Why a Car Squeals When Starting and How to Fix It

Why a car squeals when it first starts up and how it can be fixed.
Possible Causes
Worn or Damaged Belt
Alternator Belt
Power Steering Belt
Air Conditioning Belt
Power Steering Unit low on Fluid or Bad
Loose tensioner
Bad Battery
Bad Alternator
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[@berryhops]

all these vids give a solution, but no one let's us hear a example of a squeeling car

[@Indigolightning7]

Right how do we know it the same problem we have if we can’t hear what it’s doing

[@BkNy06]

It would have been really helpful to actually record the startup noise so that I could know for sure it’s the same as what’s on my 04 cayenne. It sounds like a metal scratching for about 1 second just on start up. Happened randomly and not always

[@HVAC_Mechanic]

Metal-to-metal sounds when starting are often the starter getting stuck on the flywheel.

[@gabbj89]

Sounds like mine but it’s more screeching and only happens since it’s been cold and only does it for a couple seconds then for the rest of the day it doesn’t do it smh

[@markedgamer3351]

​@@gabbj89were you able to find it or fix it. Happens with mine to

[@joem3343]

@@gabbj89same. Did you find a fix?

[@Skigunn]

Its the altenator belt what causes it ​@@gabbj89

[@claytonmoore3027]

I had a sound start underneath the steering wheel where the pedals are of a loud rattle at points but when that went away my car started to squeal during start up

[@davepg4173]

2002 Toyota Tacoma doesn’t squeal on startup only squeals when locking steering wheel either direction. Fluid was a little low. Filled to correct level and still squeals on tight turning. Would this mean that the power steering pump is bad or is going bad? No usual low fluid sound when idling or regular turns, only loud ear piercing sound on tight turns. Belt looks good, only around 3500 miles on it. Thanks

[@HVAC_Mechanic]

Usually, it is low on fluid, or the belt is bad. If those were good, the power steering pump likely is failing.

[@caucasianafrican1435]

@@HVAC_Mechanic Check the water pump, too. remove the belts and spin it... I think that's my issue.

[@tussypop]

My car alternator squealing when I start it up

[@miketrue559]

My car recently shredded the belt that goes around the alternator and water pump about a minute after startup a few weeks ago. I replaced the belt and the tension is good. Now it is squealing like crazy for about 30 seconds when starting on a cold morning. I am going to check the voltage in the morning and see if maybe the alternator is having to work too hard. Is it possible that it could it be a failing water pump being hard to turn?

[@caucasianafrican1435]

Yes, the bearings in the water pump could be failing, even though the water pump is circulating the coolant correctly. I think that's exactly what happened to me. Alternator belt got shredded. I got a new one, but the squeal continues. Output voltage from alt is fine, and it still squeals. It must be the water pump.... I will check later tonight.

[@alecaguilar8917]

My car squels only when I turn my ac on. I wasnt sure if it was the belt or the clutch on my compressor

[@justscooters9821]

I have the same issue 2011 Dodge ram only squeals when AC is on?? Any luck

[@tylermartin812]

Did you find out the problem

[@alecaguilar8917]

@@tylermartin812 had a mechanic come by, said my adjuster bolt was missing 🫠

[@Benjiluciano5]

Belt I had dat problem

[@WristWatcher]

Cold starts, it will randomly screech just until the engine is on. From turning key to letting go the screeching is already done screeching. I am not sure what it is as im not a car specialist, but i believe it may be the alternator and/or belts and/or tensioner. Thanks for any replies with advice and also your video!

[@tl9203]

Exactly the same here. Did you resolve this? If so, what was it?

[@kevinrichardson14]

Starter

[@itbefup4398]

Need more ideas me too

[@WristWatcher]

@tl9203 no, I think I need to change the belt.

[@WristWatcher]

@tl9203 also I think battery was bad that I had swapped out

[@harleyb-ham266]

I missed how a bad battery can make belts squeak.

[@HVAC_Mechanic]

A bad battery puts a strain on the alternator, which, while working much harder than it should, puts a strain on the belt, which can cause squealing.

[@rps714]

Ha, or if the battery is from Walmart and only 2yrs old.

[@peteisi113]

Wtf man