Hey everyone....I just wanted to start this thread because I have a few questions regarding my 2003 SXT.
It only has 50,000 miles on it and the serpentine belt (i think) is screeching EXTREMELY loud when you start it up.
It also makes a loud screeching noise when you slow the car down or come to a complete stop. It is EXTREMELY annoying. The belt is still fairly new. I had it replaced at the 30,000 mile maintenance because the mechanic told me it was worn and needed to be replaced.
Sometimes when you start it up it screeches and the battery light comes on and all the lights dim down (dash lights, headlights, etc.) When the screeching stops, the battery light turns off and the lights go back to normal.
I've had some mechanics and other people who are also familiar with cars look at the belt. They all say the same thing which is: The belt is on there tight there's no reason for it to be slipping. They also told me that the belt tensioner may need replacing.
Does anyone know if that is the correct diagnosis? Do you think the tensioner needs to be replaced? I also noticed that my next door neighboor's SXT (same car) is doing the same thing when it is started. Is this a common, ongoing problem with these cars?
PLEASE HELP!!!! THANKS to anyone who helps!! I want to get some more opinions before I take it to get the belt tensioner replaced.

 

My '04 has a similair problem yet, I dont have the Battery Light Come on. It is more then Likely just a bad belt or the tensioner has gone bad.....I would get them both checked.......

 

Thanks for responding......Keep the posts coming!! I'd also like to know how common this problem is so everyone who has a serpentine belt screeching on a 2003-2005 Neon please respond here with the year and model of Neon you have. THANKS!!!!

Also, if there's anyone out there who has had this similar problem fixed what was it? the tensioner or something else?

 

Mine was screeching at 1000 miles and they replaced the belts under warranty. I also changed the PS belt again at 30K and tightened the alternator belt. At 40K I have the noise again when COLD especially.

 

Hi. I have a Neon 2000 with a similar problem, screeching noise in first gear turning the car. In my case, the serpentine belt tensioner failed, acquirind an inadmissiblelateral movement. The solution was to buy the engine mount plate, that come with the tensioner. Ewetho pass me information about this element, and Chrysler send me the correct part today. I wish that this noise dissappears after the assembly. I put a picture of the engine mount plate with the tensioner.



[IMG]local://upfiles/51634/0EFEB61241E54D1CA2AE7E9AADA09408.jpg[/IMG]

 

Had the same problemat about50,000 on my '03. got steadily worse and more annoying, particularly when i ran the blower fan shortly after starting up. I replaced the tensioner and tossed in a new belt for good measure and hasn't had that problem in the 10k or so miles afterward.

 

I took my 2003 Dodge Neon into my mechanics shop knowing that the tensioner needed replacing. After an extensive search for the tensioner and no success my mechanic stop by a local dealership and asked the parts dept. about it. The associate helping him said hang on I'll be right back. The associate came back with a rather lg. box, inside was the belt tensioner plate which will cover a good portion of the front of the engine. cost....$312.00 the labor time for this procedure 2-1/2 hrs. total cost will be $500.00+or-.

 

I'd find a new mechanic. A tensioner pulley (that is what you actually replace) is ~$30 at a parts store. $312 labor?!?! You undo a bolt, take the old pulley off, bolt the new one on. Done.

 

03 neon sxt. I just changed my Timing belt(mech. tensioner) a week ago, and when im a stop there is a loud noise RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Also i have noticed that when my foot is on the brake the noise its loud, when i take my foot off it goes away. IS THIS NORMAL AFTER CHANGIN THE TIMING BELT

 

Squealing belts on startup, using a/c. Replaced belts, belt tensioner, vibration dampener and still belts squeal.

How about spacers on the a/c unit to further tighten the serpentine belt?