If your car makes screeching noise when turning key on, it can be a sign of damage from your car. Turning it on simply to listen to any screeching or squealing noise is annoying and embarrassing. Many times the reason or cause is simple and fixable. So in this article, we will be talking about how to troubleshoot a car’s screeching noise when turning the key on. It can have two cases you will hear a screeching noise when you turn the engine on or while driving the car.
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Why My Car Makes Screeching Noise When Turning Key On?
The first reason that can be considered can be a bad serpentine belt that is failing with time. The serpentine belt does the work of several vehicle systems functioning. This can also result from loss of suspension lubrication, an issue with the power steering system, or a low power steering system.
1. Bad Serpentine Belt
Bad here refers to the worn-out belt or loose tensioner belt. So this can range from belt elongating or loose tension in it. Also with rough use, the belt can get damaged. When these belts start to slip, they will make a screeching noise. The serpentine belt also known as the drive belt plays a vital role in the engine. It drives many of the accessories.
2. Uneven Tension 
A belt that is too loose or tight may cause the belt to slip away. It will lose its alignment and get misaligned. The serpentine belt should be kept at proper tightness and tension. This job is done by a tensioner. In the olden days, where the vehicle materials and the system naturally degrade, the tensioner will be unable to keep it in a particular setting. You can fix this by readjusting the tension every once or you can also replace the tensioner.
How Will You Know That The Serpentine Belt Needs Replacement?
As soon as you start the engine you will listen to the loud screeching sound from your car. In rainy and summer seasons, the screeching will be very high, more than usual. Also, when you accelerate the car, the screeching noise will be louder. So the signs and symptoms are very easy to detect. After these common symptoms, they may also include these mentioned below. The symptoms can be,
1. Difficulty In Steering
In almost every car nowadays, the serpentine belt is responsible for the power steering pump. So, if you are making a turn while turning screeching sound will be produced so from this you can understand that your serpentine belt is going bad. Also, you will lose the power steering due to serpentine belt failure, which will make it difficult to turn the steering wheel if you drive at high speeds. The seals containing the power steering fluid will wear down, causing small leakages causing the power steering to screech when you turn the wheel.
2. Overheating Of Car
Car makes screeching noise when turning key on can be easily fixed if you notice this common symptom at the earliest i.e Overheating. When the serpentine belt powers the water pump, can also be referred to as engine cooling. So, when a car is running hot can be a sign of a failing belt, when it fails your car will tend to overheat. This means that your engine will begin to overheat since it cannot be cooled down anymore.
3. Battery Light May Trigger
The serpentine belt is also used to drive the alternator, which uses power generated to charge your car battery. Therefore, a failing belt might trigger the low battery light in your car. So if the car belt fails, your vehicle will likely overheat. These were the symptoms where you can easily get to know that your car’s serpentine belt is likely to be damaged.
How To Fix The Car’s Screeching Noise?
Here we are considering the issue of screeching noise due to serpentine belts. So below are the solutions to it. Read it carefully and fix it out easily on yourself.
1. Remove The Belt
Car makes screeching noise when turning key on can be solved by simply removing the belt. Try to run the engine without it. If the noise is still present, the motor mounts or belts can be the cause. It is also necessary to examine the pulley and belts for problems like worn-out bearings with the belt off.
2. Fix The Tension
Firstly, place a wrench on the tensioner and move it entirely at least three times. Feel the spring tension along with fluid throughout. Any lateral movement could indicate some belt tensioners. Excessive chattering or tensioner arm movement is not only the result of weak spring tension. This makes the tensioner a wear part with a limited life span.
3. Replace The Serpentine Belts
A worn or damaged belt should be replaced after misalignments, or faulty components have been repaired or replaced. A belt that is past its life expectancy may still look good. even if the engine is noisy replace it. The cost of the serpentine belt depends on the make, model, and year of the automobile. Some models require the tensioner to be replaced along with the belt, so that can be much expensive. However, if you fix it yourself it can save you few pennies.
Is It Safe To Drive With An Improper Serpentine Belt?
The car makes a screeching noise when turning the key on due to the serpentine belt breaking which can add a bit more to the overall cost and also safety falls in danger. So early treatment becomes necessary here. So, the serpentine belt replacement is suggested as soon as the screeching sound symptoms are noticed.
Conclusion
Car makes screeching noise when turning the key on is a common but important issue that cannot be avoided. The serpentine belt is very important for driving the car with enjoyment. It takes care of the battery light, air conditioning, alternator, and even the water pumps in many models. If it starts to make noise, take the problem into notice and fix whatever is the problem.