HELP!!!!
My 99 Jeep TJ has developed a squeal/screetch emanating from the passenger side of the motor upon startup AND sometimes when the A/C is running. I'll try to describe this as best as possible...
Upon startup, when the car has been sitting for a while (At least 45 minutes after last operated), the car will make a squeal when starting the car. After about 5-10 seconds, the sqeual goes away. IF I start the car under load, ie,. with the AC running, it will not stop squealing until the AC is switched off. I'm in Miami, so it is always warm. Cold weather does not happen here.
Once the car has been running for a few minutes (and I am actually driving), I can turn on the AC and the sound will not be present. The car MUST be moving. Idling for 5 minutes won't prevent the squeal. This is part of my daily workaround.
When driving, if I turn on the AC and the squeal is present, I simply turn it off, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on. Eventually the AC will run and the sqeal will not be present.
Once the AC is working without the squeal, all is good until the next time I let the car sit for a while without running it.
This has been going on the for the past few months....
Here's what I have replaced:
Serpentine Belt Both non-accessory pulley's A/C compressor clutch
Suggested possibilities: AC compressor bearing, alternator, waterpump.
My next step is to replace one of the three above. When I have examined the motor while the noise is present, it seems to be coming from the AC compressor or the alternator. The AC works fine when it comes to cooling. I also do not have a power problem with the alternator.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can check next or maybe to determine whether this is one of the three suggested possibilities? The waterpump is cheap, but the other two are not. I'd rather nail this problem with the next weekend under the hood.
Please help!!
Also, please respond via the newsgroup so others can share in the knowlege transfer.