QuestionI just bought this car 32 hours ago, and it's been squealing very loudly whenever I pull off from a stop,red light, or a turn. Also, yesterday it just would'nt turn on. All the lihts and everything worked, so I don't think it ws the battery, but it would'nt crank,catch, or turn over at all. This is my first car and I'd really appreciate your help.
AnswerIf it won't crank, it's a very good possibility the battery is discharged. If you've got a voltmeter, put it on the battery and try to start the car. If the voltage goes below about 10V when trying to start the car, the battery is discharged. It takes significantly less electricity to operate the lamps (or anything else on the car) than it does the starter, so the fact that other items operate doesn't necessarily mean you battery isn't discharged.
If that's the case, you'll then need to figure out why it's discharged. It's possible the battery won't hold a charge, in which case you'd need to replace it. But it's also possible that the squealing you heard was from the alternator belt slipping. This could be because the belt is loose or because the alternator bearings are bad. Bottom line, if your battery is discharged, you should thoroughly check the charging system to make sure it is functioning properly. You won't be able to do this with the tools you have around the house, but if the battery voltage is between 13.5V and 15.5V while the car is running, that's a pretty good indicator that the alternator is operating properly.
