yummy_skittles_face
New member
i just replaced the serpentine belt. and my car wont start. my battery wont hold a charge. is it just the alternator or does it have something to do with the belt too
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my stupid ford taurus?
- Thread starter yummy_skittles_face
- Start date
M
moviescarsfun
Guest
If replacing the belt is the only thing you did and the problem occured quickly after that. You routed the belt wrong. There should be a diagram on the hood or radiator support. If not, go to a parts store. They most likely can get you a diagram.
My Evil Twin
New member
Sounds like you forgot something basic & crucial.
I'd take it to a repair shop and have it checked out by a qualified mechanic.
I'd take it to a repair shop and have it checked out by a qualified mechanic.
piefkeholz
New member
Ensure you have the belt on as shown on the diagram in front of the radiator. If the belt is not tight enough the alternator will not be charging at the rate it should. Grab the belt and move it back and forth to see how tight it is, it should only have about 1/2 " of play . When the belt is new it will loosen a bit at first so you should tighten it anyway. As long as the red light is not coming on when driving then the alternator should be charging. Once you get it started and drive for a hour or so the battery should be up enough to start it. If you go to start it in the morning and it won't turn over then the battery must be shot.
It sounds like the belt is not turning the alternator. The battery would go flat due to this, and also you may be expereincing your headlights going dim at night. eventualy the fuel pump may not be able to pump fuel, and the engine will stop.
Get it checked out, the garage will know the correct routing for the belt.
if you want to try fitting it again, make sure the alternator bracket is nice and adjusted, so the belt is very tight so when the engine runs, all the pulleys are rotating.
Then with a DC voltmeter and the engine running, rev the engine to 2000rpm, and measure across the battery, you should have about 13.8V to 14.2V to indicate tht the alternator is charging. Also the idiot light on the dash with the battery symbol should go out when the engine is running, to indicate the feild voltage is 12V.
Get it checked out, the garage will know the correct routing for the belt.
if you want to try fitting it again, make sure the alternator bracket is nice and adjusted, so the belt is very tight so when the engine runs, all the pulleys are rotating.
Then with a DC voltmeter and the engine running, rev the engine to 2000rpm, and measure across the battery, you should have about 13.8V to 14.2V to indicate tht the alternator is charging. Also the idiot light on the dash with the battery symbol should go out when the engine is running, to indicate the feild voltage is 12V.
It sounds like the belt is not turning the alternator. The battery would go flat due to this, and also you may be expereincing your headlights going dim at night. eventualy the fuel pump may not be able to pump fuel, and the engine will stop.
Get it checked out, the garage will know the correct routing for the belt.
if you want to try fitting it again, make sure the alternator bracket is nice and adjusted, so the belt is very tight so when the engine runs, all the pulleys are rotating.
Then with a DC voltmeter and the engine running, rev the engine to 2000rpm, and measure across the battery, you should have about 13.8V to 14.2V to indicate tht the alternator is charging. Also the idiot light on the dash with the battery symbol should go out when the engine is running, to indicate the feild voltage is 12V.
Get it checked out, the garage will know the correct routing for the belt.
if you want to try fitting it again, make sure the alternator bracket is nice and adjusted, so the belt is very tight so when the engine runs, all the pulleys are rotating.
Then with a DC voltmeter and the engine running, rev the engine to 2000rpm, and measure across the battery, you should have about 13.8V to 14.2V to indicate tht the alternator is charging. Also the idiot light on the dash with the battery symbol should go out when the engine is running, to indicate the feild voltage is 12V.