The serpentine belt in my 88 305 tbi camaro isn't moving. I turn the ignition and it makes a loud noise by the alternator and the serpentine belt only moves about 1/2 of an inch. If I hold the key to try and turn on the car the serpentine belt moves about halfway but car still doesn't start. Anyone have an idea what could be wrong? I believe that the alternator has gone bad or that the serpentine belt has to much tension, but don't want to try anything without getting other opinions. Thanks!

 

So does the car not turn over at all? What kind of noise (is it a belt squeal?)

 

No it doesn't turn on at all. The noise seems to be coming from the alternator and it a cranking sound like if it was trying to move, but couldn't since its stuck or something.

 

Ok, can you move it by hand at all?

Try loosening the belt tension little by little and see if that helps.

 

If i get some pliers and attempt to move the spinning things on the alternator I am able to move it. I have to use some force to move it. I can't move it with my hands its to hard.


The problem started with me leaving a towel by the serpentine belt and it got caught a little and thereafter the car started doing this. That's why I believe there is too much tension or the alternator could have gotten messed up.

 

Ohhhhhhhhh sounds like some thread or something might have gotten wound up inside the pulley on your alternator or something. In that case i'd take the belt all the way off and see if you can get the pieces of towel out. That will probably fix your problem.

 

The towel came out intact with no parts ripped. It was a big thick towel and only a corner got stuck. I will attempt to try and release the tension and if that don't help I'll take the serpentine belt off and see if anything is stuck, but you can't see anything stuck in the belt.

 

The only wAy it could be the actual belt would be if when the towel was caught it folded the belt in the small gap at the balancer pulley. Otherwise, it has to be a seized pulley. Since you have serp belt, it's very easy to rake off the belt and spin the pulleys.

 

Remove the belt & see what's locked up.