Serpentine Belt Keeps Falling Off

[GopherM]

undefinedI have a 2000 Gran Caravan with 3.3L engine. Serpentine belt has dropped off 3 times in last 6 months. Belt and tensioner replaced twice. Each time has happened in the rain when running through puddles. Lower plastic splash guard is securely in place below pully assembly. Anybody else have similar problems or know of firm fix for problem. Service manager at Dodge dealership told me not to drive through puddles. Can't plan all my driving for dry weather so this is not a good option. Otherwise...we love the van. 67,000 trouble free miles of joy and good riding. :help:

[N. L.]

I have a '96 Caravan with 3.3L engine and 171,000 miles, same problem. Had belt and tensioner replaced about a year ago, (it came of driving through a puddle on a rainy day). Since then it's come of going through another puddle, once while sitting in an automatic car wash, and two or three more times when wet. Never had the problem with it though, untill last year. Lot's of others have the same problem. There are several posts on this forum about it. But, so far, nobody has a "firm fix". Just been told "keep it dry". I've started carrying my tensioner tool with me, and with the practice I've had, I can have the belt back on in about 5 minutes.

I'm going to put another new tensioner on this week. So far my second new belt, installed last week, has stayed on, but the tensioner is squeaking badly.

[glenB]

Quit driving thru puddles. OK, check to see if the plastic guard behind the right wheel is secure and in place. If need be, replace it. Also ck the lower pulley and clean the grooves, using a steel toothbrush.

[GopherM]

Pully guard is in place. Have had van to dealership 3 times so far and they had the same advice..."don't drive it through puddles." That's kind of hard to do when it rains. I understand that there is a tech services bulletin out for the '99 van with the 3.3L engine. Anyone have experience or information on that?

[glenB]

