Jeul

I'm about to put some money on a new distributor, but I need to rule out this one problem out first and I'm hoping to get some help.

I used to get a high pitched squeal when I start my 96 Accord (197k) (no check engine light). It is very loud and often is only heard in the mornings (ie when the car has been sitting a while). It happens at idle and when I first start out accelerating. This is the funny part. It usually goes away when I turn off the blower fan. So I'll be going along, accelerating after a stop sign when a huge high pitch squeal deafens any pedestrian in the vicinity, then I'll turn off my fan and it just stops. Not always, but usually.

Now, I'm saying "used to get a high pitch squeal" because I hardly ever get the squeal any more. Instead what I'm getting is a car that randomly turns off. Like someone is flipping a switch and the car just shuts down. This happens usually at lower speeds in the cold mornings around town. The car is fine when it's been warmed up and driven long distances for a while. But the funny thing is that I hardly ever hear the squeal any more, but I get the car shutting down issue. It's almost as if when I hear a faint squeal, it's a sigh of relief because my car then becomes more reliable.

So I have 2 questions:

1. Is the high pitch squeal likely to be a loose belt, or something related to the ac or blower? Again, it's very loud and difficult to gage where its coming from.

2. The main question. Is there ANY possibility these two issues are related? Is it possible my car is shutting down because of something faulty with the ac/blower?

I'm inclined to think the two problems are independent, but I'm just not sure and would hate to spend money on the wrong problem.

Thanks

nus_dogg

That squeal may be one of the serpentine belts(PS or AC belts) that might be loose. Belts usually squeal right when you started up cold just like you mentioned.

About the other issue, I doubt its related. What do you mean but shutting down? Car just died out of nowhere?

Jeul

Yes, just shuts down out of nowhere, nice and easy, randomly but usually at low speeds. Efforts to restart it immediately fail (cranks, but doesn't start). I have to wait a good 5-10 minutes to restart it.

If you don't think the car shutdown is related to the heater/blower unit, this will help me immensely.

Is there any possibility the squeal or lack-of squeal is related to the car shutting down?

fleetw00d

The squeal is probably the A/C belt slipping, particularly if you are using it for defrosting the window. Turning off the fan turns off the compressor and unloads the belt. If it has been a while, replace both the accessory belts. Probably not related to the shutting off problem.

j3wman

When does your car stall "shut down randomly"? like when youre idling or when youre driving?

Jeul

It's not a predictable shutdown, it just shuts down. It has shutdown when in park in idle, while slowly accelerating, and while decelerating. Always when the car is fresh in the morning. Again, the shutdown issue goes away when the car has been driven for a while.

A few times I have driven to the gas station to fill up the vehicle. It drives fine, I shut my engine off to fill up. I get back in the car to leave, and the car won't start. It cranks with no starting. So this isn't an instance of it shutting down, it's just not starting. I wait 5 minutes, it starts up fine again and I'm off on my way.

I'm just concerned that I'm not hearing a squeal any more, instead I'm having a car shutting down on me.

nus_dogg

When you say you have to wait a good 5-10 mins to restart, that tells me that its a main relay issue. Thats what they do; they won't start for another 5-10 mins.

accord_raffi

The squeal is your belts and is unrelated to the car shutting off. I have heard of the main relay being an issue on warm temperature starts, not the cause of an immediate stall out so I don't think that's it.
The first thing I would do is the hook up and OBD scanner to it to check for any hidden codes. It might tell you exactly what's wrong.
I would go to the accord FAQ and do the steps for cleaning the IACV if the obd scanner doesn't point in you in a better direction.

Accord&Odyssey

I also have this annoying squeak on my 2000 Accord V6 EX.

Is there a DIY on how to replace (and adjust) the PS and AC belts? I know the gist of it, but I don't exactly know what bolts do what and I'd rather not experiment.

If there is no DIY, is anybody willing to provide pics that show:
-the location of the tensioner (for both AC and PS)
-adjustment nut that tightens or loosens the belt itself

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

accord_raffi

try the accord FAQ sticky

Accord&Odyssey

Already checked and it doesn't have anything I need.

I'm looking for a DIY (with pics, hopefully) on how to change/refill ATF, tighten accessory belts, and change engine mounts all for 2000 Accord V6 EX.

torneoboy

belts accumulate moisture when cold so you'l be squeely till you get neew belts and adjust them right,the shutting doen id imagine is a relay as suggested above or maybe you have a loose earth wire somewhere causing you to lose power?