1994 Ford Probe squealing!!!

1994 FORD PROBE
99,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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SKYSDALIMIT
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Alright here's the situation...sometimes when I start my car it squeals extremely loud from under the hood. I was thinking it was the alternator but my dad doesn't think so. Then I thought it was the belt, but it wasn't. And when I used to have subs in my car it was worse when I had them on. Also when I use heat or air conditioning it gets worse too. At night when I drive it squeals as soon as I turn my lights on. WHAT'S THE DEAL????
Oct 21, 2008 at 6:15 PM
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BLACKOP555
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sounds like its the belt. what shape is it in? try some belt dressing.

sounds like it may be loose or worn.

why it squeels when you use a electrical component that draws alot of energy is that the alternator gets harder to turn as it is drawing more energy and if the belt is loose it can slip.
Oct 21, 2008 at 7:28 PM
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SKYSDALIMIT
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The belt is in good condition and is fairly new. I tried belt dressing and the squealing will stop for a couple minutes but starts up again. I tried tightening it but it had no effect on it.
Oct 21, 2008 at 9:02 PM
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BLACKOP555
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sounds like the belt may be shot, is it glazed? pulleys glazed or dirty? take belt off, noise stop? any pulleys make noise when turned by hand?
Oct 22, 2008 at 7:35 PM
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OBXAUTOMEDIC
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Hello,

If I may, it sounds like it is most likey the Idler puller or the tensioner pulley bearings. To test....

Have a can of spray lube wd40 or similar on hand then with vehicle off find the pulleys....

Spray the center bolt of ONE of the pulleys and start vehicle if squeal is gone repplace that pulley...

If noise is still there turn vehicle off and spray the other pulley and start vehicle if squeal is gone replace that pulley.....

If squeal still there just repeat on all pulleys till find culpret....
Oct 22, 2008 at 7:41 PM
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BLACKOP555
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try and keep her off the belt thought just to add on to obxautomedic says.

great tip there.
Oct 22, 2008 at 7:53 PM
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SKYSDALIMIT
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Well I think I'm going to try a new belt and I'll let you know what happens.
Oct 22, 2008 at 8:16 PM
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BLACKOP555
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will be awaiting your reply, if you need any further assistance dont hesitate to post back.
Oct 24, 2008 at 10:44 PM
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SKYSDALIMIT
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well i put a new belt on and it did NOTHING...
Oct 27, 2008 at 6:31 PM
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BLACKOP555
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as in didnt fix anything or the noise didnt stop?
Oct 27, 2008 at 8:12 PM
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SKYSDALIMIT
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the noise didn't stop and it didn't fix anything. i pretty much wasted like $10 on something i didn't need.
Oct 28, 2008 at 6:46 AM
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SKYSDALIMIT
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AHHH IT'S FIXED!!!! My daddy realized the alternator belt just needed to be tightened :] I'm so excited!!! NO MORE SQUEALING!! (no more embarrassment) haha I know it's really not that exciting but I'm a 17 year old girl what do you expect?
Oct 28, 2008 at 6:00 PM
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BLACKOP555
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glad to hear you got it fixed, and i wouldnt be schocked if that belt went bad from it being loose and squeling.
Oct 28, 2008 at 7:42 PM
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SKYSDALIMIT
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would you suggest replacing it right away?
Oct 28, 2008 at 10:01 PM
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BLACKOP555
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check it over for cracks, glazing and cuts.

if it looks good i wouldnt replace it right now.
Oct 29, 2008 at 4:03 PM
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MABBOTT
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I am with obxautomedic if the belts themselves are not lose or making the noise make sure that the pulleys are turning
Jan 9, 2009 at 12:57 AM