TSB Number Issue Date TSB Title 21-009-03 AUG 03 A/T - Diagnostic Teardown Procedure
19-005-03 AUG 03 Steering - Power Steering Fluid Usage
19-003-03 AUG 03 Steering Column - Pop/Tick From Steering Wheel Area
18-008-03 MAR 03 Engine Controls - Co-Pilot Support/Cable Selection
09-007-02 OCT 02 Engine - Camshaft/Bearing Inspection/Service
23-044-02 OCT 02 Suspension/Body - Strut Tower Corrosion
08-011-02 AUG 02 Air Bags - Warning Lamp ON Intermittently/Constantly
18-020-02 JUN 02 Engine Controls - Flash Reprogramming Failure
08-007-02 MAR 02 Keyless Entry - Programming Procedure
08-025-01 NOV 01 Air Bag - On/Off Switches
07-006-1 NOV 01 A/T Oil Cooler Line Hose Clamp - Revised
02-004-01 JUL 01 Front Suspension - Knock/Squawk Sound
08-010-01 MAY 01 Airbag/Clock Spring - Service
18-012-01 MAY 01 Generic Scan Tool - Reference Information
05-003-01 APR 01 Brakes - Howl/Moan From The Rear
26-012-00L DEC 00 Electrical - Wiring Schematic Update
23-008-00B NOV 00 Child Seat - Tether Anchor Part Numbers & Labor Time
23-042-00 NOV 00 Sliding Door Power Lock Actuator - Chatter Sound
26-010-00C OCT 00 Fuel System - Service Procedures Update
18-11-00 JUL 00 A/T - DTC P1714 Stored in Memory
23-23-00 JUN 00 Ignition Key - Will Not Turn And/Or Cannot Be Removed
26-05-00F MAY 00 Electrical - Wiring Schematic Revision
08-15-00 APR 00 Instrument Panel Speaker - Intermittent Operation/Static
26-04-00F APR 00 A/C/Interior/Drivetrain - Manual Updates
08-11-00 MAR 00 CD Player - CD Compatibility
23-11-00 MAR 00 Roof Panel - Wavy or has Depressions
22-01-00 MAR 00 Spare Tire - Winch Precautions
26-03-00E MAR 00 Suspension - Coil Spring Service Procedures Update
02-03-00 FEB 00 Front Strut - Knock/Clunk Sound
19-09-99 FEB 00 Steering Wheel - Click/Rattle Sound
18-01-00 FEB 00 EVAP System - Leak Detection Pump Misdiagnosis
26-01-00H JAN 00 Engine - Service Procedures Revision
08-45-99 DEC 99 Radio - Poor AM Reception/Ignition Noise
26-12-99G DEC 99 Electrical - Wiring Schematics Revisions
05-09-99 NOV 99 Rear Wheel Park Brake Actuator/Lever - Service
21-15-99 OCT 99 A/T - Case Porosity/Fluid Seepage
26-10-99E OCT 99 ABS System - 'No Response' Test Revisions
23-35-99A OCT 99 Child Seat Tether Anchor - Labor/Parts Identification
26-10-99B OCT 99 Cooling System - Cooling Fan Relay Revisions
19-06-99 SEP 99 Ignition Switch - Housing Service
21-05-99A SEP 99 A/T Pan Gasket - Reusable Design/Installation
26-09-99 SEP 99 Keyless Entry - Transmitter Programming Procedure Rev.
08-27-99 AUG 99 Speed Control - Does Not Maintain Speed on Grades
23-26-99 AUG 99 Sliding Door - Rattle Noise At B-Post Area
24-10-99A AUG 99 PCM - A/C System Blows Warm Air Intermittently.
23-33-99 AUG 99 Right Side Sliding Door Trim Panel - Rubs Quarter Panel
23-27-99 JUL 99 Quad Seat Easy Entry Latch - Rattles
24-15-99 JUL 99 A/C Compressor - Locks Up At Low Mileage
24-14-99 JUL 99 A/C Suction/Discharge Line - Service
26-07-99A JUL 99 Steering - Steering Gear Removal/Installation Revisions
18-12-99 JUN 99 Leak Detection Pump - Monitor Test
08-16-99A JUN 99 RKE Transmitter - Is Intermittently Inoperative
07-02-99 JUN 99 Serpentine Belt - Loss of Power Steering Assist
23-01-99A JUN 99 B-Pillar - Tick Type Noise While Driving
22-03-99 APR 99 Tires/Wheels - Smooth Road Vibration/Shake/Wobble.
23-11-99 APR 99 Front Seat Assist Handle - Loose Or Pulled Out
22-02-99 APR 99 Wheels & Tires - Low Speed Wobble
21-06-99 APR 99 Speed Sensor - Intermittent Loss of Cruise Control
26-04-99 APR 99 Electrical - Seat Heater Harness/BCM Pin-Out Revisions
26-03-99 MAR 99 Electrical/Suspension - Service Manual Updates
21-04-99 FEB 99 Transmission Range Sensor - Production Change
23-03-99 FEB 99 Power Door Lock Motor - Whirling Noise
08-17-98C DEC 98 Air Bag System - ON-OFF Switch Availibility
23-59-98 DEC 98 Front Door Glass- Windnoise
08-44-98 DEC 98 Memory Power Seat - Travel Range
26-11-98 NOV 98 Body - Power Mirror Description/Operation Revisions
25-02-98 OCT 98 I/M Testing - OBDII CARB Readiness Monitor Information
08-34-98B OCT 98 Electrical Systems - Feature Changes
23-45-98 OCT 98 Paint - Transit Film Protection
03-06-98 OCT 98 CV Boot - Grease Seepage Explanation
08-40-98 SEP 98 BCM - Auto Lamp DTC Diagnostics
02-10-98 SEP 98 Front Strut Bearings - Squeaking/Chirping Noise
19-05-98 AUG 98 Power Steering - Honk Or Squeal Noise at Low Speed
18-25-98 AUG 98 Body Control Module - Erroneous DTC Set
23-34-98 AUG 98 Door Weatherstrip - Falls Off Mounting Flange
08-36-98 JUL 98 Auto Computers - Y2K Effects
08-27-98 JUN 98 Radio - Perceived Loss or Change Of Station Presets
22-01-98 MAR 98 Aluminum Wheels - Special Balance Weights

[glenB]

Phew..... my phangers be tired

[crashed]

After a few days at the dealer, the service manager found a tsb on belt slipping off in the rain. the number is tsb070299. It cost me $268.48 to have a mount,shield,belt.tensioner replaced. just brought it home from the dealership and decided to have a look at the parts that were replaced and the only part I can say was replaced without question is the belt. the shield looks like the same shield that was there before and I see no new mount. I have been searching the web since then to find this tsb to see what the parts that were suppoedly replaced look like, and the procedure to replace. so far with no luck, so if anyone can help me with this your help would be apprecieated. I just want to make sure that the work was done and I didn't get hosed.

