I did a search but couldn't find any clear info. I have a 1997 town and country 3.8. It has thrown the belt a few times. I bought a brand new belt and installed...once it ran for a few minutes i noticed the belt had "crawled" to the outside edge of the pulley(maybe a 1/8 of the belt off even) i figured the belt tensioner should be replaced. My question...i took out about 6 bolts from everything from the alternator to the bracket the tensioner is mounted on. I think the bracket had 3 bolts on the front that i took off. I cannot get around to the back of the tensioner to take off the one freakin nut, so i can put my new tensioner on. I even looked under the van to see if i had to go in from the bottom. I can't find any removel info anywhere...PLEASE HELP, I NEED HER VAN GOING TONIGHT...THANKS, SCOTT
acton mike
04-30-2006, 10:01 PM
Take a look to see if moving the alternator out of the way cleans up the line of sight at all
96Grand
04-30-2006, 10:07 PM
The tensioner is attached by stud through the bracket with a nut on the back of the bracket.
REMOVE/INSTALL
The Poly-V Drive belt is provided with a dynamic tensioner Fig. 6 to maintain proper belt tension. To remove or install this belt:
Raise vehicle on hoist.
Remove right front splash shield.
Release tension by rotating the tensioner clockwise Fig. 6 .
Reverse above procedure to install.
I would also check this thread, you may have the same problem.
http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4450
Belt Tensioner - Momentary Loss of Power Assist & Belts Thrown
NO: 19-01-97 Rev. A
GROUP: Steering
DATE: Oct. 3, 1997
SUBJECT:
Intermittent Momentary Loss Of Power Assist
THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 19-01-97, DATED JAN. 24, 1997, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES AND NOTED IN THE 1996 SERVICE BULLETIN MANUAL (PUBLICATION NO. 81-699-97010). ALL REVISIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED WITH **ASTERISKS** AND INCLUDE INSTALLATION OF A NEW SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI~V6586709~C30621~R0~OD~N/0/41746574/56417202/56417205/56419253/34853741/100411974/34853743/34872050) AND ADDING 1998 TO MODELS.
MODELS:
1996 - **1998** (NS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager
1996 - **1998** (GS) Chrysler Voyager (International Market)
NOTE : THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.3L OR 3.8L ENGINE.
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
During high humidity climate conditions, some vehicles may experience a momentary loss of power assist for the steering when turning corners with the A/C or defroster "ON" or recently "ON".
1.Inspect the HVAC housing condensate drain tube to determine if a spout has been installed and is in the 4 o'clock position as viewed from the front of the vehicle (refer to illustration). If a spout is not present, perform Repair Procedure A. If the spout is present but not properly positioned, reposition the spout to the 4 o'clock position.
2.With the engine turned "OFF", check the position of the black pointer on the back side of the serpentine belt tensioner in relation to the tensioner casting. This position is the pointer's "home position".
3.Place a 15 mm wrench on the tensioner pulley bolt and apply force to rotate the tensioner clockwise. The tensioner should rotate smoothly and freely with no binding as the tensioner is rotated and released.
4.When the tensioner pulley is released, the black pointer should return to its "home position". Any Binding or resistance to rotation of the tensioner should result in the black pointer not returning to its "home position". If the black pointer does not return to its "home position", the tensioner is not supplying adequate tension to the belt, perform Repair Procedure B.
PARTS REQUIRED:
**AR (1) 04612894AB Tensioner, Serpentine Belt AR (1) 04677435AA Spout, A/C Condensate Drain 1 04861322 Belt, Serpentine Drive**
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
This bulletin involves installing a spout on the A/C condensate drain, ** new serpentine drive belt (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI~V6586709~C30621~R0~OD~N/0/41746574/56417202/56417205/56419253/34853741/100411974/34853743/34872050) ** and on some vehicles, installing a revised serpentine belt tensioner.
Repair Procedure A
1.Install condensate drain tube spout ** p/n 04677435AA ** on to the condensate drain tube so the spout is in the 4 o'clock position.
Repair Procedure B
1.Release the tension on the serpentine belt by rotating the tensioner clockwise and remove the serpentine belt from around the tensioner pulley.
2.Remove the nut attaching the tensioner.
3.Install new tensioner ** p/n 04612894AB **. Torque the attaching nut to 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.)
4.**Install the serpentine belt, p/n 04861322.**
longracing25
04-30-2006, 11:14 PM
got her done....i had to lay on the creeper and get one arm up thru the bottom with a ratchet, a 15mm socket, 4 inch extention AND a pivit piece. It was a BIIIITCH big time. Once you actually get the socket on the nut and get it off....the fun part is trying to get it back on. One comment.....the new aftermarket tensioner i got at autozone....says it has MORE angle built into it to help PREVENT belt creeping or sliding. It says the stock ones were terrible about that.
