Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Squeeky sound...

Recently I found that there is a squeeky sound coming from under the car(front end) but only after I use AC for some time. If no AC in use I can drive all day long but no sound. It sounded more like some rubber touching something. I opened hood and everything looked fine to me, no fluid leaks,no overheating, rad fan is working with AC on, etc. Car drives fine other then that.
Anyone else had a similar problem/noise?

Just to add to the above:
1996 contour gl wth zetec, ac and atx with 77000kms

possible sign of a belt getting ready to go?

Just a thought

Ray

When the A/C compressor kicks on, it puts a load on the engine thru the belt. If the belt is slipping some, it could squeek. It could be a weak tensioner, or a "glazed dry" belt that needs to be changed. With the engine running, and the A/C on (and squeeking) spray some water using a mist bottle on the belt (don't get to close to the moving belt!), if the squeeking stops for a bit or changes sound, it's the belt. Belt anti-squeek dressings don't work well on serpentines, so don't bother, it's not a fix.

Don't forget the idler tensioner pulley as well! My A/C Compressor died and after it was fixed, the squealing never stopped. We replaced the idler tensioner pulley (and the tensioner for good measure, it definitely needed it) and the squealing went away; Basically the bearings were shot and it made the belt slip. If you want to test the idler pulley (It's on your belt routing diagram on the passenger side strut cover) take off the belt and spin it; if it grabs at all, it's gone, that thing should spin free and smooth.

I have a squeaking coming from the front end too, but it doesn't come after the AC has been on. I hardly use AC. It just seems to happen randomly sometimes. When I use the brakes, it stops.