tinkn69 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Hello everyone!! My other half (the dark half LOL) has a 1995 legacy wagon; we bought it a few months ago from a neighbor:body in EXCELLENT shape, AT,120k, new alternator & battery - needed a windshield and it wouldn't start. So i jumped it and drove it down the hill and brought her home..... It was making a racket and I popped the hood and the cause of his aggravation was that the "new" alternator he just installed was spinnning on the shaft! (keyway was gone) (I noticed the can of belt dressing in the back of the car) Lifetime warranty on the alternator, so I asked him, used his name and got another new one and properly tensioned the belt, replaced the windshield and all was at peace with the world........ the car runs great! After about a month had to re tension the belt because it started to squeal when started in the morning; I noticed that when driving throughout the day, no squeal when starting only after setting for a spell...... Fast forward to present and the alternator started to squeal again. So I noticed 2 things - when I step on the brake the headlights dim slightly & the squealing only really happens after the car sits for a period of time. Anyone ever have this problem? AND If it is shorting somewhere how will I find it? Thanks in advance, tink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bdubs Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Is it a new belt as well? The belt may just be stretched out, especially if it's only squealing while cold or at a startup. As far as the lights dimming, you may want to clean all your grounds from the battery, and also starter and alternator. Inspect the cables, maybe even replace the terminals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinkn69 Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 yes the belt is new and the battery terminals are clean. will check ground when she gets back tonite.... will check by starting with headlights on and see what we get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wengermi Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 is it a new belt as well? The belt may just be stretched out, especially if it's only squealing while cold or at a startup. As far as the lights dimming, you may want to clean all your grounds from the battery, and also starter and alternator. Inspect the cables, maybe even replace the terminals. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DN1911 Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 i don't have any squeal but the dimming seems normal for stock mid 90's cars. upgrade your grounds, check your belts tension, and possible throw in a bigger alternator ( WRX, STi). the squeal is from an improperly tensioned belt or a bad belt from what you have described Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daleyswanson Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 ah! my lights dim and it drives me CRAZY. does a wrx or sti alternator swap directly over? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadget Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Quick fix for the squeal, and has worked permanently for me in the past is a quick squirt of silicone spray on the belt. Tire shine of the silicone type will work just as well. Certainly stops the immediate annoyance while you choose to do something about it or not. Pop the hood, locate the belt, squirt for about 4-5 secs with the engine running. Easy! For those who think this is a little neanderthal, you are so right but it works Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaz98gt Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 ^+1 i know it might be a stupid question tink, but have you had a stethescope up to the alternator to be completely sure that's where the noise is coming from? and just to specify, does it squeal only during starting up, or while running when it's cold? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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