Monthly Archives: March 2022

What Are the Symptoms of a Failing Serpentine Belt?

What Are the Symptoms of a Failing Serpentine Belt?

The serpentine belt, also known as the belt that wraps around the alternator, is a belt that helps run various vehicle accessories. The serpentine belt can be a v-belt or flat ribbed. Sometimes, it can solely work in conjunction with the alternator. Other times, it can be responsible for powering the power steering pump, water pump, A/C compressor, and more. Since the serpentine belt is made of rubber, it will inherently go through wear and tear over multiple years of usage. A worn serpentine belt is definitely a concern. In the case that it fails, the alternator won't be able to supply power to other parts of your car, meaning you may experience electrical malfunctions and even a dead battery.  You may notice one or more of the following signs when your serpentine belt is aging: Dim interior or exterior lighting Battery warning light has turned on dashboard Your engine stalls  You hear a flapping or clicking noise of a damaged belt under the hood ... read more