5 replies to this topic

[Kelly_]

Hi there,
So, i'm having a little problem with my '96 Equinox. My car wont start without a jump or a push.. I'm trying to eliminate whether it's the battery or the alternator. The only time it started was once I had charged the battery. However, for about 3 weeks prior to this happening my fan belt has been squealing like mad, of course this was annoying but having done nothing to it and it now stopping, it's slightly unassuring. Does this mean my alternator is not charging? Another thing I should probably add is due to the recent rain and wind I had no choice but to drive through a rather larger puddle than I should have.. this is when the problems started. :|
Anyway any advice would be a great help. Thanks!

[grumpy dad]

that will teach you not to listen to what the car is telling you

 

so what to do  belt has been squealing like mad because it was slipping

and when you drove through a rather larger puddle

it acted as a lubricant  

it has now stretched or worn out

and  it probable is now just driving the alternator

so the first thing to do is change the belt

when you have done that check if you have 

about 14 volts at the battery 

if you have it is charging 

and all should be good 

if the battery go flat after that 

the battery is knackered 

[dklawson]

As above however, start by simply tightening the belt you have now before fitting a replacement.  You want to be able and deflect the belt about 1/2" at mid-span along the longest run of the belt.

 

The 14V battery measurement mentioned above will be with the engine running.  First make a measurement of the battery voltage with the engine "off".  With the engine running, repeat your voltage measurement at the battery.  If the system is charging you should see a 1 to 2 Volt increase in system voltage from when the engine was not running.

[Badboytunes]

Is the belt still on the engine? Does the charge light go out or the car get hot?

[grumpy dad]

You must replace the belt

its been slipping for to long 

it will have stretched and is problley thin 

and sitting in the bottom of the pulley

so no matter how tight you get it 

you will have problems

again in a week or two

[Kelly_]

Thanks for the replies!
So more than likely it's my belt? It's tight now, wasn't at first although after tightening it it still made that awful sound. So it's knackered basically? And yes the belt is still on the engine and the light does not show nor get hot. Thanks guys, so i'll replace the belt after work and then check the volts. Hopefully this will solve my problems! :)