Could it also be the scenario of the alternator not providing charging current until it's throttled up some?  http://www.vw-resource.com/alternator_wiring.html#alt

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Daryl Christensen
Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2011 11:31 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Belt squeal question

Often the load from cranking the engine will make the belt squeal for a bit if the belt is a tad loose.
Till the alt gets some charge going and reduces the alt load then its peachy.

Daryl of AA Transaxle
425-788-4070
"On the cutting edge of Old technology"
86 Syncro Westy w/Turbo Zetec in the trunk

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Robert Stevens
Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2011 11:12 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Belt squeal question

You know when you go to the doctor and tell him/her that "when I do this, it hurts?"
.... and they say: "then don't do that."

Well, why not just turn the head light switch off and start the engine and let us know if this still happens?

I'd "treat" the belt with "treatment" that your FLAPS can provide. It sounds like an alternator-load-related matter to me.

bob
On Feb 24, 2011, at 11:58 AM, Don Hanson wrote:

>  Twice in about a month, my engine alternator/water pump belt has 
> squealed on start up...ceasing to make the noise after just a slight blip of the
> throttle.   I think this  happened  both times when I've forgotten and
left
> on the headlight, then started the van from there.