My car makes a really HIGH pitched squeaking when I start and sometimes when I'm driving...?

Question

Ok so my car is a 1996 Mazda 626 (i dont know if that matters)

I have a bad starter, and my car would take a good 5 or 6 times to start the car, and when it did start it would squeal so d**n loud. Initially I thought it was my starter, causing the squeaking....well about 2 weeks ago my starter gave, so today im installing a new starter.

My car would also squeal sometimes when I was driving, which leads me to believe it's some kind of belt...well some people told me it may be, so I bought some "no squeak" stuff like that. Well I sprayed it a few times, and it didn't really work...

Should the new starter help with the squeaking and stop it? Or should I KEEP trying the belt lube??

THANKS EVERYONE....

Answer 1

The squeal is most likely caused by a belt slipping on a pulley.  This is usually because the belt has stretched and now is too loose.  The belt that runs the alternator needs to be fairly tight (does not deflect more than 1/4 inch when pushed on between pulleys).  The alternator can require up to 5 horsepower worth of power transferred through the belt.

If the belt is tight, then you need to look for something else wrong.  Usually it will be a bearing in the alternator.

(The "bad starter" diagnosis could be related to a slipping alternator belt.  This would cause the battery to be charged at less than full charge.)

It sounds like you also have an ignition system problem.  If the ignition is in good condition, this vehicle starts on the first try... every time.

To answer your last question, a new starter will not help or stop the squeaking.  Rather than keep using the belt lube, find out the root cause for the belt squeaking and correct this.

Answer 2

sounds like te cambelt is slipping.

Answer 3

Get the alternator drive belt tensioned correctly, if it has been squealing for some time it may need replacing.

Answer 4

you need a new serpentine belt and have the belt tensioner checked.

Answer 5

its either going to be that your serpentine belt is loose or to tight, u need a WD40, or try checking to see if you have a bearing on the pulley

Answer 6

Adjust the belt.

Answer 7

Sounds like your drive belt. Make sure they are tensioned corretly, if so they may require replacing.

Answer 8

Serpentine belts never use belt dressing!  Replace the belts now you have to clean all that gunk out of the pulleys try carburetor cleaner steel brushes you have to get all of that gunk out of all those grooves good luck