A video showing you not only how to replace the alternator and idler pulley but how to clean the grooves on the other pulleys in the event of catastrophic failure like this one. Feel free to leave your methods you use or comments below.
How To Replace An Alternator, Tensioner Pulley & Serpentine Belt On A 97 Dodge B 2500 / 1500 Van 3.9
How To Replace An Alternator, Tensioner Pulley & Serpentine Belt On A 97 Dodge B 2500 / 1500 Van 3.9
Had a crap ton of Issues with Remand Parts they either don't fit right or they don't last half the time of a Oem part good video Eric O @SouthMainAutoRepairLLC
Thank you for the videos Eric. Just a note…I use a couple of those cheap small Harbor Freight spring clamps to hold the belt on other pulleys while I am messing with the tensioner and the last pulley.
I cant budge the tensioner. I see you move it with ease, but i can't even budge it with a ratchet and a wrench to extend my leverage.
On the top of the alt.what is the lil black box
Hi is the b1500 3.9l v6 van the same motor in the 2500
Great Video, thank you! What air tool/compressor set up are you using? 2001 Dodge Ram Van 2500
Great video. Looking at an 87 Dodge Ram fixer-upper and want to know what I'd be getting myself into. Thank you.
I had a new belt put on my 97 2500. A year later the alternator went out. New alternator put on and the shop said the pulley on the AC compressor needed replaced. Ever since then, the belt will not stop squealing. Took it back and they said we can put a new belt on for you. I told them the problem came after you did the alternator/pulley. SIGH. I'm just gonna do it myself. Not as easy as my grand marquis but I have lots of free time now.
A really good hack for putting the belt back on is to do the smooth pulley last. It slips on easily requiring less muscle required.
Thank you for making this video! I’ve been working on a 97 Dodge van that has the same issue. I’m having much more trouble with the belt than you did. Haha. I’m taking another crack at it tomorrow.
Did you say Dr. O? 😁
Had the same issue on an airplane. Fired up the #2 and it wouldn’t charge. Went through the reset checklist etc and nothing. Mechanic pulled the cowl and the alternator had seIzed and the belt had caked itself all over the ring gear pulley.
Always a pleasure to watch a good man working
I did love working on Van's especially when it was raining out
Sweet a roasted alternator and the belt had a royal meltdown and theirs cleaning to be done
Yo Eric this was the very first SMA video I ever watched and I was hooked! Wow time flys
Good video. Good detailed illustration and explanation, it's just not the exact video I needed. I was looking for replacement alternator on a 2014 RAM Promaster 2500 with A/C. Thanks
I was going to ask if the tensioner slide and locks were in good shape then I see it was a spring type
Did you check the bolt slack slide on the underside the alternator
Used to do it kinda the same way heavy pick and run it and then wire brush and all the smooth pulleys with scotch brite medium and a little brakekleen heavy pick to clear the other grooved pulleys
New sub. Great stuff! You've helped me a few times. Bought a 2003 Ram van 1500, 5.2 conversion. 68,000. Got a good deal, so I thought. Lol. He must have cleared the codes before we met up. Had to install a new ignition coil, alternator, tensioning pulley and belt. Now I'm on to a front axle bearings. Running great after the coil.
Excellent "demo!" Thanks MUCH. mg
This was one of the most clear and informative videos i have ever watched thank you.
Awesome video! Thanks for sharing!
Enhance!
The 17 thumbs down are from shops that'll lose customers as a result of this video, no doubt!!
Thank you for being so thorough! I'm trying to prepare myself to work on a 91' Dodge van and needed to be reminded about all the little things you do after the alternator has been installed!!
Would a 2000 ram 3500 maxi van be pretty similar in steps? Belt routing might differ obviously. Never touched this van before. Bought it end of summer to turn into a camper. Belt started flailing this morning.
I recently changed the alternator, belt, tensioner, and idler pulley on my 93 Chevy G20 van. Low mileage but it was the years. Got my parts through Rock Auto. New Remy alternator and Gates belt, tensioner, and Idler pulley.
if you remove the AC compressor and idler pulley you can use a 900k7 belt
I've used reman stuff it seems ok just depends on what the part is for
I've replaced my alternator and water pump radiator and hoses thermostat and pipes plus shocks fan fan clutch brakes rotors bearings and other stuff on it I live in my van and I can't afford to pay for labor so I watch videos like this to learn how to fix my van when need be
how does a 97 Dodge ram van have 6 cylinder mines a 96 Dodge ram b2500 and has a 318 5.2 l v8
When those belts go bad and the heat is applied to the pulleys that causes lose of lubricant inside of the pulley i.e. the lubricant boils out according to the manufacturer of the pulley system. They would recommend putting lubricant back into the pulley or could stop turning and cause the loss of other pulleys are even damage the engine.
Great video. For cleaning out those groves, i usually spin the free pulleys with my air ratchet on the pulley nut while having a wire brush against it.
Wonderful job filming and explaining the task. I love your videos!
Thanks for sharing sir.I have an 02 Dodge Ram van 2500. What alternator manufacture do you recommend?
But can she do it?
Those surp belts with a clutch fan/water pump mounted…Does the belt go over the fan blades and then onto the pulley's. I didn't see that in the video.
good video
well explained thanks
My man you are real mechanic I wish that I live close to you if you do all my work on my car
Good job! Like that pick around the pulley for cleaning. Especially the crank with the engine running!
Great Video!
I hope you and Mrs. O and the family have a Wonderful, Happy, Merry Christmas!
Those tensioners fail in odd ways too. I've had a few that initially seemed okay but when you took the belt off and ran them thru their stroke you could feel they weren't working smoothly right in the range where they'd be with the belt on. Probably could lube them and work them enough to get back right but in my case it was easier to replace and be done with it.
Nice old school SMA vidjayo! Who’s watching in 2018??
Ok you asked, put an air ratchet with deep socket on center nut so it spins. Easier… : )
Same engine in my van. Except mine won't run/ POS
Thanks for the video.
Almost as much as me
No way my tensioner move that easily. It takes two full arms with me standing high above it. I did it alone 7 years ago without much trouble.