1994 Ford Probe squealing!

Tiny
SKYSDALIMIT
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 FORD PROBE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 99,000 MILES
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?
Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 AT 6:15 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,386 POSTS
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.
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Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 AT 7:28 PM
Tiny
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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.
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Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 AT 9:02 PM
Tiny
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?
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Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 AT 7:35 PM
Tiny
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.
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Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 AT 7:41 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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Try and keep her off the belt thought just to add on to obxautomedic says.

Great tip there.
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Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 AT 7:53 PM
Tiny
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  • 7 POSTS
Well I think I'm going to try a new belt and I'll let you know what happens.
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Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 AT 8:16 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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Will be awaiting your reply, if you need any further assistance dont hesitate to post back.
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Friday, October 24th, 2008 AT 10:44 PM
Tiny
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  • 7 POSTS
Well I put a new belt on and it did NOTHING.
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Monday, October 27th, 2008 AT 6:31 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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As in didnt fix anything or the noise didnt stop?
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Monday, October 27th, 2008 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
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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.
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Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 AT 6:46 AM
Tiny
SKYSDALIMIT
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  • 7 POSTS
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?
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Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 AT 6:00 PM
Tiny
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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.
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Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 AT 7:42 PM
Tiny
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Would you suggest replacing it right away?
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Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 AT 10:01 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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Check it over for cracks, glazing and cuts.

If it looks good I wouldnt replace it right now.
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Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 AT 4:03 PM
Tiny
MABBOTT
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  • 8 POSTS
I am with obxautomedic if the belts themselves are not lose or making the noise make sure that the pulleys are turning
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Friday, January 9th, 2009 AT 12:57 AM

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