Alternator Problem??

[Stradbrother]

Hey everyone!

I just have a question here. Last night I was driving my 5 speed festiva to the grocery store, and at a light, the engine seemed to be knocking a little bit. I didn't have anything on other than headlights that may have made it lose some power. So, I give it a little gas and the engine seems to go back to normal! But the battery charge light comes on. I get to where I'm going, and everything seems to be fine other than the temperature is oddly a little high and the battery charge light is on.

Anyone have any idea what this might be??? I'm pretty confused!

[Dragonhealer]

Welcome to the Forum!
Check for loose battery connection, wiring at the alternator, fusible links. All good? Have battery tested, have alternator tested.

[Rick the Quick]

Check your alternator belt. It also turns the water pump. A loose belt would explain the alternator light on and also the high temperature showing on the gauge.

[zoe60]

If the temperature gets too high as well as the alternator light being on it could be the belt. Oops1! Rick the Quick beat me to it!

[Stradbrother]

Hey everyone!

I checked the engine this morning and the belt actually came off!

Under the hood was a bunch of rubber in chunks and the belt was dangling on the bottom pulley.

I'm about to get out to AutoZone today and get a new belt. I moved some of the idlers and they seemed to move fine, like they aren't frozen or anything. I think it was just an old worn belt. (The belt says "made in Korea", could this have been the original belt?!)

Either way, these festivas seem so simple to work on, I'm going to try to save a hundred or two and fix the belt myself.

We'll see what happens!

[WmWatt]

I carry a spare belt under the driver's seat.

[Stradbrother]

I carry a spare belt under the driver's seat.

These are fairly simple to replace as far as belts go right?

I had a corvette belt I tried to replace once and it was hell. Lol

[Rick the Quick]

Don't buy the cheap one.....buy the best one you can afford. I like Gates. You may pay a little more but they will give better service and for me, peace of mind. Worth paying another $10 in my book.
:tm:

[Stradbrother]

Does anyone have a link to a good belt diagram for the 91 festivas?

I can't for the life of me find a tension idler

[joeboomer999]

Alt. Belt doesn't have one. Have to loosen the alt. To adjust

[WmWatt]

Loosen the top bolt in the slot then loosen the bottom bolt. Put belt into three pulleys, pull tight, tighten top bolt. Check that belt deflects 3/8" when you push down in the middle. I lay a straight edge across the top of the two pulleys and press down in the middle with a ruler. When okay tighten bottom bolt. If belt chirps it's slipping and can be tightened a bit more. Don't tighten toomuch as it puts a strain on the bearings and wears them out. Good Luck.

[Stradbrother]

Fixed it!!!

Thank you all for the help! That was difficult. Had to take off the alternator and really work some of the stubborn bolts but it all worked out!

[Studebaker]

You need to look at all your hoses. If they look old replace.

If your hoses look old. You may want to replace your timing belt.