General Chat
Q:
I have a question about my 1990 Ford Escort GT. Basically tell me what you guys think: When i'm driving for any period of time greater than five minutes, my lights will go dim. About fifteen seconds later, this belt begins squealing loudly for about twenty seconds. At the conclusion of the squealing, the lights will brighten back up and will drive just as fine as always. This repeats several times throughout my usual 20 minute drive per night. Additionally, the squealing will subside if I put the clutch in. What could this be? Alternator? I don't know¿? Any input would be nice, thanks in advance :)
1976 280Z
Draw-Through Turbo, 10 PSI, 4 Bbl Holley, E88, L28 (Flat), 10:1 CR, 5 Spd
1974 Corvette Stingray:
350, 400 Automatic, T-Tops, 8.5:1 CR, 78,000 Miles
1994 Acura Integra:
1.8L, 5 Spd, 189,000 and Counting!
A:
Sounds like a loose/worn belt.
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'76 280Z w/Shaved Head and Illuminas
'83 280zxt w/RUST
A:
Sounds like a slipping belt...
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
A:
im not sure if your car has the spring operated belt tensioner but if it does you might want to check that as a possible cause of a loose belt. it seems that those ford tensioners act up when cold weather hits if they are on the verge of going out. i could be wrong about this but its worth a look as you replace the belt. good luck !!
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1980 280ZX coupe
2001 maxima
1994 F150 4x4 van works custom truck
170000 and never needed mech repairs
1996 ford explorer -they cant all be good
A:
spring-op. belt tensioner? i dont see hardly any cars with those.
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1981 n/a 280zx
1952 m38a1 jeep willy's
1971 fairlady 240z
95 300zx N/A
72 240z
A:
Hoov,
I think zxtoy was talking about a serpentine belt, which are spring operated, you need a 1/2" drive to relieve the spring to change it.
Maybe the alternator is getting overloaded or overheated, then it calls for more torque, which makes the belt slip. As soon as the alt cools down enough, the belt stops slipping until it overheats again...
Just my (wild) guess...
-HughDog
A:
Yeah i was refering to the one on a serpentine belt it went out on my explorer and acted much like the one discribed here but i was not sure if cars had them or not, but if it did it should be checked. thanks for clearing that up hughdogZ.
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1980 280ZX coupe
2001 maxima
1994 F150 4x4 van works custom truck
170000 and never needed mech repairs
1996 ford explorer -they cant all be good
A:
Definetly sounds like an alternator problem....I'm guessing the belt heats and stretches.
Try tightening it up first, but you're most likely going to have to replace it.
A:
Sounds to me like the alternator bearings are going bad. They seize up causing the alternator to stop making a power drain and the belt will squeal...
I bet if you replace the alternator your problems will go away..
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1985 300ZX n/a
A:
Take tension off the alt. by removing the belt and spin the alt. and tensioner by hand and feel if the bearings are rough or binding. If either of the bearings are bad, the thing could seize up, burn up the belt and leave you stranded.
Rusty but running.
Polish cell phone and two tubes of Aluma-seal.
And, now we are historic.
A:
If you remove the belt and lightly tap the pulley on the alt with a rubber mallet, you'll know if it has bad bearings. It should sount solid. If you get a ringing noise, a hollow noise, a rattle, or anything else that doesn't sound solid, the bearings are bad.
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1985 300ZX n/a
A:
Pullies gone..belt gone.. Killing ur alt.
89'300zx-Carputer,Black,17's,digital,5spd,My Baby:D
90' TTZ!-UR Pully,seri2 PTU, R34 Brakes,HKS dual's,JW Intake&POP,PRofec B Spec2,Tokyo Rad,etc.
92' Civic- B16,Turbo,StandAlone FS,Programed,All the go!
95' Mitsu Turbo AWD,T3/4 CONV.**12 SEC CAR!!