95 Neon Squealing Problem

Have a 95 Neon with about 115K on it. For the past month or so, when
idling or braked, its been producing a loud high pitched squeal, similar
to squealing tires. I don't believe its coming from the brakes,
however. It happens sometimes when in park (whether my foot is on the
brake or not) and often happens at a stop light after I've firmly
stopped or just starting to hit the gas again. It gets even worse as I
first start hitting the gas after stopping, but then goes away after I
get up past about 10 mph. It seems to happen most of the time during
cool damp conditions, almost always in the morning on the way to work,
only happened once in the afternoon, and that was during a rainstorm.
It seems to go away after warming up for about 10-15 minutes of driving.
It hasn't seemed to have caused any problems with braking or speeding
up (at least not yet), but is very annoying for me, and I'm sure the
cars next to me also. Any ideas what the problem could be?

 

Belt mabey?

 

Just had the timing belt replaced about 2000 miles ago, and at least the
first 1000 miles I didn't have this problem (of course, that was during
the summer when it was warmer). Or are you talking something else?

 

The shop that did your timing belt didn't get one of the accessory drive
belts tight enough. There are two on your car. One drives the A/C
compressor (if you have one) and the power streering pump. The other drives
the alternator. Try turning off the A/C and see if it stops. If not, it's
probably teh alternator belt, which is working harder first thing in the
morning when it's cool, right after you've tsarted the car, with the lights
on, and the rear defroster....

Remember that the A/C is on when the heat selector is in defrost or
defrost/floor mode regardless of where you have the fan switch.

I'll bet that's your problem. I have one in the driveway right now that's
desperately in need of replacement belts and I can't drive around town right
now with the A/C on and have any power steeering!

Jeff
'95 neon SOHC auto. 143,000 miles and counting.

 

Ahh ok, that sounds very possible. For the past couple weeks I've had
the rear defrost on pretty much every morning. I'll check that out,
thanks.

 

No, not the timing belt, at least I've never known one of those to squeal.
Well, I'm not familiar with that particular vehicle, it may have one
serpentine belt, or multiple belts, but I was speaking of the external
betls, the one(s) that drive the water pump, alternator, ac, etc..
Thay sympton is usally indicitive of a belt..