Can a loose alternator belt cause a car to shut down?
Your alternator will not run properly thereby causing the alternator to have low charging and eventually stop charging. If your car runs with a loosen alternator belt for a long time, your car will shut down after draining your battery. Always ensure your alternator belt is well tight, not too tight though, as this has its own effect.
How do you remove an alternator from a car?
If your vehicle does not have an auto tensioner, insert a pry bar or piece of wood between the alternator and the engine. Run the belt over the alternator pulley, then use the bar to pry the alternator away from the engine and increase the tension on the belt.
Why is my alternator belt still squealing after replacing?
For instance, the alternator works optimally with the serpentine belt connecting it to the engine pulley, enabling the alternator to turn together with other belt-driven components in your car. Belt or pulley misalignment is a common issue that causes changed serpentine belt still squealing.
What’s the best way to replace a serpentine belt?
Auto tensioners have either a hole that will fit a half inch drive ratchet, or a bolt you can use a socket to apply pressure to. Insert the wrench or place the socket over the bolt on the tensioner and twist it away from the belt to relieve the tension on it.
When do you need to replace the alternator belt?
Regardless of which design your vehicle uses, you will likely have to replace the belt that powers your alternator at some point in the lifetime of your vehicle. You can replace these belts yourself using common hand tools. Locate the alternator or serpentine belt.
How do you relieve tension on an alternator belt?
If your vehicle does not have an auto-tensioner, you can still relieve the tension on the belt by loosening the bolts attaching the alternator to the engine. As you loosen the bolts, tilt the alternator forward to create slack in the belt.
Where does the serpentine belt go on an alternator?
If you do not have a diagram on the vehicle or in your service manual laying out the direction your serpentine belt travels through the pulleys, take a picture of it with your phone to refer to when installing the new belt. A strictly alternator belt will likely only go around an alternator pulley and the crank pulley at the bottom of the engine.
How can I tell if my car belt needs to be replaced?
If the belt appears dried out and cracks have formed, it will need to be replaced. Use a flashlight to get a good look at the belt in areas that aren’t as visible to look for signs of cracking elsewhere on the belt. Look for other signs of belt damage.