The serpentine belt came off of my 96 caravan. It happened to be raining the night it came off. I took it back to the shop the next day, as they had just replaced the powewr steering pump, so i figured they may not have reassembled things correctly.
my mechanic tells me that they couldn't find anything wrong with the vehicle, after replacing the belt and test driving. he also tells me he installed a "snow shield"to assist in perventing water,snow or other foriegn matter from possibly causing the belt to come off. I'm wondering if there is any kind of tensioner pulley that is made for my year of caravan that has some kind of"lip" on the edge that may prevent the belt from coming off. I have experienced the belt coming off in the past and it seems that the tensioner pulley may be the problem, as it only contacts the back of the belt and there is nothing to keep the belt in place should the belt slip or whatever. Apparently Dodge is aware of the problem as they have come up with and recommended this "snow shield" as a deterrent. Any info/advice you may have would be greatly appreciated ... thanks. mike
Alignment of all pulleys has been inspected repeatedly, all are right on. No shifting or movement of anything that can be seen while in park... i think there needs to be a bracket of some sort designed to bolt onto the tensioner to keep the belt in place should something cause it to slip or hop or whatever...Alignment of all pulleys has been inspected repeatedly, all are right on. No shifting or movement of anything that can be seen while in park... i think there needs to be a bracket of some sort designed to bolt onto the tensioner to keep the belt in place should something cause it to slip or hop or whatever...
ok basics since i dont know that van very well what else is driving off that belt? have you taken a straight edge and checked to be sure one is not out of alignment. or something bending when loaded? everything was ok? nothing locking up causing belt to hop?ok basics since i dont know that van very well what else is driving off that belt? have you taken a straight edge and checked to be sure one is not out of alignment. or something bending when loaded? everything was ok? nothing locking up causing belt to hop?
You can't post conmments that contain an email address.
- If you need clarification, ask it in the comment box above.
- Better answers use proper spelling and grammar.
- Provide details, support with references or personal experience.
Tell us some more! Your answer needs to include more details to help people.You can't post answers that contain an email address.Please enter a valid email address.The email address entered is already associated to an account.Login to postPlease use English characters only.
Tip: The max point reward for answering a question is 15.
I am not familiar with the computer codes but I think you can get them from the Internet. The reason I'm responding is that I had trouble with my serpentine belt coming off when water splashed up. It happened 2 times and just wouldn't stay on. I took it into a shop near where it happened the second time - lucky me! - and they replaced the idler pulley saying it happens when it gets worn...over 4 years now and no problems with it to date. It cost me around $100. Good Luck!
Hi, Thanks for writing to Fixya.com. In such cases you need to check the belt tensioners. Take the bolt out of the center of the tensioner, should come off at this time, align peg of new tensioner with hole, replace bolt, put breaker bar or ratchet in square hole and put the new belt on. If it’s the serpentine belt then. its advised to replace the idle pulley bracket to align the pulley better with the belt. But it only applies to 96 to 98 models. Mine is 99 grand caravans 3.3, supposed with new bracket, but still has the problem. I saw two other occasions on the web complaining about this (drive in deep snow, through puddle). Use extra cautions when in any of these situations. Thanks for contacting Fixya and please accept the solution if it has helped you.
Check alignment of the belt and check the condition of the belt because once it comes off it will continue to come off because the strands in the belt are broken.
i would check the pully's to see if the bearings are loose and check the belt tensioner
chrysler has a tsb for this issue but that is when you are loosing the belt when it is raining and you said it happens even when it is dry
actually, the tensioner is fairly new.(6 mo.)
Alignment of all pulleys has been inspected repeatedly, all are right on. No shifting or movement of anything that can be seen while in park... i think there needs to be a bracket of some sort designed to bolt onto the tensioner to keep the belt in place should something cause it to slip or hop or whatever...
ok basics since i dont know that van very well what else is driving off that belt? have you taken a straight edge and checked to be sure one is not out of alignment. or something bending when loaded? everything was ok? nothing locking up causing belt to hop?
×