Can a broken serpentine belt cause my car not to start?
The short answer is yes, your car will start even if the serpentine belt is broken or missing. To get the car going, the battery sends power to your starter motor. However, you do need your serpentine belt if you want the car to run for longer than a few minutes.
Can a bad serpentine belt cause battery to die?
But in both types of engines the alternator is almost always driven by the serpentine belt. So, in all cases, if the belt breaks you can drive until the battery dies … since that’s the only source of electrical power in the car when the alternator isn’t working.
Can you drive your car with a broken serpentine belt?
It is best to not drive a car with a broken belt, even for a short distance. Get the car towed or get a mechanic to come to the car to replace the belt. Everything it turns will stop working. Power steering, AC, alternator, and most importantly, the water pump.
Should you drive with a broken serpentine belt?
What happens if the serpentine belt is not working?
It provides power for the air conditioning, alternator, power steering, and sometimes the cooling system water pump. The serpentine belt is a critical part of this system, and once the engine is running, it continues to operate until the vehicle is shut off. Without a properly functioning serpentine belt, the engine may not run at all.
Where do you find the serpentine belt on a car?
A serpentine belt, also called an accessory belt, is the main engine belt that you see when you open up the hood of your car. These belts are easily identifiable by their distinct ridges that run the length of the belt on one side.
How much does it cost to replace a serpentine belt?
The replacement cost is only going to be between $100 and $200 in most cases. The belt itself will cost between $25 and $80 while the labor costs will probably be between $75 and $120. Taxes and fees will be added onto these prices too. The ease of accessing the serpentine belt will determine how much the labor costs are.
Can a power steering pump work without a serpentine belt?
Some of the main accessories include a power steering pump, alternator, air conditioning compressor, and water pump. However, these devices cannot function properly without the help of a serpentine belt. This one long continuous belt is the force that drives many of the engine’s peripheral devices.