GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Aids

Excessive wear on a drive belt is usually caused by an incorrect installation or the wrong drive belt for the application.

Minor misalignment of the drive belt pulleys will not cause excessive wear, but will probably cause the drive belt to make a noise or to fall off.

Excessive misalignment of the drive belt pulleys will cause excessive wear and may also make the drive belt fall off.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. The inspection is to verify the drive belt is correctly installed on all of the drive belt pulleys. Wear on the drive belt may be caused by mis-positioning the drive belt by one groove on a pulley.

  2. The installation of a drive belt that is too wide or too narrow will cause wear on the drive belt. The drive belt ribs should match all of the grooves on all of the pulleys.

  3. This inspection is to verify the drive belt is not contacting any parts of the engine or body while the engine is operating. There should be sufficient clearance when the drive belt accessory drive components load varies. The drive belt should not come in contact with an engine or a body component when snapping the throttle.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Notice: Refer to Belt Dressing Notice in the Preface section.

DEFINITION: Wear at the outside ribs of the drive belt due to an incorrectly installed drive belt.

1

Did you review the Symptoms - Engine Mechanical diagnostic information, and perform the necessary inspections?

Go to Step 2

Go to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical

2

Inspect the drive belt for the proper installation. Refer to Water Pump and Generator Belt Replacement or Air Conditioning Compressor and Power Steering Pump Belt Replacement .

Did you find this condition?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 3

3

Inspect for the proper drive belt.

Did you find this condition?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4

Inspect for the drive belt rubbing against a bracket, hose, or wiring harness.

Did you find and repair the condition?

Go to Step 6

Go to Diagnostic Aids

5

Replace the drive belt. Refer to Water Pump and Generator Belt Replacement or Air Conditioning Compressor and Power Steering Pump Belt Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 6

--

6

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

--