Car was making this awful squealing noise

MARBRI315

MEMBER
1993 SATURN SL1
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
151,000 MILES

I replace the alternator, and serpantine belt yesterday as the car was making this awful squeeling noise and the alternator was not charging as it should. Eventully resulting in it not charging at all. The mechanic said when it did run before he replaced these things he could watch my engine run but my belt would not turn. I got it back yesterday and it drove home fine. I started it this morning it was about 25 degrees last night and after about 1 monute of running the belt started to make the same noise again, after about 5 minutes of driving and the noise getting worse the noise stopped. During the noisy time I would say the lights were somwhat dimmer also, as thought the car were under some sort of load. What the heck it the problem my guess it if gone unchecked I will wreck the belt and alternator again along with some other more expensive parts?

1 Reply

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

It sounds like the belt is slipping off of the pulley(s). This can be due to an old belt that has been glazed over and does not have enough traction to be able to spin the pulleys. Other possibility is that the tensioner is not providing enough tension to the belt, and it is slipping due to being loose.
If the alternator does not get charged the engine will shut down after battery has been depleted.
It will also make it difficult for the steering wheel to be turned.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-serpentine-belt-tensioner-works

I have attached diagrams for your reference.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.

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