Quote:
Originally Posted by lordvader44
Update. It was a snapped drive or serpentine belt. Much better than a broken alternator. I have been reading up on how to replace them and I have to make sure the tensioner is not broken as well. Also the guy at the auto parts store said make sure you have a fully charged battery before starting the car with the new belt. Most of the work will have to be done under the right wheel as you cant get at it from the top.
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If that is all it is, you are VERY lucky. Most of the time a snapped belt will stop all of the accessories on the motor from turning, including the water pump. Then you overheat the motor, causing it to blow, resulting in a VERY expensive repair (motor replacement) and most likely, on an 11 yr old car, a new replacement car.
Let this be a lesson, that if any of the dash lights come on, you should not drive it until you find out what the problem is. I still can't see how it made it 70 miles home unless the alternator was going out, and it siezed up just a few miles from home, causing the belt to snap. Have you made sure the alternator will still turn? I've had one sieze up on me before and it blew the belt right off. That is the most likely scenario I forsee, unless like you said, the tensioner is bad. A bad tensioner could let the belt slip and not turn the alternator enough to charge the battery properly. And it could have finally slipped off close to home. Again, if that is all it is, you were VERY lucky!
Good luck on it!
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