[kender]

Normally on our 1998 Mariah 204, when turning the ignition key, a high pitched squeal happens for a couple of seconds until the engine is started. Now, that squeal will not stop. Any ideas?

[mikeyt]

Could be a belt, could be a number of things. Where is the squealing coming from on the engine? If its possibly a belt, you could just rub a bar of soap on the inside of the belt to see if it stops. If so, you need a new belt.

[SEMIJim]

I wonder... There is a warning alarm for over-temp, low oil pressure and low gear lube. There is usually a delay that keeps it from going off for about 20 seconds or so after the key has first been turned on, to give the oil pressure time to come up. But I believe I've heard cases where, for whatever reason, there was no delay and it would come on right away--and until the oil pressure came up.

Could that be what you're hearing? Does it sound like it's coming from behind the instrument panel at the helm?

If that's what it is, now it won't shut off, and you're engine temp and oil pressure are good, you may have low gear lube. Or you may have a bad sensor.

Jim

[mikeyt]

Kinda hard to diagnose with such limited information. But if i remember the movie 'Deliverance', one man's squealing is another man's alarm......