Changed out the Alternator, died on me this past weekend, and now the pulley is squealing louder then ever. When I cut on my ac it gets worse.

Now the really bad part. It just happened but there is a sound coming from my tranny. If I am in park or neutral it makes this grumbling sound. When I shift into drive or reverse it goes away.

Please tell me it's got something to do with the pulley not being adjust tight enough or something like that?

How do I get rid of the squeel? Tighten it up more or loosen it up. This shouldn't affect the tranny in any way right?

Lastly, my car had to be toed and now I can't get my key to come out of the ignition. I am able to start and drive but when I put it into park the key won't come all the way back to release.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

No, it shouldn't affect the trans.

Well before you tighten or loosen the belt any, have you actually checked the belt tension?

Have you tried moving the shifter around a little while trying to extract the key?

 

After getting the charge on the car the key finally moved back to release. So, I'm able to get the key out now.

The tension on the belt is not too tight and not to loose to the touch. It's the same tension as the power steering belt. I noticed when I started the car the idle was hella low. While reversing the car started to shutter but didn't die. Put the car in drive and drove but it doesn't pick up as it should. It isn't slow but feels like it drowns out prior to picking up. I don't have an ses light either.

 

Not too tight and not too loose to the touch doesn't mean its within spec lol Only way I know how to check is to use a ruler to measure the deflection of the belt.

Where did you get the new alternator from? Maybe its actually the culprit?

 

Got the Alternator from Advance Auto, as well as a new belt. How do you use a ruler to check the belt?

 

I don't remember the exact numbers so look in Pmohr's sig for a link to the FSM, it explains it in there.

 

To check belt deflection use a straight edge and a rule. Basically put the straight edge (doesn't have to be a ruler) on a flat part of the belt. Then pull the belt away from the straight edge and measure the distance from the straight edge to the belt. This measurement is your belt deflection.

 

And when getting a new alternator, ALWAYS have it tested prior to leaving the store.

If you dont have the tension exactly correct, then its going to make the belt squeal. If the belt is to tight it will still squeal and you will also put undo stress (causing howling in addtion to squealing) on the alt pulley bearing and cause a premature failure.

When you measure deflection you measure at the "middle" point between the two pulley bolts.

Also, did you install a new Alt belt or use the old one? If its the old one did you inspect for debris, grease or other such contamination?

 

Installed a new belt when i put in the alternator. I'll check the belt deflection today when I get home from work. I was looking at it yesterday and shot some wd40 on the bearing of the tensioner. The squeal stopped briefly. I'm getting another pulley to install and i'll adjust everything then. i've got to take my car in to find out he i've got tranny issues or not. it makes the grumbling noise in park and neutral but not reverse or drive. One thing i did notice prior was that you are able to move the shifter without stepping on the brake. **** you can fo it without even having the key in the ignition. Any idea how / why? Thanks again for the input.

 

CHeck the shift lock solenoid, make sure it isn't just stuck in the released position.