LOUD squealing noise when trying to start car, now car won't start
Hello, I have a 2005 Honda Civic which
about 6 months ago starting making an
extremely loud squealing noise when it
started up, and when the car idled with the
AC on. This would last for 10-15 seconds
then abruptly stop, and only seemed to
happen when I hadn't started my car for a
while.
I took it to a mechanic who told me the
serpentine belt was old and slipping, so I
had it replaced. That never fixed the
squealing, so yesterday afternoon I went
and had the belt tightened at a different
repair shop. I went home, and last night I
started it up and it was still squealing so I
put some belt conditioner on, and had my
brother check the belt, which he said
seemed fine. I started the car a few times
in a row and had no problems doing it last
night.
Now, this morning when I went to leave for
work, my car would not even start. I could
hear it trying to turn over, and all lights
would come on, but it would not start. I
have never had problems before with the
car actually starting, only with the noise.
Does anyone have ANY idea what this is?
Is it possible they tightened the belt too
much, or that I messed with it somehow
putting belt dressing on? The car has no
other issues that I'm aware of whatsoever.
I'm at work now, but will try to start it when
I get home, hopefully it at least starts.
Thank you!
The belt may be fine but the tensioner, idler, or one or more pulleys may not be. Someone would need to remove the belt and check each pulley. The tensioner in particular should be looked at. You may even find one of the power accessories is going bad (power steering pump, AC clutch, etc. It's also possible the no-start condition you experience had nothing to do with the belt/squealing, rather the battery became drained during all the work. A battery can have enough juice for some lights and dash but not enough to crank car. Check the charge and/or recharge it then try again.
In my 2005 civic LX have LOUD squealing noise and gets more annoying when the A/C in on. Did all the usual suspect changed both belts, A/C clutch bearing, checked the alternator and cleaned all the pulleys too but the culprit was the alternator (replaced 3 months ago) PULLEY that was about 1/16" inward toward the engine. I saw a video using a laser to check the alignment but it's $100+ so I just used my old/cheap laser leveler and steady hands to see which pulley is not align - make the crankshaft pulley as reference. Looking at the alternator mounting I decided to tap alternator sleeve washer forward and add a same thickness washer at the back end (photo should explain it better) to move the pulley 1/16" forward.
