my 96 makes a very loud squealing coming from under the hood. im assuming that the sound is a belt, but im not sure. it happens pretty randomly while im driving, then once i accelerate it gets louder for a second and stops. any ideas?

 

sounds like a belt to me. I would check the belts for tension and wear. Probally need a new accesory belt. Twist the belt, if you can twist it much more than 90 degrees its loose.

 

I ahve the same problem with my 03. The Dodge service center said they couldn't find anythign wrong with it.

 

Goto the auto parts store and get some beld dressing, it will usually stop the squeal.

 

where on the first gen is the belt located?

 

that happened to me the other day when i was leaving school in the snow.... i assumed it was either from the cold or just that it was wet cuz it never happened before that was the first time.. i stopped for a minute in the parking lot and let it idle and it stopped and thats the last time it happened but i know for a fact it was the belt... if it happens alot consider replacing the belt or the tensioner. or you can try spraying it with that belt stuff too.

 

Sometimes if it's cold out , before the car is able to warm up, it'll make the squealing sound like that. It happened to me but it actually ended up being the power steering pump. ut before you change that you should check the belt then change the power steering fluid if the belt fails then the pump if both fail.

 

just as I said????????????????????

 

Probably a belt but while it is off check the other pulleys for any rougness in rotation. Especially the tensioner and alternator. You wont obviously be able to turn the crank pully unless you He-Man!