[glenB]

If U had read the list of TSB's above, that # is listed. If U know someone w/access to Mitchell, AllDate or Snapon they can get the whole TSB

[fargo59]

Loss of power steering assist and occurs when driving through deep snow or standing water. Snow or rain can enter the engine compartment from underneath the vehicle and force the serpentine belt off of the idler pulley.

PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty Part No. Description
1 04612412 Bracket, Engine Mount
AR (1) 04861322 Belt, Serpentine

Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.

TIME ALLOWANCE:
Labor Op. No. Time
07-20-20-96 0.7 Hrs.

[N. L.]

Hey thanks dodgeguy for the TSB details, I've been looking for that info for a few days. My Dodge dealer parts dept. said they couldn't find it? I don't think they really wanted to. Also, here is some info on the diagnosis and fix for the problem;

http://www.alldata.com/service_provider/techrx/2001/20010615.html

[nedsted]

i put extra rubber guarding all around the belt area. when they get wet it seems to be a problem.

[GopherM]

:crazy: After nearly 6 months of misery and having to contact Chrysler's customer service headquarters directly (because my local dealership was too stupid or lazy) I was also notified that TSB07-02-99 should fix the problem. The dealership also told me on each of my visits when the belt was thrown that the pulley alignment was OK and there was no problem with anything. Don't want to turn this on a rant on the dealership, but I did get angry that I could so easily find the answer to the problem from Chrysler and from forums like this but that the 5 STAR repair center was so clueless. I had the dealership order and install the TSB kit and luckily within a few days of installation our area was hit with a tropical storm with lots of deep puddles to run through. It passed with flying colors. I have run through puddles and some pretty sever snow since then and everything has held together great. If anyone else with a 1999-2000 Caravan is having a similar problem with the belt dropping off when running though standing water, I would highly recommend spending the money to have this kit installed. I was stranded 4 times before I researched the solution myself.

[duranged03]

i just had this problem with my 98, any advice?

[Vicki120]

Help, oh help. I have a '91 Grand Caravan and last Wednesday night my belt came off. It didn't just come off, it shredded the edge and fell off. My husband replaced the belt that night and no problems, made it home. The next day on my way to work it came off about 3 miles from home. It did the same thing. Made a slapping noise like it was coming apart and then came off. He replaced it, again, plus with one of the pullys. Drove fine on Friday. Saturday I went out and guess what happened? You got it. Came off again. He replaced the other pully and belt again. Drove to work this morning and about a half mile from home it started the slapping noise. I got home but it didn't come off.

If anyone has any suggestions or comments, I will entertain them all. I love my Caravan and have had few problems. My poor baby keeps throwing its belt.

[hollocks]

I had this problem after I had a new belt fitted on my 98 GC and it happened three times in about 2 weeks. In the end the dealership contacted Chrysler directly and were told to fit the kit and ever since (touch wood etc) it's been fine - driving through snow and rain. They did it free of charge too.

[Vicki120]

After I posted my message, my father-in-law came over to take a look and he was pretty much stumped. Then he remembered his step-daughter had a problem with shredding belts with her Plymouth Voyager. He called her and she said the assembly was replaced and that fixed the problem. My husband replaced the assembly and so far, so good. Thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely keep you guys in mind if we get stumped again. My husband's pretty good about replacing things but you never know when he will need some help. Thanks again.

[Crane]

Try Goodyear's Gator Belt. Its worked for me for the past 3 months now.

[keeno]

I have seen this before, check the splash shield at the lower right front corner for cracks/broken. If it seems to be intact you can add to the shield with corragated sign board to reduce the amount of water getting on the belt and pulleys. Good luck!