Strange Squeaking Noise Under The Hood
Posted in Air Conditioning | Asked on Feb 2, 2012
Below is the question about Strange Squeaking Noise Under The Hood, I have a 2002 Dodge Grande Caravan that squeaks. It’s not a squealing noise (meaning that it isn’t a constant noise). It’s more like a repeated squeak (example: squeak, squeak, squeak). The only time that it goes away is when I press on the gas. It even squeaks when completely stopped like in the driveway, or at a red light. It used to only do it when the AC was on, but now the compressor is going out! So we haven’t been running the AC at all for this past week or until we can get the money to fix it (so expensive). My father says that the new squeak is a belt and that I need to buy a bar of soap to rub on it? Sounds a little strange to me…..it wouldn’t be the first time he has been wrong. So my question is: Could this squeak still be from the AC even though we haven’t been running it, or is my dad right about the soap after all? Please explain in a way so that someone with absolutely no vehicle knowledge will understand. lol. I know how to operate a vehicle, just not how to fix one.
There are 6 Answers for "Strange Squeaking Noise Under The Hood"
Could be one of the idler pulleys or the belt tensioner. The fact that it goes away when pressing the accelerator makes it seem more like the tensioner. The tensioner is the pulley that is mounted on a spring loaded arm that is meant to keep the belt tight.
I would think that the squeak would be you belt you can take it to a auto parts store and have them spray some stop squeak on it and if it stops then i would get a new belt. if it dosent it could be the bearings in your bad compressor
Listen to dad…the soap rubbed on belt surfaces will at least show if that’s the problem..if {ivory} soap on belt quiets it there u go,,,you know,,,,[rub both sides]…you can get some actual belt dressing [spray can] from auto parts or replace belt…30 to 60 dollars
check accessories…if belts not problem
1 get stethoscope from auto prts store,,,[yes stethoscope] or 2 foot long piece of garden hose to listen to AC compressor,,,alternator,,,waterpump,,
No that’s wrong. If you belt is slipping and making noise, either tighten the belt or it needs a new belt.
Putting soap on it, only makes it slip better and not squeak but the slipping better means the part that is supposed to turn, the pulley, is not turning good because you soaped it up and now the belt slides.
If it’s your water pump or alternator, a sliding belt isn’t good.
The belts on your Caravan are for some reason more likely to squeak and chirp than some other vehicles.Putting on a little soap or a belt conditioner will stop it for a very short time.Even a new belt will sometimes do that soon after being installed.Someone needs to tighten the belts and take it from there.On that engine it’s not exactly easy to do,the right front wheel and a plastic shield have to be removed first.Your dad’s soap idea is worth trying,it’s easy enough to do but do not try it with the engine running.Better would be to go to an auto parts store for a spray can of belt dressing and spray that with the engine running,much safer.
It sounds to me like your belt might be glazed or a bit loose. Glazing on the belt happens when the belt is slightly loose and it slides through the pulley instead of grabbing on and turning with it. Because the belt is rubber and the pulley is polished metal, it’ll quickly give it a slight polish (glaze) and that’s what makes the squeaking sound. My recommendation would be to go to an auto parts store and buying a can of belt dressing (if you’re not sure what this is, ask them what spray to use to condition and clean the belt) and spray some on it while the car is running. Make sure to spray on the surface that comes in contact with the pulleys. Just a few squirts will do. too much and it’ll slip and slide all over.
– If this doesn’t make the squeaking go away, the belt might be dry-rotting or be too loose. In both instances, your best bet is to replace the belt. A high quality belt runs for a little less than $30, but you can find a good one for about $20. Just purchase the part at the auto parts store and have a shop install it or maybe a trusty friend that’s mechanic-oriented. It takes minimal skill to replace a belt, but because it’s a minivan it can be a hassle because there’s not much space to work with.
– If the squeaking is coming from only one area (say, to the right of the engine), check to see if it’s coming from where the a/c compressor is. You mentioned it was going out, so the pulley might be a bit tight or messed up and this might be the reason for the squeaking. (the a/c compressor looks something like this http://www.rawcliffesinc.com/images/Car_… Althought it would be much cheaper to replace the belt, if the a/c compressor is at fault then you’ll continue to get the squeaking sound even after the replacement.
good luck!