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Car Forum / Pontiac / Pontiac Cars / October 2008HUGE PROBLEM--- Please Help--
Greetings to all, I am a first time poster here. My wife has a 96 Grand Am, we have had relatively few problems with it and it has been a great car for us. Today was another story. While I was driving I stopped to make a u turn, when I did the car stalled suddenly. I restarted it with no problem, however the power steering was gone and there was a red battery indicator on the dashboard that was on. Realizing there was a problem I began driving to a spot where I could safely stop the car. While I was driving, which was no more than half a mile and a few minutes I noticed the temp gauge climbing dangerously high. I stopped, turned the car off and got out to find there was coolant leaking from where appeared to be the overflow. I also noticed that the belt that passes through the alternator was seriously loose, as in I could remove it was little effort if I needed to. That is where we stand. I know that it not alot of info, but any ideas? Thank you to any and all who can reply. Jamie > Greetings to all, > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Thank you to any and all who can reply. You need to replace that belt. Its connected to your alternator (which charges your battery, hence, with the belt so loose, your battery was dying, hence the light coming on). It is also connected to your power steeering pump, as well as your water pump. That belt needs to be tight, and if it is loose, it needs to be replaced. > Greetings to all, > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Jamie Sounds like the belt or something broke. Drive it without a belt long enough and the engine will over heat and melt down. > Greetings to all, > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Jamie Find out what let loose and caused the belt to loosen. > Greetings to all, > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Jamie If it happens suddenly and the belt is still in tact, one of two things can happen: 1 - Idler pulley spring breaks. Solution: Have idler and tensioner pulley replaced. 2 - Belt spun off a pulley, and is caused by either a damaged pulley or a stretched belt. Solution: Replace serpentine belt and inspect pulleys. Regardless of which above problem it is, take it to a shop. Changing the belt for this vehicle is not for the faint at heart. My GTP threw the belt when the water pump failed. I put the belt back on and tried to drive to the next off-ramp... but it threw the belt off again in about 10 seconds. >> Greetings to all, >> [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > Regardless of which above problem it is, take it to a shop. Changing the > belt for this vehicle is not for the faint at heart. > My GTP threw the belt when the water pump failed. I put the belt back > on and tried to drive to the next off-ramp... but it threw the belt off > again in about 10 seconds. Yes, I guess I neglected to specify that in the check pulley portion. I always turn the varying accessory pullies during inspection, and if there is a seised item, you will notice. I must have better luck than you. With my Grand Am, I (while stuck in snow) half spun a belt off (because it was a little too stretched and due for a change) while rocking it. The belt seperated and flipped over upside down, and lost half it's width in the process. I still made it to work and back (about 110 miles). >>> Greetings to all, >>> [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] >> Regardless of which above problem it is, take it to a shop. Changing the >> belt for this vehicle is not for the faint at heart. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Thanks for all of the responses! The car is still at the garage and have not heard back as of yet, but I have to believe that you guys are right on the money. Also, can the coolant gushing out be from the overheating and not nesc. a hole or leak in the radiator or overflow? I don't think there is even a way to fill the radiator directly, there is only a plastic overflow to the left under the hood. Thank you so much again! Jamie > Greetings to all, > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Jamie The loose belt drives your water pump which caused it to overheat. Can't explain the leak. |
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