Belt seems too short,already loosened alternator as much as possi

ADJUSTMENT

Excessive belt tension will cause damage to the alternator and water pump pulley bearings, while, on the other hand, loose belt tension will produce slip and premature wear on the belt. Therefore, be sure to adjust the belt tension to the proper level.
To adjust the tension on a drive belt, loosen the adjusting bolt or fixing bolt locknut on the alternator, alternator bracket or tension pulley. Then move the alternator or turn the adjusting bolt to adjust belt tension. Once the desired value is reached, secure the bolt or locknut and recheck tension.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1.5L, 1.6L, 1.8L, 2.0L and 2.4L Engines

Fig. Accessory V-belt routing-Mitsubishi 1.5L, 1.6L, 1.8L, 2.0L and 2.4L engines
Alternator Belt

Fig. Loosen the adjuster lock bolt . . .

Fig. . . . then remove the alternator belt from the engine

1. Loosen the alternator support nut.
2. Loosen the adjuster lock bolt.
3. Rotate the adjuster bolt counter clockwise to release the tension on the belt.
4. Remove the belt.

To install:

1. Install the belt on the pulleys.
2. Rotate the adjuster bolt clockwise until the proper tension is reached.
3. Tighten the adjuster lock bolt and the alternator support nut.

POWER STEERING BELT

Fig. After the adjusting and fixed bolts are loosened, rotate the pump . . .

Fig. . . . then remove the power steering belt from the engine

1. Remove the alternator belt as described above.
2. Loosen the power steering pump adjusting bolts.
3. Remove the power steering pump fixed bolt on the rear of the bracket.
4. Rotate the pump toward the engine and remove the belt.

To install:

1. Install the belt on the pulleys.
2. Rotate the pump until the proper tension is reached.
3. Tighten the adjusting bolts on the pump.
4. Tighten the fixed bolt on the rear of the bracket.
5. Install the alternator belt.

A/C COMPRESSOR BELT

1. Loosen the tension pulley and remove the belt.
2. The installation is the reverse of the removal.

3.0L DOHC, 3.0L SOHC Galant, and 3.5L Engines

Fig. Serpentine belt routing-Mitsubishi 3.0L engines (except 1998-00 Galant models)

Fig. Accessory V-belt routing-Mitsubishi 3.5L and 1998-00 3.0L SOHC Galant engines
ALTERNATOR AND A/C COMPRESSOR

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

CAUTION Wait at least 90 seconds after the negative battery cable is disconnected to prevent possible deployment of the air bag.

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle and remove the front undercover.
2. Loosen the tension pulley fixing nut and relieve the tension on the belt by turning the adjusting bolt.
3. Remove the belt.

To install:

1. Install the belt on the crankshaft and alternator pulleys.
2. Using the adjusting bolt on the tensioner, tighten the belt to the desired tension.
3. Tighten the fixing nut to hold the adjustment.
4. Install the undercover and lower the vehicle to the floor.
5. Connect the negative battery cable.

POWER STEERING BELT

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

CAUTION Wait at least 90 seconds after the negative battery cable is disconnected to prevent possible deployment of the air bag.

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle and remove the undercover.
2. Remove the alternator and A/C compressor belt.
3. Lower the vehicle and remove the cruise control pump link assembly.
4. Place the power steering hose under the oil reservoir.
5. Loosen the tension pulley fixing bolts and remove the power steering pump drive belt.

To install:

1. Install the power steering pump drive belt.
2. Insert an extension bar or equivalent into the opening at the end of the tension pulley bracket and pivot the pulley to apply tension to the belt.
3. Tighten the fixing bolts.
4. Raise the vehicle and install the alternator and A/C compressor belt.
5. Install the undercover and lower the vehicle.
6. Connect the negative battery cable.

3.0L SOHC Diamante

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Loosen the lockbolt on the face of the A/C tensioner pulley.
3. Turn the adjusting bolt of the A/C tensioner pulley to loosen the tension of the A/C belt.
4. Remove the A/C compressor belt.
5. Loosen the locknut on the face of the power steering/alternator tensioner pulley.
6. Turn the adjusting bolt of the tensioner pulley to loosen the tension of the belt.
7. Remove the power steering/alternator belt.

To install:

1. Install the power steering/alternator belt first and then the A/C compressor drive belt.
2. Adjust the belts to the proper tension by turning the adjusting bolts and tighten pulley fixing nut/bolt.
3. Tighten the mounting nut of the power steering/alternator tensioner pulley to 36 ft. lbs. (50 Nm).

loosen the bolts on the alternator let it slide forward put the new belt on. use a pry bar to hold the alternator as far back making the belt as tight as possible and hold it there while you re-tighten the bolts

Hi and welcome to FixYa!

Looks like that you have an alternator belt issue. It was squeaking for the belt is loosen. I strongy suggest that you tighthen it for the alternator to charge the battery. If the alternator belt looks worn then replace it for optimum performance.

Hope this helps and thank you for using FixYa! Have a good one!

