Squeaking belts?

[Teq]

My golf seems to have developed (or i just never noticed before) a bit of a squeak / chirping noise around the serpentine belt area. I'm not sure if it is the belt itself, or something else in the area, but i can hear it when the car is idling, and anywhere up to about 2k rpm, when the engine noise drowns it out. (most noticeable from outside or in engine bay)

The belt seems crack free and fairly clean, so I'm thinking it could be a pulley/tensioner squeaking, and I've read about slipping belts making squealing noises, but as i have very limited experience with cars, i don't know if its the noise I'm hearing. It also seems more noticeable upon startup, possibly quietening down as the engine warms up, but its possible I'm just imagining that (or getting used to it).

Is there any way i can narrow down or diagnose / fix this problem without taking things apart or taking it to a mechanic?

Btw, its a 97 GL

[Dubdubdubdot]

Could be the air comps clutch seizing/not working.

[Teq]

It happens when the air con is on or off, but i can see that that could still be an issue, whats the best way to check this?

would i have to take the belt off and run without it, or try spinning the air con pulley when the car / belt is off?

any alternatives?

[thestu]

yeh mine did that too...i had to replace the belt tensioner that tensions the air comp and alternator belts. try taking it off and lubing it

Stu