power steering gone, belt from alternator barely turns, need help!

[GriffZero]

Wow, I swear, get one thing fixed, another thing breaks!

So, I start my car this morning and let it warm up, everything is fine. Pull out of my parking space, drive up the parking lot to the exit. Stop for a second, and just when I go to pull the car forward the power steering is GONE! The radiator light, battery light, and brake light all light up. The car is still running fine it seems. I turn the wheel (which is now quite difficult) and pull into a parking space. I cut the engine, pop the hood and take a look, all the belts are on, seems ok. Start the car again and take a look. The belt that runs from the alternator back (to the power steering pump?) isn't moving. I push the belt with my hand and it slowly starts to move. As it moves I hear what sounds like a rubbing sound. Everything else seems to be running fine.

What the heck is going on here? The alternator is brand new, maybe a week old! The belts are all brand new! My mechanic installed them all and the car was running fine for the past week. I just got the car back from having the clutch installed, new springs put in, and a new exhaust. What could be going on? Is the alternator dying or could the belt be off track? I wasn't able to take a really good look cause I was late for work.

 

[Livid]

Is the alternator belt tentioned correctly? Check that the belt is on track and that the alternator is spinning.

 

[GriffZero]

I helped my mechanic put the belt on and we tentioned it correctly then, although that was a week ago. I'll have to check it when I get home, I'm at work now. If the belt is loose could it make a rubbing sound and turn slowly?

 

[theSicKness]

well the alternator belt goes around the water pump and crank pulley...id say either your water pump is bad (locking up) or your alternator is locking up....id check to see if the belt is around the crank in the right position....becuase the power steering pump also goes around the water pump and crank... make sure the belts are straight and are in the proper place....

hope it helps
Jesse

 

[GriffZero]

Ok, I fixed it! What had happend is the tensioner bolt that sits in the "U" shaped bracket on the alternator had popped out and the belt went slack. I put the bolt back in the "U" bracket and tightened the bolt. Then with the help of another person I tightened the bolt on the side of the alternator where the tensioner bolt slides through (it was loose for some reason). After that I used some pliers to squeeze the top of the "U" bracket together so the tensioner bolt won't pop out as easily.

I think it popped out because it just wasn't originally tightened enough when my mechanic and I put the alternator in. Oh well, at least it was nothing major. Car runs great now. Phew!

Thanks for everyones help!