with a belt from advance auto parts store and it was still doing it. So I bought OEM belt from Toyota and installed it and is still doing the same thing. This never happened with my original belt. When the car is running, it doesn’t make that noise. I don’t see any pulley misalignment. I’m not getting any battery light or check engine lights.

Video (Click to make bigger)

5 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

You are on the right path. This is either a belt or it could be a pulley. Let's just confirm it is coming from the belt driven system and remove the belt and start the vehicle. If it doesn't make the noise, get a can of WD-40 and use the straw and spray each pulley individually to see if you can make it not do it. More then likely this is the idler pulley but let's go step by step so we don't replace any parts that are not needed.

Here is a guide that helps with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/chirping-noise

Let us know if it does not do it with the belt off and then put the belt back on and try the spray lube and see what happens.

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Sunday, May 31st, 2020 AT 6:22 PM

JITHIN MATHEW

MEMBER
62 POSTS

Hello, I recorded a video for you. If you listen closely you could hear a rubbing noise. I checked all the pulleys and they are solid and not moving.

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Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020 AT 10:03 AM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Yeah. I suspect one of the bearings in a pulley is the issue. You more then likely will not see the pulley wobble until it has pretty much failed.

Does it make this squeaking noise every time you start the vehicle? What happens if you start the engine, hear the squeak, shut it off and then start it back up? Does it squeak again?

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Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020 AT 9:02 PM

JITHIN MATHEW

MEMBER
62 POSTS

Yes it does. But I found out that when turn the key to the accessory mode first and wait couple seconds and then start it, it doesn’t make the squealing noise. If I start quickly, then it will make the noise.

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Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020 AT 10:10 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

That is odd. Can you remove the belt and see if it ever makes the noise? This noise sounds exactly like a belt but that wouldn't care if you turn the ignition to the on position and wait so lets see if it is even related to the belt/pulley system. If it still makes the noise with no belt, the only pulley it could be is the crank and that is unlikely. So if it still makes the noise then we have another issue that we will have to figure out.