1999 kia sephia broken drive belt

[afretired61]

Hi all

I am new to this forum, but I am hoping that I can get some quick help on my car. I have had a squealing belt for some time and yesterday while I was drivin down the road the squealing abruptly stopped and the battery light and brake light indicators illuminated on the dash. Well, I turned around and drove the mile back home, popped the hood and discovered I had a broken belt (inside one closest to engine). Is this the Air conditioning belt?The engine seems to run fine without the belt on....It may be a few days before I can have it replaced - is it bad to run the car without this belt? Is it hard to replace? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Dennis

[cbeck]

I looked under my hood to make sure, and it apears the belt closest in to the engine is connected only to the alternator, hence the batery light. wont hurt to drive the car without it, but you'll be stranded soon as the batery goes dead (likely in the middle of the road) and no level of jumping off will help you. If you have a battery charger, I'd charge it and go to the parts store to get a new belt, then put it on there.

Edit: oh, you mentioned how to replace it too... shouldn't be hard. the pulley is fixed, so there should be a bolt in a slot on the alternator that will let it slide when loosened, and a mounting bolt.

*Losen both of those, pull the alternator toward the front and up, slide the belt on.
*Then with a crow bar or seomething else you can pry with (breaking bar would work) pry for tension and tighten the bolts back down. Might help if you have a buddy with you to do the prying.

BUT FIRST

You gotta take off the other belt. This works the same way, just replace the word alternator with power steering pump in the above. the ps pump should be the one closest to the front and top of the engine compartment.

[afretired61]

Thanks Cbeck,

I have another vehicle, so I will get a new belt and hopefully be able to get it on with no problems. I have the car back in driveway, so I guess I am lucky the belt broke only a mile from the house! I wonder why the brake light popped on also?

[cbeck]

Good luck! Let us know how it goes. (i drew a blank on the break light, still do, unless abs is tied in with it?)

[workingout]

Regarding the lights:
Same thing happened to me except it was the Fuel light and the tank was full. go figure

[MeettheCreeper]

Originally Posted by afretired61

Hi all

I am new to this forum, but I am hoping that I can get some quick help on my car. I have had a squealing belt for some time and yesterday while I was drivin down the road the squealing abruptly stopped and the battery light and brake light indicators illuminated on the dash. Well, I turned around and drove the mile back home, popped the hood and discovered I had a broken belt (inside one closest to engine). Is this the Air conditioning belt?The engine seems to run fine without the belt on....It may be a few days before I can have it replaced - is it bad to run the car without this belt? Is it hard to replace? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Dennis

Brake light comes on all Kias when the charging system shuts down.

THe alternator belt is easy to change. The power steering belt you must remove, is not.

[MikeHartwig]

I was just driving home tonight, I hear the belt squeeling, and then a sudden clank. Sqeeling went away. Got a bit further down the road, the battery light went on, the fuel light when on when i had half a tank still, the airbag light went on, and it started to overheat.

I have not looked @ it yet, because it is still dark out, but it sounds like the same symptoms. What is a good price for a new belt?

[workingout]

cheap is $9

Top of the line $18

[MikeHartwig]

ok. so i had the belt replaced by kia, and they charged the battery. did not hear squeel noises, until just now. Guy said I also need a new valve cover gasket. Is it possible for oil to leak onto the alternator belt from the valve cover causing it to slip?

[derb]

doubt it is oil from valve cover. sounds like bearings may be going in alt.had same prob in 96 i have.replaced alt,then belt promblems stoped. not saying oil on belt impossible but not likely. good car but never likes cheaper of fix. if it is the bearings ,at fist they tend to act up when car is hot and alt is under load. this cause more resistance. hope you have good luck.

[tboh]

cbeck

I sent you a private message but don't know it I did it right. I have a similar issue with my 2000 Kia and could use some advice. Are you currently online here at AF?