Belt Tensioner question - 2000 Grand Caravan

[rw1644h]

I just finished replacing plugs and wires. What a job! It took me 10 minutes to replace the front three and two more hours to do the back three. For those attempting to do-it-yourself, make sure you have an assortment of socket extensions and universals.

I accessed #5 from the top. For #3, I put the van on jackstands and came up from underneath. #1 was the most involved. I removed the serpentine belt and then removed the top alternator bolt which allowed me to pivot the alternator back. This provided enough space to access #1 from the top.


This leads me to my question. When installing the serpentine belt, the tensioner didn't spring back and provide tension. Shouldn't the tensioner spring back ? I tapped it lightly with a hammer and drift-pin, which caused it to induce tension. But shouldn't the tensioner do this?
Does it sound like my tensioner is sticking or perhaps has weak spring ?

Is there any trick to replacing the tensioner ?

[Cobra_Sam]

Originally Posted by rw1644h

I just finished replacing plugs and wires. What a job! It took me 10 minutes to replace the front three and two more hours to do the back three. For those attempting to do-it-yourself, make sure you have an assortment of socket extensions and universals.

I accessed #5 from the top. For #3, I put the van on jackstands and came up from underneath. #1 was the most involved. I removed the serpentine belt and then removed the top alternator bolt which allowed me to pivot the alternator back. This provided enough space to access #1 from the top.


This leads me to my question. When installing the serpentine belt, the tensioner didn't spring back and provide tension. Shouldn't the tensioner spring back ? I tapped it lightly with a hammer and drift-pin, which caused it to induce tension. But shouldn't the tensioner do this?
Does it sound like my tensioner is sticking or perhaps has weak spring ?

Is there any trick to replacing the tensioner ?

I know what you have gone through to change the plugs, I have done it a few times and it's not getting any easyer. The tensioner just needs replacing. I changed my serpentine belt 2 years ago and had the same issue, when I pulled the tesioner back to release the belt it just stayed there. I purchased a new one and it's been good so far.