Squealing? Something to do with the belt?
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Alright, this only happens when its been sitting out in the sun (hot weather) all day. I go start it up and it makes a small chirp then silent for a good 5-10 seconds then a load screeching/squealing for a good 30-45 seconds and its the loudest "belt squeal" ive ever heard. Then after that 45 seconds its back to normal amd dont hear it again untill the next hot day
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,172
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From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Start by checking your belt for glazing if none start it and listen to see if one of the pulleys seem to be making the noise. You can also pull the belt and check all the pulleys to see if they are loose. Don't forget the most common reasons the belt needs to be tightened.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Originally Posted by RTorrez1
Start by checking your belt for glazing if none start it and listen to see if one of the pulleys seem to be making the noise. You can also pull the belt and check all the pulleys to see if they are loose. Don't forget the most common reasons the belt needs to be tightened.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 4
From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You may want to pick up a belt tension gauge from the auto parts store and start with that. I know the belt on the 4.0 need to be really tight. If still have the problem after that, pull the belt off and check all the pulleys to see if they feel lose also see if they seem to make any strange sound when you spin them by hand. It could also be a bad bearing one one of them.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Originally Posted by Nperryman
Is your ac on during this squeal? After all you said it was a hot day.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,246
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From: Missouri
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0 L
Originally Posted by Erkmed XJ
I lied it might have been, i had the ac off today when i started and there was no squeal turned it on say 2 min down the road it squealed for 2 secs then stopped
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Originally Posted by salad
Have you noticed your voltage dip low (if you don't have the idiot lights)? I get the same sort of behaviour when my alternator gets wet
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,117
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From: New Hampshire
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Originally Posted by Nperryman
Hmm. It could be the compressor bearing. When was the last time you had the a/c recharged with refrigerant? Is there anyone that can start the jeep for you with the ac off and then turn it on? If so look at the little clutch disc at the front of the compressor by the pulley and listen close to see if that's where it's coming from. I have the same squeal, and it's from my compressor, I think it's just because I don't have any refrigerant in the system to lubricate the bearing and clutch and I have to jump the low pressure switch to even get it turned on. But I'm not sure. It might be a bad compressor bearing.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,841
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From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Belt is absolutely the #1 suspect for a little chirping and squeaking.
Replace it with a Goodyear Gatorback if the current belt has 60k or more on it.
And be darn sure the belt is tight enough. As mentioned, the 4.0 likes a tight belt.
Replace it with a Goodyear Gatorback if the current belt has 60k or more on it.
And be darn sure the belt is tight enough. As mentioned, the 4.0 likes a tight belt.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 281
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From: Garden Prairie
Year: 2000, (1957 Willys)
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I don't have my FSM handy but the torque required for proper adjustment is one half turn past 'holy crap is this tight'. Seriously. First time I used my torque wrench to set my belt, I was sure the FSM was wrong. It's not.



