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by Leslie Peak on June 11th, 2005

Leslie Peak

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What does it mean when a belt on your car squeals and then the battery light comes on? The battery is fine and so is the alternator. It seems that the belt squeals when the AC or heater is turned on.

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  • by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on September 23rd, 2005

    8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009

    If it happen's with both the A/C and the Heater, the only common element there is the blower fan which is an electrial load; the A/C doubly so as the A/C clutch is electrical in nature. That plus the battery light would point towards the alternator belt slipping.
    More electrical load = harder to turn alternator. That makes it more likely that the belt will slip... loudly and with enough of a voltage drop th trip the battery light.

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  • by TheBigHairyGreek on August 8th, 2005

    TheBigHairyGreek

    This doesn't account for the Heater, but a squealing belt when the AC is on could mean that your compressor is bad. Your compressor runs off the belt, though the shaft in the compressor is only turning when the clutch on the compressor is "engaged" (when your AC is on).

    If bearings are bad in the compressor, it could be difficult to turn, causing your belt to slip and squeal.

    Or, the shaft could be bent, and the squealing you hear could be it whistling as it grinds away inside the compressor.

    Or, the system could be overcharged (too much freon).

    In other words, check out your compressor.

    A good way to do this is to turn on your car, and listen to the compressor engage and disengage. If the squealing only occurs when the clutch is engaged, it's almost certainly your compressor.

    If the squealing occurs when the clutch is not engaged, check your tensioner.

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  • by Megamuzik on June 14th, 2005

    Megamuzik

    Squealing may be caused by a bad or loose fan belt.. have it checked before it breaks

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