Why is my car making a screeching noise when I start it?
If you ever hear a loud engine squeal or screeching noise when starting your car, it could be a sign of a bad serpentine belt or an alternator that is failing. A bad alternator is the most common cause of a car that squeals when starting.
Why does my serpentine belt only squeal when it’s cold?
Cold weather is notorious for making these noises much worse. Of course, cold weather can cause squeaks and squeals to come from any number of components in your vehicle. If the serpentine belt is not directly making these noises, then the noises may be caused by one of the engine accessories.
How long can I drive with a bad serpentine belt?
How long will my car run with a broken serpentine belt? There are a few variables involved in the answer, but it should be able to run between 20 to 90 minutes. If it is a hot summer day, your engine can overheat very quickly without the coolant being pumped through the radiator.
Why is my belt squealing when I accelerate?
This is a common sign of a loose or worn belt. When this happens as you press the gas pedal and the belt goes from a relatively low speed (at idle or when first starting the car, no speed at all) to a much higher speed as the engine accelerates, this can cause the belts to squeak.
Why does my serpentine belt make a squeaking noise when I start the car?
A squeaky belt can indicate several different issues. If the noise only occurs when turning, starting the engine, or accelerating, it probably is a worn or loose belt. A constant squeal may mean the tensioner system or a pulley is damaged. Diagnosing the sound is the first step in how to make a serpentine belt stop squealing.
How can you tell if a car belt is a chirp or a squeal?
One method to determine if the noise is a chirp or squeal is to use a water squirt bottle and spray the rib side of the belt while the vehicle is running. If the noise gets louder, it’s a squeal. If the noise goes away, it’s a chirp.
How can I tell which belt is making the noise?
To determine which belt is making the noise, the best practice is to ask an assistant to start the engine while taking a look under the hood. Modern vehicles typically have one or two belts: A single serpentine belt that drives several components or a separate one for the alternator. Older vehicles may have a series of belts.
Why does my Toyota Corolla make a whine when I start it?
Your Corolla’s serpentine belt is responsible for taking the motion from the crankshaft, and using it to turn all of your accessories. When it goes bad, it’ll cause a high pitched whine. This is particularly true when you first start the vehicle. There’s more on this in the whines while starting section directly below.