Ok. So I just pulled up to the gate at the military base and I am feeling embarrassed as I show my ID to security. Because my car starts screeching a horrid sound! I continue past the guard and it seems to go away, so I turned up my radio...Then i seem to hear something...its the screeching again...its terrifyingly loud. There are people walking on the sidewalk giving me looks. So I decide its time to pull over and park.

I pop the hood. Belts look fine. Saw a little smoke just before I popped the hood. Nothing major. Nothing looks out of place under the hood. I go back to start and see if its still screaming at me. She turns over, as the lights dim she's trying to start up...she never does. Try again, she cranks up, but shes still screaming at me...

Call me crazy, but this sounds like a major issue...Any ideas as to what it might be? Cam?

Thanks for the help.

 

I once had an alternator fail. It was an '88 c1500 sportside with the 350. I didn't even realize the alternator locked up until the engine died. I was driving along the interstate, enjoying the scenery. Not watching my gauges.
When I popped the hood, the serpentine belt was entirely gone. And after a day of waiting calling waiting, towing, walking, and wrenching, I nearly ruined the replacement belt.
Now, you can check yours 2 different ways. Either fire it up then watch the pulleys, or take the belt off and try each pulley by hand.
If it's not the belt and not any of the pulleys, then it's probably something serious. And if so, then better to check the above by removing the belt first.

 

Thanks. Ill test that after work.

Also, i forgot to add what the smell was. It smells sort of unexplainable, but I want to say its like hot rusty water??

 

Also. When im testing the pulleys. if its gone out will it not turn by hand?

 

with that smell look underneath for leaks. check fluids

 

No fluid leaks except for the power steering pump. The cap is corroded so all the fluid leaked out of the top.

I am going to fill it up a bit and see if thats what the screeching was. Hopefully this will get me one step closer to figuring the issue out.

 

Added power steering fluid. nothing solved there. However, I did notice that a pulley was not rotating. Its right below the ac compressor, to the left of what I believe is the water pump. (I am a complete newb, just in case I never mentioned that before)I believe its just an idle pulley bearing thats shot. Ordered new one from autozone and a new serpentine belt /w 3 yr standard warranty.

Hopefully it's smooth sailing from there.

 

Sounds like the smog pump has frozen up - if serpentine belt car either replace the smog pump, or delete it (www.thirdgen.org/serpentine) - you can't drive the car like this until you do one of the two. If V belt car then just remove that belt for now, and then replace or delete smog pump.

 

when mine went bad it hummed

 

Ive got a new smog pump ill be installing today. Thanks for the help and I'll keep you updated.

 

She purrs now. New dayco belt and re-manufactured smog pump.

Thanks to everyone @ thirdgen