What causes alternator belt to come off?

The most common reason is that the serpentine belt is just worn out and needs to be replaced. Another common cause is that the belt tensioner is froze / stuck and not functioning. The tensioner does exactly what it’s name says- keeps tension on the belt. Without tension the belt will come right off.

Can a bad pulley cause alternator problems?

Alternators are DRIVEN by the serpentine belt. All that happens when the belt disappears or pulleys seize is the alternator stops turning; there is NO possibility of damage to the alternator.

What happens when your tensioner pulley goes out?

If the drive belt tensioner pulley has any sort of issue it can cause unusual and accelerated wear on the belt. A bad pulley can cause fraying on the edges of the belt, and in severe cases can even cause it to break.

Can a broken pulley cause an alternator to break?

A broken pulley goes hand-in-hand with the broken belt. The pulleys and belts are part of the system which converts energy into the alternator. A pulley can break after a certain amount of use, sometimes through no fault of anyone’s, but just because of breakdown over time.

Why is my alternator making a lot of noise?

If your alternator makes a lot of noise, then the belt or pulley are usually the problem. The belt could also be misaligned with the pulley, which means they are not running smoothly and working together. If the noise continues after replacing the belt, then you need to replace the alternator.

How does the alternator work in a car?

Almost all cars with an internal combustion engine contain an alternator as well. When the engine in your car is running, the alternator’s job is to maintain a proper charge in the battery and supply electric power to the vehicle’s electrical systems. The alternator is connected to the engine and is controlled by a drive belt.

What does the serpentine belt on an air conditioner do?

Turns out there is a second belt – an accessory belt – that controls the A/C compressor. He got that replaced and also replaced the serpentine belt while he was at it. Problem fixed – no more squeek!

What happens when the crankshaft pulley goes bad?

But if the balancer starts to go bad for any reason, the vibrations won’t be absorbed anymore. This will cause the engine to shake profusely the faster you go. 2) Alternator Failure. The crankshaft pulley is responsible for powering the alternator. So naturally, if the crankshaft pulley goes bad, then you can expect the alternator to stop working.

What does it mean when your idler pulley rattles?

Average rating from 138 customers who received a Loud squealing or rattling is coming from engine Inspection. Idler pulleys are engine pulleys that are responsible for guiding and tensioning the engine drive belts.

Why does my alternator make a whine when I turn the wheel?

The whine seems to decrease a bit when the wheel is turned (while the wheel is stopped). I’ll try to the approach of taking off the belt and assessing the pulleys by hand. AC clutch…will look into that. Hopefully that’s cheaperthan replacing the entire compressor.

What are the signs of an auto tensioner pulley?

The auto tensioner pulley showed some signs of wear and tear e.g. black scruff marks. The belt seemed fine. I did not see any signs of wear and tear on the belt.