Belt Auction

Why do the belts squeak on my car and my lights dim?

I just got my alternator replaced and the belts squeak. Is this because the belts were undertightened or overtightened? Also the belts only squeak when I turn either left or right but not when im driving straight. When I turn, the dash lights on my car dim a little or sometimes a lot. What can I do to fix this? I dont want my car to die out because the alternator is not charging the battery or something. Please Help

Public Comments

1. Belts normally squeak when they are loose or wet. Get them tightened
2. Take it to the guy that fixed your alternator. He didn't hook something up right...
3. I would have the Alternator checked again and have the belt replaced this time
4. the belt sometimes squeak when its wet, i don't know about the lights.
5. well, usually the alternator belt will squeak for a few days just because it is new...so that part is normal...but the dimming lights isn't normal! you should take your car back to wherever you got it fixed and make them look at it for free, that is what i would do.
6. alternator belt is slipping - retention it by using the tentioner or you might need a new belt peace out :)
7. When you replaced the alternator,you should have replaced the belt also.The belt is worn out.It squeals when you turn because the power steering pulley on the pump is putting pressure on the belt.The lights go dim because their is not proper tension on the belt(slipping on alternator pulley).
8. No doubt that the belt is too loose. Did you get a new belt when the alternator as replaced? cause belts are cheap and you should of at least the mechanic should of recommended it. Its screeching cause when you turn your wheel your power steering pump has to pump harder, you prob have a "serpentine" belt and it takes care of your alternator power steering and water pump. so when you turn, the power steering pump is trying to pump harder causing the belt to slip and the belt is not turning at its true speed and the alternator is slowing down, so thats why your lights dim.
9. Let the car run and check the alternator. If it wobbles a bit, it's running out of line OR the bearings could be finished or it was not properly fitted.
10. got a few answers for this one---new alternater may be bad and locking up. Belt may be worn.Or depending on the type of car you may have a weak belt tensioner or the mechanic didnt put enough tension on the belt in th first place. its an easy fix but the mechanic should have noticed the problem id look for another mechanic
11. HI You have many answers on the squeek is from the belt or belts. You didn't say what kind of car. It is most likely a serpentine belt of the polyvee design. This belt wraps around all the Front End Assecory Drive (FEAD) components. I have found that in many cases the belt is removed and reinstalled incorrectly This results in some pulleys not having sufficient wrap (the amount of the pulley that the belt wraps around). Polyvee systems have an automatic tensioner so belt tension is likely not the problem but the way the belt is installed. Many manufacuters have a picture of how the belt is supposet to be wrapped, which is usually located on what we call the horse collar, which is the large stamping that is the front body piece from which the radiator, head lights and grill are installed). Have the mechanic verify the belt is installed correctly. Good luck! Phil
12. A squeaking noise when you turn sounds more like a problem with your power steering. A few things I would suggest. Check to make sure you have enough fluid in the power stearing resovoir first. Also check the tension on your belts if they are loose you might not be getting the most out of the new alternator.
13. Belts are loose. They normally loosen a bit after they have been run, they stretch a little, just tighten them up some