Alternator question

I have a 2000 Toyota Avalon. It sometimes makes squealing on startup.
I had the belt replaced. Twice it has made loud squeals. The
alternator pulley is very hot. . I take the belt off and the
alternator spins freely. It runs for a while with no problem. I
called the local Toyota dealer. They said the alternators are very
reliable and is probably not the problem. Two independent repair
places say the same. Can an alternator freeze up and free itself like
that? What do you think the problem is?

"Ray" <Ray@ray.com> wrote in message
news:ts5lf4dsvs1ngpiram8pkvdau2uaqc5vjv@...
>I have a 2000 Toyota Avalon. It sometimes makes squealing on startup.
> I had the belt replaced. Twice it has made loud squeals. The
> alternator pulley is very hot. . I take the belt off and the
> alternator spins freely. It runs for a while with no problem. I
> called the local Toyota dealer. They said the alternators are very
> reliable and is probably not the problem. Two independent repair
> places say the same. Can an alternator freeze up and free itself like
> that? What do you think the problem is?

The tension on the belt.
Is there a tension cam involved? If so thats more than likely the problem.

On Oct 18, 9:13 pm, Ray <R...@ray.com> wrote:
> I have a 2000 Toyota Avalon.  It sometimes makes squealing on startup.
> I had the belt replaced.  Twice it has made loud squeals.  The
> alternator pulley is very hot.  .  I take the belt off and the
> alternator spins freely.  It runs for a while with no problem.  I
> called the local Toyota dealer.  They said the alternators are very
> reliable and is probably not the problem.  Two independent repair
> places say the same.  Can an alternator freeze up and free itself like
> that?  What do you think the problem is?

The pully heat should be from the alternator generating electricity,
if its hotter maybe a bearing is bad. I think belts can squeal if to
tight or loose, check tension, there is belt lube if tension is
correct.

Ray wrote:
> I have a 2000 Toyota Avalon. It sometimes makes squealing on startup.
> I had the belt replaced. Twice it has made loud squeals. The
> alternator pulley is very hot. . I take the belt off and the
> alternator spins freely. It runs for a while with no problem. I
> called the local Toyota dealer. They said the alternators are very
> reliable and is probably not the problem. Two independent repair
> places say the same. Can an alternator freeze up and free itself like
> that? What do you think the problem is?

One thing you might try: make sure that you don't have any
high-drain accessories (like the rear defogger, lights, seat heater if
any, etc) switched on when you start the engine. You should also make a
habit of turning those things off a few seconds before the engine, so
when you start the car the alternator is under less load.

On Oct 18, 10:13 pm, Ray <R...@ray.com> wrote:
> I have a 2000 Toyota Avalon.  It sometimes makes squealing on startup.
> I had the belt replaced.  Twice it has made loud squeals.  The
> alternator pulley is very hot.  .  I take the belt off and the
> alternator spins freely.  It runs for a while with no problem.  I
> called the local Toyota dealer.  They said the alternators are very
> reliable and is probably not the problem.  Two independent repair
> places say the same.  Can an alternator freeze up and free itself like
> that?  What do you think the problem is?

I`ve had a problem like this on other vehicles and what it was ? in my
vehicles ? was a battery that wouldnt hold its charge anymore.

What happens is MAYBE / there is a dead cell in the battery or a weak
one which runs the battery down when parked .

On startup the alternator is fully loaded to recharge the weak battery
and therefore May/?MAKE THE BELTY SQUEAL BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY LOAD ON
THE ALTERNATOR.

I WOULD CHECK THE BATTERY AND SEE IF ANY CELLS ARE WEAK..
IF ITS THE ORIGINAL BATTERY ?

THAT WOULD BE MY BEST GUESS AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

If its the battery ? get it replaced ASAP as the constant full load on
the alternator could/will, burn a diode .

(Been there done that )

I apologise for the caps key got stuck.