Hello,
I have a 1994 Grand Am GT, have owned it for 3 years now, and bought it from
my cousin who was the original owner. Since I have owned it I have noticed
every time it rains, the belt seems to squeal fairly often. I figured the
water was splashing up on the belt from the wheel. When it squeals, the volt
meter jumps down, and the headlights dim.
Over the past year, this has gotten worse. Now the belt squeals even when
it's dry outside (but not as often). And the volt meter will jump down
(slightly above the red mark) and up, even while travelleing at constant
speed on the interstate. I replaced the fan belt about 8 months ago, and
that seemed to help for a short while, but it is not back to the same way.
What is the most likely cause of this? Also, is there supposed to be a guard
or something that keeps water from flinging up onto the fan belt?
Thanks!
Donnie
80 Knight - 26 May 2007 03:15 GMT
> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> guard
> or something that keeps water from flinging up onto the fan belt?
How is your belt tensioner?
PAuL - 26 May 2007 04:01 GMT
> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Thanks!
> Donnie
The belt tensioner applies tension to the belt, thereby stopping the
squealing.
Odds are the tensioner or the tensioner pulley is shot.
There is no water guard.
donnie86 - 26 May 2007 13:42 GMT
Thanks to both of you! I suspected this is what was wrong, I even bought a
new tensioner, maybe I can put it on one of these days. Looks like I'll have
to take the alternator off.
The squealing does stop after a few seconds, but the voltmeter jumps
sometimes even when it's not squealing. I figured this is the belt slipping a
little that is causing the voltmeter to drop every so often.
Again thanks for the insight,
Donnie
>> Hello,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>Odds are the tensioner or the tensioner pulley is shot.
>There is no water guard.