9th Jul 2007, 17:32

I found this site today after my belt tensioner on my 2000 Dodge Caravan broke off in a parking lot of a Dunkin Donuts. I was just backing out when I heard a popping noise, and the power steering went. I thought I had run something over, and parked and went to look under the car, but nothing was there. I tried to back up again to leave, but still couldn't steer, so had to have the car towed to the mechanics.

The mechanic said that when he heard the make/model of my vehicle he automatically knew what had happened and ordered the part for me before we even got to the shop. After reading all these comments, I'm scared to death to even drive the thing anymore. I hope it's the Gates kit he is installing, since it seems that the belt slipping problem, which I have not experienced so far, occurs after the first time you change the belt or fix a tensioner...

9th Aug 2007, 18:19

I have a 99 DODGE. The belt came off twice, both times it rained heavily. On the second time the dealers installed a bracket. That was over three years ago and over 45000 miles.

20th Aug 2007, 02:32

I own a 2000 Town and Country with 92K miles and have had the belt slip off twice in the past six months; yesterday was the last time. Today I will call my mechanic and have him install the Gates kit mentioned in this thread, thanks to all who supplied this valuable info. I will post further as to my costs and hopeful success in dealing with this problem.

25th Aug 2007, 19:31

Thanks to all the comments, today I bought the kit 38379k to install in my 1998 Caravan 3.3 engine.

Now, the shouldered bolt does not cover half of the bearing inner race, so I expect a future failure; if somebody had the same the problem, please let us know (according to the seller all the kits are the same) Maybe is a kit for a 3.0 engine, but the number is the one advised.

(In my opinion needs a 1/2" spacer to protect the bearing).

Thanks

Salomon.

26th Aug 2007, 17:43

I have endured weeks of leaving work to replace the belt on our 1999 Caravan, while my wife and daughters sit in what is now a very rainy San Antonio in sometimes dangerous conditions for me to rescue them.

I finally went to our local auto parts store, and they informed me of a kit available to help my problem. Unfortunately they had just sold the last one to someone else experiencing the same problem today. If I had not asked the parts guy at the store why he was laughing at my request, I fear he would have sold me the stock tensioner I asked for initially. After he informed me that this is a very common problem with this vehicle, he told me he had just sold the last one and to come back Tuesday. Thanks for all your postings. They helped me to believe what the parts guy had told me.

6th Oct 2007, 17:36

Although it won't help me now I want to thank everyone for their comments. I bought a 1996 2.4L Grand Caravan for my Grandsons first car. Now I don't know if I want him to drive it. I have just replaced the alternator and belt, but I had not read your comments before I did it so I didn't ask about a fix. I may have to trade this before I let him drive. I don't think he would know how to react if the power steering went out abruptly. I also bought my daughter a 2000 Town & Country a couple if years ago so I guess I can look forward to more problems. The only consolation I have is that I have been looking at the new TV commercials for the Chrysler Town & Country and was very impressed. Obviously there is no chance I would ever buy another Chrysler product. The odd thing is that we know the Executives for these companies are sitting up in their big boardrooms wondering why the Orientals are eating their lunch...

8th Oct 2007, 23:22

Follow-up on the entry made 28th Jan 2007, 23:45.

Has been 9 months with the gates fix, and no problems. The van has 98k miles on it now, and feel safe enough with the gates fix that my daughter has the van away at school. We did purchase a new van last week. You got it.. a new 2008 Toyota sienna. Too bad, this ends a 20 year era for us of buying new Chrysler products. Although UAW still builds them, the profits now go off shore and nobody really wins in this situation.

10th Oct 2007, 00:17

1) Inherent design problem with serpentine belt tensioner placement - the tensioner is on the pulling side (between the crank and PS and alternator pulleys), rather than the slack (or return side back to the crank pulley). Increased belt load from PS pump and/or alternator will cause the tensioner to "slack" rather than tighten.

2) check power steering pump pulley shaft seal for leaks. Leaking PS fluid will get on the serpentine belt and make it "slick".

10th Oct 2007, 20:13

My serpentine belt just came off my 96 caravan. Can someone explain to me how to release the tensioner to get the belt back over all of the pulleys? I have the belt placed the right way, just need the next steps. Sounds like some of you have gotten pretty good at this, please help.

15th Oct 2007, 09:29

I have had my 98 caravan since it was new, and I was shocked when my power steering suddenly went out on a rainy day a month ago. I was told by the shop that my power steering belt had slipped off. It was a common problem that happened a lot. He put the belt back on and I was on my way in less than an hour. Two hours later I was calling to complain it happened again. "Just don't drive in the rain" was his advise after the second fix. I was furious. I had to pick my kids up from school, rain or shine. He then told me to avoid puddles. WHAT?? Five years earlier my kids and I were caught in a flash flood which covered the road that van got us right through it. The water was so high I was sure the engine would die, but it was fine. SO IF IT IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM, Then why did it take 9 years to show up with a puddle and not the river? Today was the first real rain since that day, of course right when I was taking my kids to school it happened again!! I was surrounded by kids and trying to get out of the circle drive was terrifying. I am not the strongest woman I know, but somehow I did it. Now that I am home safe I am furious, And glad to here there is a fix for this problem. My kids and I love this van It has always gotten us safely home, I hate to trade it if I don't have to.