Chirping Sound

[twagn]

I get a chirping sound on cold start ups. Sounds like it's coming from the alternator. Any ideas?

[clutch1]

It's not belt slip as the engine stumbles a bit, is it?? My Buick does that if I don't quite crank long enough and it stumbles before it catches itself.

[colonel6632]

or alternator bearings perhaps. wouldn't worry about it until your alternator stops turning, or it gets worse

[lonnie]

Is it Tensioner pulley, Tensioner pulley needs adjustment, belt slip, belt needs replacement, or AC compressor pulley? Dumb question...How long has it been doing it, and is the belt wet? Ok two dumb questions!

[zzyzzx]

I have the same thing happening on my 1995 Escort, but the alternator only has about 30,000 miles on it, the serpentine belt is maybe only two years old, but the belt tensioner is original, and has over 193,000 miles on it. Still have no idea what's causing it.

[twagn]

Car runs fine, belt is in good shape and no electrical problems. Seems to do it more so when it's damp or raining. Eventually goes away as motor warms up. I'm thinking it's the tensioner. It's probably more annoying than anything. Thanks for the replys

[zzyzzx]

If you find out for sure post the info back here.

[alero_bmxer]

i was getting a chirping also on cold/damp mornings. the mechanic took a wire brosh to the back (contact) side of the belt with the car running and its been almost a year and no chirping.

[TheThickster]

i was getting a chirping also on cold/damp mornings. the mechanic took a wire brosh to the back (contact) side of the belt with the car running and its been almost a year and no chirping.

yup your belt and pulleys get glazed. Best bet would be to get steel wool and rub down all the pulleys and get a new belt.

If still you have chirp there might be a pulley alignment problem, I know the bracket that holds the belt tensioner assy. there is a spacer in back of it, if its missing it will make the belt squeal like a mother.

This happened to me once the mechanic who changed my engine lost it, so I put a bunch of washers instead works great!

[twagn]

Well, the power steering pump eventually went out. Grinding sound something fierce and with the chirping was making one heck of a racket. Replaced power steering pump..all is well.

[hok666]

mine does the same thing when I first start it up the goes away just replace belt and tensior shouldnt cost more than $50 all together