Loud screeching when starting car

1999 BUICK REGAL
20,000 MILES • 1.2L • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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CARMANE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
When to turn the car key over in the starter the car makes screeching sounds. I’ll leave it sitting for days then come back and it does not make a sound. I’ll leave the key on the start and it starts the loud sounds again. Everything works but the car doesn’t catch the belt to start. Before it was having late starts and sometimes I’d have to start it twice so I can start. I don’t know what is causing this. I want to know so I can get the part to fix it. People tell me it’s the alternator then the starter. Which one? This problem happened when I just finished getting gas.

Engine is a V6 3.8L.
Jul 8, 2019 at 3:25 AM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,394 POSTS
This could be alternator, AC or other accessory on the front of the engine locked up. The screech is likely the belt. To check it you could just remove the front belts then start the engine and see if the screech is gone. If it is go to each of the items the belts turn and see if one or more is seized or very hard to turn. Then you replace the hard part.
Jul 8, 2019 at 6:37 AM
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