alrighty. so im driving home tonight and start smelling a burnt rubber smell coming from the heater vents. i pull over and lift the hood and theres no smoke, just the odor. i check all fluids and everythings fine. I make it the last 1/2 mile home without incident, just the odor. So, i get home and shut it off. i look around to see if a hose fell off and is touching something hot. nope. so, i start it up again and the belts start squealing. belts are only 5 months old, so condition isn't an issue. i hop inside and turn off the defroster and squeal goes away. squeal then reappears whenever heater or defroster is switched on, with it being more pronounced when the defroster is turned on. additionally, my rpms have always dropped a few hundred for a second or two whenever the defroster is switched on, but ive never really worried about it too much. so, i guess what im wondering is if my heater is locked up or something. i do get air coming through the vents though even though the belts are squealing like crazy. oh, vehicle in question is a 92 Loyale 5sp 4wd wagon. thanks.

not to be a smart butt , but are the belts to tight, my 88 dl did the same thing but no smell , noise coming from the crank pully , my belts were to tight , but it may not be your problem

Could be indicator of Alt going out. A high draw on a defective alt can make the belt squeel. Leave heater off, turn on lights & hi-beams, see if it does then too.

Do you have A/C? Check to make sure the compressor turns freely. The A/C comes on with the defrost to dry the air.

Do you have A/C? Check to make sure the compressor turns freely. The A/C comes on with the defrost to dry the air.

I agree, I had the same thing happen to me ~5 years ago and it turned out the ac compressor had seized - unplug the blue wire going to the A/C compressor clutch and your problem should magically vanish

i agree best to check if the bearings are noisy of seized in the compressor and while your at it check all your other accessories just to be safe.