Screech, Squeal once per day when put car in reverse 01 Nissan Maxima

I appreciate any help that one of you gurus can provide on the below. These forums are great and have helped me a lot.

2001 Nissan Maxima, 59k miles.

I notice that ONLY ONCE per day, a screech, squeal occurs for about

3-5 seconds.

Situation: Car in garage. Car driven into garage (not backed in).

Start car. Fine. Can turn steering wheel left and right-Fine no problem, no noise. perfect. Engine sounds fine, car is not shaking, no rattles. Can gun engine while still in park--no problems or sounds. Can start car with AC on or AC off does not matter-no difference on result of below.

NOISE-If I put the car in reverse and start to back out of garage, I immediately hear a loud screech for 3-5 seconds and then it stops. I notice no other abnormality. No loss of power, no loss of braking, no loss of power steering. If I simply put in reverse with foot on brake, no noise.

So, I sprayed some WD40 on both belts as best I could. Hard to get much spray on underside of Steering belt or whatever that belt is way down below.

Start car, next day---no sound-Great. 2nd day, no sound. 3rd day- slight sound for 3 seconds.

4th day--back to 3-5 second screech.....

So I am thinking it could be a belt. But I am an idiot female with no car knowledge.

HOWEVER-why only on reverse and why only a few seconds???

I have searched the Internet and read everything from engine mounts to idler pulley to tensioner, but heck I do not know.

Hate to take car in to Dealer or independent when it only occurs once a day.

Thanks so much.

Sincerely Patty

Reply to
pattyjamas
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You don't want to spray your belts with WD40. WD40 in this case would act as a lubricant and you do not want the belts to slip.

My guess to your problem.... When you first start the car the alternator is working pretty hard to charge the battery back up. Once you put the car in reverse the engine speed drops a little and the belt starts to slip. Once the battery charge is back up the load on the alt drops off so it doesn't squeal anymore. Your WD40 pretty much confirmed this is what is happening but that isn't a good fix... it doesn't stop the belt from slipping it just masks the noise.

Proper fix is to replace the belt and, if so equipped, have the tensioner checked. I would ask around and find a good independent shop to take it to for this.

Steve B.

Reply to
Steve B.

Thanks Steve. Are you thinking this is the big serpentine belt or the Steering belt? Or better yet get both replaced??

Thanks so much!! Patty

Reply to
pattyjamas

I don't know the belt arrangement on your car but I would think the alt is probably on the serpentine belt.

Steve B.

Reply to
Steve B.

-why only on reverse and why only a few seconds??? _____________________________________________

If you are turning the wheel while in reverse, it puts extra strain on the PS pump compared to backing up straight. This will cause squeal on a loose or worn PS belt.

If you start the car while stepping on the brake, the extra load from the brake light current may be enough to cause a loose alternator belt to squeal.

Squealing for a few seconds after starting is common for a loose belt. The slippage warms the belt so it becomes more pliable to hug the pulleys so the squealing stops.

Good luck.

Rodan.

Reply to
Rodan

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