Squealing belt - 2000 Cherokee Sport

Gulliver · #1 11-15-2003, 06:16 PM

On Wednesday of last week (11/12), I started intermittently hearing a squealing noise - like a belt squealing, on my 2000 Cherokee Sport (32K miles). It came and went so I thought maybe one of the belts needed adjustment and I'd take care of it next week (on payday). However, last night I was coming home and it started squealing, then the alternator gauge went down to zero and the "check gauges" light came on. I got home with no problem. The Jeep started up today with no problem, but it was still squealing and the reading on the alternator gauge was lower than usual. I plan to stop at the garage on Monday morning. I just hope it's a loose belt or something simple like that. Any ideas?

Many thanks,
Donald
Portland, ME

richpinkham · #2 11-15-2003, 09:42 PM

More than likely your Alternator has developed a prolbem and possiblily locked up causing the belt squeeling,check to see if it is turning when the engine is running. If it is, then check the rest of the pulleys as one is causing the prolbem.
Good Luck

proticus · #3 11-18-2003, 05:22 AM

definitely sounds like either your alternator's pulley bearings are shot, or it it binding internally. be very careful about driving with it like this. the friction between the pulley and the belt will heat to the point of causing a fire.

Gulliver · #4 11-20-2003, 07:58 AM

I took it to the garage on Monday. The mechanic replaced the serpentine belt. I think it needs to be adjusted. It still squeals a little right after I crank it. Many thanks for your replies.

clbelben · #5 08-21-2006, 08:04 PM

I have the same problem and after installing a new alternator, the problem is still there. My belts are all in really good condition. This leads me to believe that the problem is with the air compressor. Problem I have is I don't know what is wrong with the compressor, nor how to fix it. Any ideas?

fredjacksonsan · #6 08-22-2006, 08:40 AM

clbelben, you may want to start a new thread on that. And Welcome to AF.

When there's a squeal, try to locate it while the engine is running.

Make sure your tensioner is applying the correct amount of tension to the belt. There is an amount that should be being applied (I don't know what it is) but if too low it will allow your belts to slip/squeal.

Also, if you have a coolant leak, that could make the pulleys slippery enough for slippage.

Gulliver, you said that with the new belt, it squeals a bit when you first start up? Does it squeal at any other time? If it's just at startup, that would indicate to me that it's charging heavily at first. You may want to load test your battery to see how it's doing.

AlohaBra · #7 08-22-2006, 10:07 AM

There are several thinigs that causes squeal on my 97 4.0L...Fred mentioned one... leaking coolant from water pump or hoses...

The other thing I have done is to change the idler pulley or bearing if you can get just that...$12 for the whole thing...make sure it is the right one.
The belt needs retightening about a week after installation due to stretch. Add a couple of turns with the 15mm socket...loosen the 15 in front first.

The AC compressor...in super hot weather...has higher pressure than usual....and will cause a heavy load to happen when starting up. My house is like that too, you can hear it and when it was 120F out here it blew the circuit breaker. On my Jeep, I turn it on and if it squeals, turn it off, wait...do it again...and if it squeals, turn it off. Usually after 3 tries...it run OK. When the weather cools down, it no longer does it.....or if you take off without using it, the radiator flow seems to "cool down" the high side. I have checked all the pressure and they are OK.

longfellow · #8 08-26-2006, 08:17 PM

Alohabra,

I ask this question or something like it a while back about squealing belt.
Most generally when u get in your Jeep on a hot day the eng. has cooled down overnight or from a day sit.
If it,s real hot' I naturally turn on the a/c and belt enitially will squeal and
pitch of squeal will change with excelleration. In a very short period the squealing stops as eng. gets warm.After that' no more belt slipping problems.
I,m assumeing a/c compressor is in a cold high compression state when you first start it so it really loads the belt heavy at first.Therfore squeal at cold start up.
I believe i,ve read where belt tension by finger push in a no run condition should not deflect more than a inch of play. Any more than that is considered loose. Also a new belt after a short period of use will need to be re-tightened
as was mentioned from stretching.
Interesting discussion. , longfellow

AlohaBra · #9 08-27-2006, 10:46 AM

Then tension on a serpentine belt is a little tighter than that. In your case, I think a little more would cure your squeal. I actualy tightened mine finally and it is gone. I would recommend you add a little tension at a time until it is Ok. There is a special tool to measure the tension, but I don't have one.

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD