I have a 2003 Grand Caravan that recently started screeching when I first start the engine. It doesn't do it all the time; only if it's been sitting overnight or for several hours. It has been cold here, but the van is kept in the garage. The screeching goes away after several seconds.

The van wasn't really running for a month or two while I did some work on it (replaced bad injector, replaced fried wiring harness, new PCM, new radiator, plugs, wires, etc.). I haven't touched the serpentine belt or anything that runs off of the belt.

Do you have any suggestions for tracking down the problem (since it only lasts a few seconds one a day) or any guesses what the problem is? Thanks for your help.

 

Fluid full? How cold? They get alittle noisy when really cold, but don't we all.

 

You might try spraying some belt dressing on it but use sparingly.

 

Never use belt dressing on a serpentine belt, ever.

Probably power steering pump, my van has done this for years once it gets below freezing.

 

Yes, fluid is full. The outside temp the last couple weeks has ranged from about 7 F to 35 F; so the cold has certainly made a difference.

 

Not to worry; I won't be putting any dressing on the serpentine belt

The power steering pump was replaced relatively recently (within the last year or two); is it anything to be concerned about?

 

not if it goes away. If it keeps making noise, could have a screen plugging in the reservoir. When it gets cold, the fluid gets thick so the pump makes a little noise until things get going.