Car makes squeaky sound

[Qacer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt-1ci-ZGCk

I've had this problem for years. Over this time span, I've taken it to the dealer and a separate mechanic. No one can seem to pinpoint the issue. Primarily because when they check it out, they can't quite replicate the sound. This sound only occurs during very cold days. The belts have been checked out. They are in good condition. Also, the squeal seems to get higher in pitch as I accelerate to the point where at a certain speed I can no longer hear it.

I'm looking for some additional suggestions in terms of what may be causing this sound, and ultimately, how it can be fixed.

This is a Toyota Corolla 2006. It was purchased brand new at that time.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Alternator bearing is my guess.

 

[PottedMeat]

Alternator bearing is my guess.

Should be easy to see if that's the case. OP, have you tried removing the alternator belt? Never done it on a Corolla but, you should just have to loosen a bolt, the alternator will slide a little and the belt will come off.

 

[pcgeek11]

Idler pulley bearing(s) for the serpentine belt.

Very Common cause.

 

[phucheneh]

Have the people examining your car ever heard of this thing called a 'stethoscope'? That is not a hard thing to diagnose.

I would say 90% chance it's an idler pulley, 10% it's a tensioner. And 1% other. Alternator 0.01%.

...there are of course really 101.01 percents, not 100. It's like hard drives and 'advertised space.' :ninja:

 

[jlee]

Guessing a pulley. Pull the serpentine belt and see if it goes away. Just run it long enough to check - don't go driving around like that.

 

[Qacer]

Thanks folks! I totally forgot about this thread. I also found similar tips before. I brought the issue up the many times I took the car to the dealer, but they couldn't pinpoint the main culprit. I'll give the list of potential sources to the mechanic and see if he can figure it out.

 

[phucheneh]

Seriously. Get a new mechanic.

Accessory drive noises are not hard to find.