I replaced my serpentine belt yesterday as preventive maintenance. Now my 03 4.7 liter V8 is exhibiting a very odd behavior. Two out of three times I start the vehicle it emits a loud squeal, the battery light illuminates, and the power steering does not function. If I shut the engine down and restart it goes away and the vehicle operates normally. What would cause this and how can I fix it?

I don't think it is related but I replaced my radiator at the same time as the belt.

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It sounds like the belt is not turning on those occasions when you lose powersteering and the dash lights come on. The next time it happens, look at the belt with the engine running to verify. If it is in fact not turning, then
I would go back and make sure the belt is routed properly around all the pulleys. Also, check to see that all the pulleys are working properly (none with bad bearings).

Since my last post I have discovered a few more things. First I discovered that the belt was seizing because it had walked its way back on the tensioner. Upon removing the belt I compared the part#s of the old belt and new belt didn't match (they had given me a slightly larger belt). The slipping that had occurred between the belt and the tensioner had melted the belt slightly. Once I carefully cleaned all of this burnt rubber I reinstalled the old belt.

Unfortunately the noise came back this morning. I called out of work and brought it to the local shop. They determined that the tensioner was in bad shape (may have been damaged by the slipping belt or this was causing the slight chirp that caused me to replace the belt initially). The belt and tensioner were replaced for about $330. I'm just glad its over and I can drive my quiet Runner again.