Sudden Squealing Belt Update . Need advice - Toyota 4Runner Forum

HappyHooligan · 02-23-2019, 01:45 PM

so yesterday one of my belts just started squealing like crazy and would stop when I let off the gas but go back on when I applied the gas. So figures a loose belt. They feel pretty tight today, but the thing is now my brand new battery (1 month old) is completely dead. no door chimes or anything dead. Did my alternator go out and that was the squeal I heard? Or are they completely un related. if I left a light on (which I didn't see I did) I remember in past cars there was still some power but not enough to start the car. I'm completely dead. I have a charger on it now and I'm hearing the door chimes at least. Did my Alt go out or something else?

theesotericone · 02-23-2019, 02:17 PM

Get the battery charged and start the truck. Take a multi-meter and check voltage at the battery. I'd bet your alt is shot but it's easier to find out then throw parts at it.

alumarine · 02-23-2019, 02:50 PM

After you get it started check to see if the alternator pulley is turning.
It may be the cause of the squealing.

HiLife · 02-23-2019, 03:07 PM

How long did you drive with the dead battery? Sometimes dead batteries fry good alternators. Alternators are not meant to go full charging amps for too long trying to charge up a dead battery.
The dead alternator could co inside with the belt squealing. A locked up alternator bearing can make that noise.
Are the belts dry and not glazed? No oil, antifreeze or other contaminates on the belts?

HappyHooligan · 02-23-2019, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiLife

How long did you drive with the dead battery? Sometimes dead batteries fry good alternators. Alternators are not meant to go full charging amps for too long trying to charge up a dead battery.
The dead alternator could co inside with the belt squealing. A locked up alternator bearing can make that noise.
Are the belts dry and not glazed? No oil, antifreeze or other contaminates on the belts?

The battery was brand new. It wasn't dead when I parked last night. Belts are good and clean. Once it's charged up I'll test it with the meter.

HiLife · 02-23-2019, 03:37 PM

Hmm ok.
I had a good new battery die on me after replacing a 4 year old one. I'm my situation it turned out I didn't tighten my battery terminals enough. I put the battery on a charger to charge back up and reinstalled with clean and
tight terminals. That did the trick for me.

HappyHooligan · 02-23-2019, 08:25 PM

finally got it charged up. started it and the squeal was deafening. The alternator was not spinning so it's looking like I need a new alternator. And yes the sound was coming from it.

I guess it just locked up? So which brand replacement should I get? Toyota stock or another one? How much time does it take to replace? or what would someone charge for it to figure out which is best for me?

thanks

gamefreakgc · 02-23-2019, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyHooligan

finally got it charged up. started it and the squeal was deafening. The alternator was not spinning so it's looking like I need a new alternator. And yes the sound was coming from it.

I guess it just locked up? So which brand replacement should I get? Toyota stock or another one? How much time does it take to replace? or what would someone charge for it to figure out which is best for me?

thanks

Replacing the alternator is not too hard at all. There's the wiring harness and a couple of bolts and it's out. You just have to pry a little bit to get the top out, there's a compression ring that hold it in the alternator bracket that you have to bump back in to get the new one in.

Stay with a stock DENSO unit. Even a junkyard unit would do better than those awful reman'd units from a part store.

HiLife · 02-23-2019, 11:40 PM

I did a new Denso alternator from Amazon when my diode went out.
Alternator change outs can be done with the batter in place. But you'll have a whole lot of more room to work with if you remove the battery.
Keep your old alternator!! Don't turn it in to get your core charge back. If you want money you should sell it on here. Someone could rebuild it or use the voltage regulator or the diode trio to get a dead alternator back on the road. Those two parts are the usual suspects that go out when the alternator dies, and also alternator brushes if the alt has high mileage.

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