Squeal Stops when A/C is ON??

2000 Alero in which the belt squeals when the A/C is turned off. I had the water pump replaced right before it started happening. I tried a belt lube, but to no avail. Please Help!!

Welcome to AF!!

Change the belt and the belt tensioner. When the ac comes on it puts additional pressure on the belt which stops it from squealing. When the ac is off the tensioner is not strong enough to hold enough tension to stop the squealing. Both are relatively easy to change and should cure the problem

I'm past 60K miles and was thinking about chaning the belt and tensioner as well. How much is the tensioner? I've replaced the belt on my past car and on my mom's car but never the tensioner.

I think I may replace the alternator too while I'm doing the belt. It's bound to go soon anyway...

- Jeremy

Tensioner costs around $30 from Rock-auto.com. Don't waste your money changing the alternator until it goes bad. At 60K you have a lot of mileage left in it and they are quite expensive if you buy a new one.

Thanks for the advice GTP. I'll give it a shot.

Not to be contradictory but it sounds like the bearings in the A/C clutch. The clutch locks which stops the bearing from rotating when the A/C is engaged (ON). The bearings spin when the clutch is off. Just my opinion.

Not to be contradictory but it sounds like the bearings in the A/C clutch. The clutch locks which stops the bearing from rotating when the A/C is engaged (ON). The bearings spin when the clutch is off. Just my opinion.

I had the same problem on my 96 Grand Am GT 3.1L... although, the noise was very different from a Squeeling belt.

I agree with the tensioner, try the cheapest thing first. BTW.. my 3.1 is a similar setup, and a shop charged around $200 for a new belt and tensioner. Watching the mechanic do it (normally I do everything myself, just no time then) I realized it was the best $200 I've ever spent:p What a major PIA that was.

Good Luck,

It turns out it the clutch on the condensor did not have the appropriate sized gap for when it was disengaged. Therefore, the pulley was grinding on it when it was stationary. It cost $40 for labor at my local shop and works like a champ.