Honda Bull

Okay... it's a 1993 CX hatch and lately... a squealing noise comes from the tranny/starter motor. I'll start the car and it'll squeal for maybe a second or two... then if I turn the lights on, it'll squeal a bit more. While driving, braking while the car is in gear or just coasting in neutral it will squeal. When downshifiting into a gear it will squeal (but it rarely squeals when match-rev downshifting) and when starting from a stop it squeals... so I'll press the clutch in and let it back out.

But I did notice it didn't squeal as much when the lights are off. Any ideas?

Is the starter just bad? Maybe clutch? Any teeth missing off the flywheel/starter motor?

Thanks.

sheepey

i can tell u its not the starter....starter is only used when u start the car . After its on its no longer in use.

EG_intheworks

How old/what condition is your clutch/throwout bearing in? it could be hurtin causing some noise. check your oil? make sure everything is lubricated.
Are u sure its not a belt thats squeeking?

Honda Bull

It's not a belt. It does come from the starter region. The clutch i think is from 1993. We bought the car about 2 years ago but not sure of any of its history. I doubt the transmission had been touched.

I'll check the oil tomorrow in the motor and tranny tomorrow sometime. But it just strikes me that the lights receiving power affect the noise.

jayare05

sounds like an alternator to me.. somewhere in that region.. that would explain why when u turn on ur headlights it squeals and when u brake it squeals.. becuase obvisally when u use those options it uses more power then normal and maybe ur alternators weak.. just throwing out some suggestions.. good luck

Honda Bull

I was honestly thinking alternator at first (Because while my car was getting body work and painted the kid had to install a new alternator - I figured he messed up) but the noise definately comes from the starter motor region. So I've got a brand new alternator (not sure where he bought it at though)

31flavorscivic

The alternator is EXACTLY what it is. Squealing belt. Friend of mine had the problem. Happened when starting, and when the revs drop (from drain caused by headlights), and even at idle, the belt on the alternator squeals because the thing was not tight. It was actually missing a bolt, but when he tightened the remaining one as hard as he could, it fixed the problem.

I know you dont think it's a belt, or the alternator, just give the alternator a good tighten, and make sure its aligned properly with the rest of the assembly so theres no wear or drag on the belt either. Reason I say this is because symptoms matched exactly what I experienced. Not a bad alternator, just not aligned right.

But thats just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Honda Bull

I'll give the alternator a tightening to see what's up. Thanks.

alotawatts

Alternator bearings ...not belt ?

Honda Bull

Yeah. It was the alternator. We tightened it up quite a bit and it runs like a champ. The belt had maybe a quarter of an inch give to it before tightening it. And now its rather firm. I don't know how tight it can go or anything.

I swear the noise came from the starter through. That pisses me off.. Anyhow. Thanks alot.