Voltage drop issue with screech

[SD NY TJ Owner]

My 98 TJ is acting oddly. I recently had a new serpentine belt installed when one of the tensioners broke and bit the dust. Have had it approx 3 or 4 weeks now. As time has gone by I have been getting a screech that’s gotten worse and worse when I start the car. It will screech for a bit and then resolve.

Last night while driving I got a check gauges light and saw the voltage on the battery dropped quite low. I threw a charger on it today but within 5 minutes it bounced into trickle mode. I started the car up and it starts up easy and quick.

However when I turn on the heater I get a screeching noise from the belt and the voltage drops.

Any ideas as to the issue? Belt need tightening? Or is the alternator going? Or voltage regulator?

Thanks!

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Sounds like the belt came loose. Whomever installed it might not be aware there are two bolts need cranking on down there.

 

[Gilaguy23]

Try tightening it.

 

[JSpike]

That screech is the belt slipping, the question is is what is it slipping on ? You said it did that screech when you turn ed heat on ? Was that defrost heat, that could be a/C compressor making it screech. Try just turning on a/C and see if it screeches.
If your not mechanical inclined you could take it back to however but belt and tensioner in and have them look at it again, which should be no charge for diagnosis.

 

[CharlesHS]

The noise could be related to the Alternator bearings going bad and momentarily slowing or stopping the alternator from spinning due to an over tensioned serpentine belt.
The < '00 TJs had the old style tensioner where you would loosen the adjuster lock down bolt and there was the manual adjuster, but since the "one of the adjusters broke" and was replaced. Each time there is a heavy load put on the charging system you receive a screeching noise which is getting worse; you need to take the Jeep back to the mechanic and have him sort out the problem.