FOR THE 3.0L ENGINE IF YOU REPLACE AC BELT LOOSEN TOP IDLER PULLEY CENTER BOLT. IF YOU REPLACING ALTERNATOR AND WATER PUMP BELT LOOSEN ALTERNATOR ADJUSTMENT BOLT AND PIVOT BOLT.IF REPLACING POWER STEERING PUMP BELT LOOSEN POWER STEERING PUMP ADJUSTMENT BOLT AND MOUNTING BOLTS.****** FOR THE 2.4L ENGINE TO REMOVE POWER STEERING BELT LOOSEN TOP IDLER PULLEY.FOR ALTERNATOR AND WATER PUMP BELT LOOSEN ALTERNATOR ADJUSTER BOLT, PIVOT AND MOUNTING BOLTS.FOR AC COMPRESSOR LOOSEN LOWER IDLER PULLEY.

The 97 Corolla has three accessory belts. The alternator belt is the one you see when you look down on the passenger side standing near the front of the engine compartment. If fits over the alternator and the engine pulley. The belt beneath it is the a/c belt (if the car has a/c). It fits over the engine pulley and the a/c compressor. The power steering belt is toward the rear of the engine compartment, on the same side. It fits around the engine pulley and the power steering pump.

Replacing the alternator belt is not too difficult. Standing in front of the car and facing towards the rear, loosen the locking bolt under the right side of the alternator. Then loosen the alternator hinge bolt on top of the alternator. Now you are ready to loosen the alternator belt tensioner adjustment bolt, accessed under the alternator from the front. Turn the tensioner until the old belt is loose enough to remove, then turn it further so that the new belt will go on easily. Replace the belt and re-tension until you have about 1/4 in. to 1/8 in. of play in the belt, tighten the lock bolt and the hinge bolt, and run the engine. If the belt squeals it means you need more tension, but do not overtension. Recheck it after a few days.

Suggest replacing all the belts also. 1st belt, remove coolant reservoir. Loosen the pulley next to the res. then there is a tension bolt behind it. get under the car, the alternator is right there on the passenger side. possible under a small shield. Loosen all the bolts on the alternator, then there is a tentioner on the alternator. Loosen that, remove belt, then take out the rest of the bolts, along with the plug and the ground wire to the alternator. for the P/S belt, loosen the other pulley 14mm, and then the tention bolt is another 12mm.

I believe the air conditioner belt tensioner bolt is underneath the mounting bracket on the compressor, then you can remove the alternator belt by loosening the two bolts from underneath on the alternator then loosen the top bolt and be careful prying the alternator inward to loosen the belt you can short a wire connection. Remove one of the battery cables to be safe!

If it doesn't have an automatic belt tensioner there will be an adjustment screw on either the alternator or power steering pump (possibly both if there are two belts). Loosen the two mounting bolts securing the accessory (ie: alt or p/s pump) and tighten the screw. Once adequate tension is on the belt tighten the mounting bolts.

Sometimes the adjustment is on a seperate pulley and not one of the accessories. If this is the case, loosen the center bolt on the pulley and tighten the adjustment screw. Once tight, tighten the center bolt.

If you have an automatic tensioner there are no adjustments to make the belt tighter.

On the older cars, the alternator was attached by two mounting bolts. The long bolt goes through the alternator and is held on by a hex nut. The short bolt goes through a slotted curved piece into the alternator and is used for adjusting tension on the belt.

Depending on the location of the alternator, it may require you to work from the top of the engine or in some cases from under the car. Determine if any other belt is blocking the alternator belt. If so, this belt will have to be removed first to access the alternator belt.

Use a little penetrating fluid (e.g. PB Blaster) on the threads of both bolts and let it soak in to loosen up any corrosion. Using two wrenches/sockets(one to hold and one to loosen), loosen the long pivot mounting bolt; but do not remove. Then use a wrench or socket to loosen the short bolt and push the alternator towards the engine to allow the belt to be removed.

Installation is the reverse. You will have to lift the alternator up and outward to tighten the belt prior to tightening the short bolt. Then tighten the long bolt. Check tension by pressing down on the midpoint along the longest span between pulleys. Belt should not deflect more than 1/2 to 3/4 inch. If it does, loosen the two bolts and re-tension (you may need a pry bar for adjustment). Some setups use an idler pulley for adjusting tension.

Just did mine today.....Jack up the front as high as possible, remove front passenger wheel, put jackstands under car so it doesn't come down on you, remove the plastic inside fender well by taking out the 2 bolts and 3 plastic toggles, you need to remove the alternator belt to get to the power steering belt so loosen the center nut on the idler pulley/tensioner and then loosen the idler using the bottom nut/bolt to take the tension off the belt, remove the alternator belt first drawing a picture of how the belt is routed on all the pulleys for reassembly. Now loosen the 2 face nuts/bolts on the power steering belt idler pulley/tensioner and then use the nut/bolt on it's bottom to take the tesion off the belt and then remove the belt. Reinstall the belt and reverse everything to get it back together. Put on a new alternator belt on while your at it.