# Noise when I turn on a/c / easy way to test belt? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** belts, airconditioning, tacoma, toyota\ **Created:** [April 5, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/noise-when-i-turn-on-a-c-easy-way-to-test-belt/46992 "2010-04-05T18:02:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dbutts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@dbutts](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dbutts)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/noise-when-i-turn-on-a-c-easy-way-to-test-belt/46992/1 "2010-04-05T18:02:39Z")
Hi, when i turn on the a/c, it makes an awful squealing noise for about 3 sec then goes away. I’m guessing its either a) belt, b) a/c clutch c) compressor or d) other. What’s an easy way to test if its the belt? Seems like I remember something about spraying (water, hairspray, oil, spraypaint, jetfuel, plutonium, something) on the offending belt to test it. Here’s another clue: with the a/c on, it makes a very minor ‘chirp’ sound about once per minute. Only with a/c on. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2010, 6:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/noise-when-i-turn-on-a-c-easy-way-to-test-belt/46992/2 "2010-04-05T18:16:04Z")
Sounds like a glazed belt. Try the water test. Depending on the mileage it may be time to change any idler or tensioner pulleys too. ---
**Author:** ![dbutts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@dbutts](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dbutts)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2010, 6:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/noise-when-i-turn-on-a-c-easy-way-to-test-belt/46992/3 "2010-04-05T18:19:50Z")
roger that and thanks. I can change a belt, and tighten the tensioner. Just wanted to try to figure how how to isolate the problem before taking it in.