The Irish Mitsubishi FTO Owners Club

by **Dragonheart** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:33 pm

The FTO is barely starting in the mornings and when it does the belts are squeaking something ferocious until shes driven for about 15 mins. What happens is the battery gauge drops to 12V and the engine idles low, about 500rpm, then the belts start making racket, sometimes it lasts a few seconds, sometimes a few minutes, only ever when stopped, like at lights or something, just before they go green too so when I press the accelerator the squeal gets louder! But after a bit, the gauge hits the 14V mark and its fine, if stopped the engine starts to idle higher, about 1000rpm.
My obvious thought is its the battery, which it more than likely is, but could it possible be something to do with the stepper motor too? Would rpelacing that make any difference at all? Cause its really bugging me and I cant get a battery before I change the lugs to fit stupid bloody non-Jap batteries!
Thanks.

by **kevinod** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:18 pm

Alternator belt... battery is 12V, but the alternator when running pushes that up to the 14v. The screeching would be the alternator belt slipping, thus the alternator not turning, and thus not generating electricity.

Adjust your alt belt tension for starters and see how it is then.

by **Bernard** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:15 pm

The FTO battery is listed in halfords, surely it would fit?

by **kevinod** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:21 pm

Mightn't be any harm to renew the battery connectors anyway, my negative connector was literally falling apart around the connector. Have one that screws onto the cable now so can swap it easy when I get to upgrade to a better battery.

by **gfalls** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 8:53 pm

Bernard wrote:The FTO battery is listed in halfords, surely it would fit?

They list the FTO models from 1999 to 2003...Do they know something we don't? :?:

by **Bernard** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 4:44 am

gfalls wrote:They list the FTO models from 1999 to 2003...Do they know something we don't?

Ralliart imports?

Website · by **Muad_dib77** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 10:59 am

I don't think you need a new battery..tighten your alternator belt a wee bit.. maybe drizzle it with a bit of talc (I know this seems odd but it removes moisture)..

give the tensioner a twist or two - that ought to sort it right out.

by **Dragonheart** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:28 pm

Well I did think it was the belt day one cause its the obvious thing to be the cause of the squeaking, but then I was thinking why does it only happen in the mornings, or when the car is left idle for a while, its grand after driving for a bit, whick I presumed was that the battery was after charging up a bit. Also the bolts or what ever they are for tightening the tensioners are rounded, cant do it with any tools I have. Bummer.

by **colm_mcm** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:17 pm

surely the Mitsubishi garage should have copped that the adjuster was worn when you got that huge service? will it turn with a vice grips?

by **Dragonheart** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:00 pm

So I got the battery tonight and fitted it no prob, easy pickings. No probs with lugs or any other crap, think the fellas where I went to first didnt want to do it cause there was earthing wires attached or something. Anyway, the bloody stupid squeaking is still there!!!!! My alt belt is tight, I mean you can barely move it and I dont want to tighten it any more cause it'll snap I'm afraid! I'm wondering could it be alterntor itself giving me grief?? Any thoguhts? Please?? Its driving me nuts!!

by **Dragonheart** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:08 pm

Ok, this is a weird one that I found when doing a search for it, seriouslt doubt its the problem though;
Starter drive not disengaging from flywheel after engine start`s.

Website · by **Muad_dib77** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:12 pm

Dragonheart wrote:Ok, this is a weird one that I found when doing a search for it, seriouslt doubt its the problem though;
Starter drive not disengaging from flywheel after engine start`s.

Ah that would result in a world of mad noises..

I still think your belt is slipping..A pair of replacement belts don't cost much..but if your tensioners are rounded you could be in for a bit of cursing and swearing when you go to put them on...

by **Dragonheart** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:58 pm

I only got the belts done couple of months ago. I'll pop the lid at the next meet and someone can tell me then if the belts are loose or not, just for piece of mind.

by **kevinod** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:45 pm

If you want to check the tension is right, you can get a belt tension tester, Halfords and Motorways have a Draper one, don't think it's too expensive. You can get the tension it's supposed to be from the workshop manual and then you'll know for sure.

by **steelroe** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:57 pm

You belts are too tight.

Website · by **Muad_dib77** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:33 am

steelroe wrote:You belts are too tight.

really too tight can cause the noise as well?? Didn't know that .. very handy indeed..

by **Dragonheart** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:39 pm

Solved it!!!! Well, to be honest I didnt, Drew did, with the press of a button, totally accidental. he turned off the freaking air con yesterday!
I went out this morning, turned the key, cringed waiting for the morning screech, and, nothing. Drove off, still nothing, nothing all the way into work! Thinking in work then and thought the problem has to be the air con is pulling to much power from the battery when its just starting so it causes the belts to squeak caue they're working overtime to drive the alternator. Came out of work and decided I'd put my theory to the test, so turned on the car, no noise, good. Waited a few minutes to make sure, and then turned on the air con, needle drops straight away and screeeeeech, turned it off, needle pops back up, and silence! So if anyone has a squeaky belt, try turning off your air con, the cheapest way to solve the problem!!

by **Masa** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:57 pm

lol ok, so you always drive with the air cond on ?

you're rich :lol:

by **steelroe** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:21 pm

You either have a loose belt or the air con clutch is starting to seize.

by **Dragonheart** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:39 pm

Aw man! What the hell is an air con clutch!?

by CJ » Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:52 pm

Dragonheart wrote:Aw man! What the hell is an air con clutch!?

Its a unit on the side of the aircon pump, jack up the car and you'll see the clutch on the drivers side, the centre section should spin by hand. Common enough FTO problem.

I always turn the aircon off before turning off the engine - you're putting an extra load on the engine by leaving it on when starting.

CJ

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