1997 Tensioner Adjustment

[86aaz]

I just replaced the belt tensioner on my 1997 Lesabre Limited and now the alternator (I think) sounds like its screaming. I took a bit of tension off the tensioner while the car was running and it stopped the sound. Is this tensioner adjustable?

Thanks for your help!

-John

[86aaz]

I figured it out! I took the belt off, loosened all of the mounting bolts, then put the belt back on. I then tightened all of the mounting bolts and that held the tensioner in the correct place. Now it's nice and quiet.

-John

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by 86aaz

I just replaced the belt tensioner on my 1997 Lesabre Limited and now the alternator (I think) sounds like its screaming. I took a bit of tension off the tensioner while the car was running and it stopped the sound. Is this tensioner adjustable?

Thanks for your help!

-John

so you had a problem with the belts and now this is occuring?
make sure you have the correct belt..also the tensioner may need to be replaced if it is not suppling the correct tension...I have removed the belt and applied some oil to the tensioner arm if it where stiff and had success ..if its loose and lacks a good spring force then its in need of replacement and at this time replace the belt ..

make sure the belt is seated correctly...new does not mean its good or the correct part.

length and width must be correct..there should be two marks on the tensioner and they should be lined up to each other the more they don't the more the belt is not correct.....

[86aaz]

No, the belt was never the problem. I didn't replace the belt. What happened was the tensioner was not correctly placed when I bolted it in. This resulted in too much tension being placed on the belt. Because of that, something inside the alternator was making a very loud chirping sound.

It works well now, it's quiet and the belt is tracking correctly.

Thanks!