1997 Camry Squeaking Noise - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Hellpowder · 03-29-2010, 09:39 PM

So I've had this squeaking noise for the past week and a half. I've looked around in other threads and I seem to have the same problem as others describe. It only squeaks on a cold start or when you back up, that is until today. We had a really bad rain storm and suddenly the car started squeaking again. I was going about 20 so my guess what that some water got into the belt system. Suddenly my ac button started to blink and the cold air stopped coming out.

Personally I think it might have something to do with the belt for the ac compressor. (figuring it stopped working today) I don't have much experience with cars so any help would be great.

Thanks~

chronoti · 03-29-2010, 11:38 PM

yes

water on your belt caused it to slip, making it squeek and causing the pressure in the ac system drop causing it to shut of and make the light blink

Hellpowder · 03-29-2010, 11:51 PM

I tried to take a look in the belt system to see if there was anything loose but i wasn't able to see anything. If it really is just water it would be great. Unfortunately i have a little fear, in my old nissan the belt tightener wheel gave and thats what was making the noise. I'm just hoping it's not something really serious. If it gets worse would you recommend to get it checked out by a mechanic?

abew330 · 03-30-2010, 02:35 AM

you check the tension of the belts? nothing loose?

turning wheel all the way either way effects it?

Hellpowder · 03-30-2010, 05:21 AM

If your talking about the steering wheel, yeah. The steering wheel actually gets a little stiff when it goes all the way to the end on either side. And in some mornings the wheel seems to stutter when you move it sharply, also to either side.

Mike Gerber · 03-30-2010, 04:49 PM

Tighten the power steering belt and the air conditioning/alternator belt. Both sound like they are loose from your description of the problems.

Mike

Hellpowder · 03-31-2010, 11:59 AM

But when i push on the belt it doesn't feel loose. 1/2 an inch leeway to either side should be fine right?

abew330 · 03-31-2010, 06:59 PM

sounds too loose to me

Hellpowder · 03-31-2010, 07:58 PM

yeah, i looked today while the car was running and a saw that the belt was very jumpy. How do you tighten it? Is it the bolt that moves the alternator?

Mike Gerber · 03-31-2010, 10:20 PM

No, it's not the 14MM bolt that moves the alternator. There is an adjustment bolt coming down from the top and a lock down bolt that comes from the side (head of that bolt is toward the engine) that holdss the adjustment bolt in place. I believe these bolts are 12MM hex heads. Loosen the lock down bolt. Tighten the adjustment bolt from the top until you feel the right amount of tension, and then retighten the lock down bolt. The power steering adjustment is done form underneath the car. That's a bit more difficult since you have to loosen the bolt that holds the unit in place and then lever the unit with a pry bar to make it tighter, and then retighten the bolt while holding the tension on the pry bar. Try the alternator belt adjustment first and see if that solves your problem.

Mike