Noise Diagnosis
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 RAM Pickup and 2011 RAM Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
| 1 - NORMAL CRACKS BELT OK |
| 2 - NOT NORMAL CRACKS REPLACE BELT |
Noises generated by the accessory drive belt are most noticeable at idle. Before replacing a belt to resolve a noise condition, inspect all of the accessory drive pulleys for alignment, glazing, or excessive end play.
ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT DIAGNOSIS CHART
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| RIB CHUNKING (One or more ribs has separated from belt body) | 1. Foreign objects imbedded in pulley grooves. | 1. Remove foreign objects from pulley grooves. Replace belt. |
| 2. Installation damage. | 2. Replace belt. | |
| RIB OR BELT WEAR | 1. Pulley misaligned. | 1. Align pulley(s). |
| 2. Abrasive environment. | 2. Clean pulley(s). Replace belt if necessary. | |
| 3. Rusted pulley(s). | 3. Clean rust from pulley(s). | |
| 4. Sharp or jagged pulley groove tips. | 4. Replace pulley. Inspect belt. | |
| 5. Belt rubber deteriorated. | 5. Replace belt. | |
| BELT SLIPS | 1. Belt slipping because of insufficient tension. | 1. Inspect/Replace tensioner if necessary. |
| 2. Belt or pulley exposed to substance that has reduced friction (belt dressing, oil, ethylene glycol). | 2. Replace belt and clean pulleys. | |
| 3. Driven component bearing failure (seizure). | 3. Replace faulty component or bearing. | |
| 4. Belt glazed or hardened from heat and excessive slippage. | 4. Replace belt. | |
| LONGITUDAL BELT CRACKING | 1. Belt has mistracked from pulley groove. | 1. Replace belt. |
| 2. Pulley groove tip has worn away rubber to tensile member. | 2. Replace belt. | |
| "GROOVE JUMPING" (Belt does not maintain correct position on pulley) |
1. Incorrect belt tension. | 1. Inspect/Replace tensioner if necessary. |
| 2. Pulley(s) not within design tolerance. | 2. Replace pulley(s). | |
| 3. Foreign object(s) in grooves. | 3. Remove foreign objects from grooves. | |
| 4. Pulley misalignment. | 4. Align component. | |
| 5. Belt cordline is broken. | 5. Replace belt. | |
| BELT BROKEN (Note: Identify and correct problem before new belt is installed) |
1. Incorrect belt tension. | 1. Replace Inspect/Replace tensioner if necessary. |
| 2. Tensile member damaged during belt installation. | 2. Replace belt. | |
| 3. Severe misalignment. | 3. Align pulley(s). | |
| 4. Bracket, pulley, or bearing failure. | 4. Replace defective component and belt. | |
| NOISE (Objectionable squeal, squeak, or rumble is heard or felt while drive belt is in operation) |
1. Incorrect belt tension. | 1. Inspect/Replace tensioner if necessary. |
| 2. Bearing noise. | 2. Locate and repair. | |
| 3. Belt misalignment. | 3. Align belt/pulley(s). | |
| 4. Belt to pulley mismatch. | 4. Install correct belt. | |
| 5. Driven component induced vibration. | 5. Locate defective driven component and repair. | |
| TENSION SHEETING FABRIC FAILURE (Woven fabric on outside, circumference of belt has cracked or separated from body of belt) |
1. Tension sheeting contacting stationary object. | 1. Correct rubbing condition. |
| 2. Excessive heat causing woven fabric to age. | 2. Replace belt | |
| 3. Tension sheeting splice has fractured. | 3. Replace belt. | |
| CORD EDGE FAILURE (Tensile member exposed at edges of belt or separated from belt body) |
1. Incorrect belt tension. | 1. Inspect/Replace tensioner if necessary. |
| 2. Belt contacting stationary object. | 2. Replace belt. | |
| 3. Pulley(s) out of tolerance. | 3. Replace pulley. | |
| 4. Insufficient adhesion between tensile member and rubber matrix. | 4. Replace belt. |