Replace alternator
The alternator belt on the 1999 Dodge Caravan also controls the air conditioner compressor, the water pump and the power steering pump. The belt is called a serpentine belt, and it is designed to fit around all of the accessory pulleys at the same time. As the belt travels around each accessory pulley, it enables the accessory to operate. Once the belt is damaged, cracked or frayed, you should change it before it breaks. If that happens, each of the accessories will stop working.
Open the hood and prop it up so that it does not fall. Engage the parking brake.
Inspect the top surface of the fan shroud for the serpentine belt routing diagram. Follow the routing instructions on the diagram to install the new belt.
Locate the serpentine belt self-adjusting tensioner on the front of the engine. The tensioner is directly below the alternator. Use the bolt that connects the tensioner pulley to the tensioner arm to rotate the tensioner.
Turn the tensioner device counterclockwise to move the tensioner. This will relieve the tension from the belt. Once the belt has enough slack in it, slide the belt out from under the tensioner pulley.
Lift the belt off each accessory pulley. Slide the belt around the fan blades and out of the engine area.
Lay the old belt next to the new belt to ensure that the new belt is the correct width and length. Slide the belt around the fan blades and around the crankshaft pulley on the bottom of the engine.
Follow the belt routing diagram to position the belt around the air conditioner compressor pulley, the power steering pump pulley, the water pump pulley and the idler pulley. Once the belt is routed inside each accessory pulley, inspect the belt to make sure that it is securely inside the pulleys.
Crank the 1999 Dodge Caravan for 10 to 15 seconds to completely seat the belt ribs in the grooves on each accessory pulley. Shut the engine off and close the hood.
If the belt routing diagram for the 1999 Dodge Caravan is missing, use a pen and a notepad to draw the exact routing of the old belt and use it when installing the new belt.
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