Chrysler Mini Vans 1996-1999 Serp Belt Slipping

[jeanpierre1997]

If you are having trouble with your serpentine belt slipping while driving in the rain I hope that you would go to the following NHTSA Office of Defect Investigation web site and file a complain http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq. It is a major issue and someone is going to get hurt while driving these mini vans. It has happened to me several times and I am at my wits end to find a fix. If it is a faulty bracket we owners should not have to pay to have it fixed. This should include Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler Mini Vans from 1996-1999 ish

[appstech]

Originally Posted by jeanpierre1997

It is a major issue and someone is going to get hurt while driving these mini vans. It has happened to me several times and I am at my wits end to find a fix.

You'll be happy to know that there is a fix available now. Both Gates as well as Goodyear have a special fix kit available to fix this belt jumping issue. It is really the only thing I have found that actually works.

[neon_rt]

Between the three minivans I've put on over 230K miles and never experienced this problem. I live in Oregon so we see a lot of rain and haven't heard of anyone else around here having the problem either. It must not be as widespread as some think. Of course I've never had a transmission failure either and people complain about that all the time.

[Bear]

Biggest problem in my opinion is a faulty or failing tensioner pulley,I replaced mine on my '96 at 55,000 miles and all is well so far. My friends at Advance auto parts say they sell a lot of replacement tensioners.

[Mrbizness1]

Originally Posted by Bear

Biggest problem in my opinion is a faulty or failing tensioner pulley,I replaced mine on my '96 at 55,000 miles and all is well so far. My friends at Advance auto parts say they sell a lot of replacement tensioners.

Under normal circumstances I would agree, but in my case the problem was a new Mopar belt installed by the dealer as part of a 95k PM at my request.
After getting stuck every time there was a 1/8 inch of rain and being towed back to the dealer 2 times and paying $250.00 for a TSB dated back to 1999 that was a waste of money I solved the problem by installing a standard Dayco belt. I contacted Chrysler and was told the car was to old to qualify for any reimbursement. I have the original tensioner om my 98 3.3 which now has 114k miles. A mechanic told me to resist using a aftermarket fix because the belt is supposed to spin off in case the A/C, water, power steering pump or alternator freezes up. Since the belt change 13 months ago I haven't had any more belt problems. I did change the two pulleys, they were $20.00 each.
At every oil change I spray some lithium grease on the backside of the tensioner to keep it lubricated. I don't know if it actually does anything but it has lasted 9 years.

[Bear]

Glad you have it fixed. I only use DAYCO belts on both my Caravan (3.3) and Neon (DOHC) and have never had a problem with these belts. Keep an eye on the tensioner as these have a history of going south (mine went at 50,000 miles) and i had tp put a aftermarket one on, however after 60,000 miles it is still doing the job.

[appstech]

[quote=Mrbizness1]A mechanic told me to resist using a aftermarket fix because the belt is supposed to spin off in case the A/C, water, power steering pump or alternator freezes up. QUOTE]

I would simply install the goodyear or gates fix kit. It is the only thing that actually works. If some of your accessories freeze up then you have some bigger issues. I for one would rather have the belt stay on the engine while I am driving. This is the safest decision, I believe.

[hundahunta]

NO: 07-02-99
SUBJECT: Serpentine Belt Slips Off Idler Pulley
DATE: June 14, 1999
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves replacing the bracket that the idler pulley attaches to.

NOTE: THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.3L OR 3.8L ENGINE.

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
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.

DIAGNOSIS:
Visually inspect the serpentine belt and idler pulley to determine if mis-alignment exists (If the serpentine belt is off the pulleys install the serpentine belt). Start the engine and let it run for one minute before checking alignment). The belt should be approximately 2mm (0.08 in.) from the inboard edge of the idler pulley (Figure 1) when alignment is correct and this bulletin does not apply. If the belt and pulley appear as in Figure 2, perform the Repair Procedure.

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


REPAIR PROCEDURE:
THIS REPAIR IS COMPATIBLE WITH DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S MOBILE SERVICE PROGRAM AND DOES NOT REQUIRE HOISTS OR OTHER FULL SERVICE FACILITY SPECIAL EQUIPMENT.


Remove the serpentine belt from around the idler pulley by rotating the tensioner clockwise (Figure 3).
Remove the purge duty cycle solenoid and wiring harness from the right side engine mount.
Remove the two right side engine mount insulator vertical fasteners and loosen the horizontal fastener. DO NOT remove the large nut in the center of the core of the insulator (Figure 4).
Remove the load on the engine mount by carefully supporting the engine with a floor jack.
Remove the vertical and horizontal fasteners from the engine side bracket. Remove the engine mount assembly.
Remove the idler pulley from the engine mounting bracket. (Figure 3).
Remove the engine mounting bracket
Install a new engine mounting bracket. Torque the fasteners to 40-68 Nm (30-50 ft lbs.).
Install the idler pulley to the engine mounting bracket. Torque the fastener to 40-68 Nm (30-50 ft lbs.)
Properly route and position a serpentine belt onto all pulleys except the idler pulley (Use a new belt if there is any evidence of damage to the original one).
Rotate the belt tensioner clockwise until the belt can be installed onto the idler pulley. Slowly release the belt tensioner.
Install the engine mount; torque the assembly in the following order, engine mount to rail fasteners 68 Nm (50 ft. lbs.), vertical fastener 102 Nm (75 ft. lbs.), and horizontal fastener 150Nm (111 ft. lbs.).
Install the purge duty cycle solenoid to the engine mount.
Start the vehicle and let it run for one minute then turn the engine off.
Verify the serpentine belt is properly aligned (Figure 1).
If the serpentine belt has moved toward the outboard edge of the idler pulley, further diagnosis will be required.
POLICY:
Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.

[twistedtech]

Originally Posted by Mrbizness1

Under normal circumstances I would agree, but in my case the problem was a new Mopar belt installed by the dealer as part of a 95k PM at my request.
After getting stuck every time there was a 1/8 inch of rain and being towed back to the dealer 2 times and paying $250.00 for a TSB dated back to 1999 that was a waste of money I solved the problem by installing a standard Dayco belt. I contacted Chrysler and was told the car was to old to qualify for any reimbursement. I have the original tensioner om my 98 3.3 which now has 114k miles. A mechanic told me to resist using a aftermarket fix because the belt is supposed to spin off in case the A/C, water, power steering pump or alternator freezes up. Since the belt change 13 months ago I haven't had any more belt problems. I did change the two pulleys, they were $20.00 each.
At every oil change I spray some lithium grease on the backside of the tensioner to keep it lubricated. I don't know if it actually does anything but it has lasted 9 years.

This is the part that gets me right here,I have no idea what kinnda tech would let this fall out of his mouth and I mean fall out because he never thought about it,"A mechanic told me to resist using a aftermarket fix because the belt is supposed to spin off in case the A/C, water, power steering pump or alternator freezes up." It's like this,if one of those pulleys "freeze up " the belt is going to come off for sure.It will be a blazing pile of rubber under the hood.With or with out an aftermarket fix.I for one have not heard or seen any issue of the sort.I have been driving these 50 cent rags for years.Trust me. being a tech,if it starts I'm going.I can't even tell you the last time I was under the hood to look at the belt little lone anything else.I'm not saying that it don' happen just that I have never seen it.