Hi everyone,

New here & not much car knowledge, so please be kind!

In the last two weeks as the mornings are getting slightly chiller in the UK, I've noticed an intermittent whining noise on cold start-ups. Sometimes I switch the car off and start it up again, and the noise disappears and off I go.

However, last night I tried that several times and it continued (video link below). After about 1 minute or so of driving, the noise disappeared.

/watch?v=R_HsxvXV69M&feature=youtu.be (Can't post full link due to being a newbie!)

It's a 2006 1.2 Fiat Grande Punto with air-con, and on that note I've also lost any cooling from my air-con, and I don't even hear the slight 'click' when I press the AC button.

Let me know if you need anymore information - Thanks guys!

.P.S. Ignore the slight banging you can hear in the video - It's my window wipers on full speed!

Is it the auxiliary belt by any chance? If the belt is worn or the spring loaded tensioner seized it will squeal on startup when the alternator is under load.

I'll have a look when I get home from work tonight - Thank-you! Is there any obvious signs to look for? For example, could the belt look as it should, but just not tensioned enough? :idea:

Had a look at the belt this evening and there's no sign of wear & tear - It was last replaced at 55,000 miles and the car is now nearing 80,000, so could it possibly be a loose belt? I've read that it could be something wrong with the compressor, and the whole thing would need to be replaced & then re-gassed

Lever the tensioner to make sure it is free to move, it is spring loaded so should go back against the belt. If it wont move it is seized. Mine seized solid and would not tension the belt hence the alternator squealing.

Apologies for the delayed reply - Tensioner all seems fine!

The noise hasn't happened since my initial posting - very odd. I now also get a funny smell from my heating every so often when it's switched on - Could this be the air-con attempting to work but it's got damp? I've still lost my air-con, and wonder whether a leak would cause this odd noise/funny smell from my heating!