Screeching

[Gil Cleeton]

I have 96 Legacy. I have renewed drive belts. I get 2 second screech when
starting from cold if either the heater blower or aircon is switched on.
Now I also get it when braking to stop sign.
I can't see connections here ?
Gil

 

[Gilles Gour]

I have 96 Legacy. I have renewed drive belts. I get 2 second screech when
starting from cold if either the heater blower or aircon is switched on.
Now I also get it when braking to stop sign.
I can't see connections here ?
Gil

Hi, before picking your head too hard,
check the belts tension. No more than about 1/4 inch of
deflection midway between the pulleys.
The tensionning method is intuitive. You give some slack to a
lock bolt (horizontal) and turn the long vertical one until
you get the proper tension. Retighten the lock bolt.
If no cure, than ask again. Maybe someone...

 

[Edward Hayes]

Could it be that the battery is low on capacity and the alternator must run
at full output just after starting. Do you have the alternator belt tight
enough? If you push quite hard in the center of the belt between two
pulley's it should not deflect more than 1/8-1/4 inch. eddie

 

[David & Caroline]

I would guess it's a loose alternator belt - they might not have tightened
it properly, or it may have stretched a little as it broke in.

 

[BBB]

Sounds like good advice. Belts do stretch after installation and should
be checked after a few weeks. Early in my driving career I ended up
with a dead battery as a result of this, but fortunately I had tools
with me and was on the downward side of a hill.

The heater blower and AC symptoms point to situations that would place
an extra load on the alternator and hence on the belt and perhaps make
it screech. Stop sign is a bit more of a puzzle. Something regarding
inertia and temporary deformation of the belt??? Slight amount of play
in the alternator???