I have a 94 saturn. This started happening like maybe a month ago. When I would first start the car it would be alright and sometimes not, it would make this high squealing noise. I dont know why but it mostly does it at night time. I thought it was the serpitine belt...it wasnt. I just got a brand new one put on. Then i was told it was the idling pulley. Wasnt that either. For a while there it wasnt happening, but i used my air conditioner one day, and used my defrosters another day and it seems to be really actively squealing when they are used. It doesnt do it all the time. Just mostly on startup and when i first start driving and then it seems like when it warms up it would go away. I even let my car warm up and it is fine until i stop at a stop sign or red light it squeals again for a couple of seconds. It seems like when it does squeal that it kinda takes some of the power away from the car as well. Anyone know what the problem is?
I'm sorry this jumps all over the place, just trying to explain it as best as i can.
Thanks in advance!!

 

You indicate idler pulley and serp belt replaced.

How about serp belt tensioner?

When A/C compressor clutch kicks in, the A/C pulley which otherwise spins freely with the A/C off, is now coupled to the A/C compressor -- which the serp belt now is also driven in addition to everything else.

The spring in the belt tensioner weakens over time such that the belt will slip slightly, causing a squeal. Also, the pulley bearing in the tensioner can also go bad.

 

Thanks. I just ordered one and getting it put on today. I hope this solves my problem

 

i had the same symptoms...........right before my tensioner let go on me.

 

Yup...just got the tensioner put on yesterday and it fixed my problem completely. Thanks so much!

 

another happy saturn

 

Yeah.. I have the same EXACT problem. I will be replacing my tensioner very soon. That squealing gets VERY ANNOYING. I just replaced my starter motor and had a hell of a time trying to install/find the upper starter "blind" bolt, but that's another story..