Serpentine belt on 96 Pontiac Grand Am SE?

Question

I had my car towed to the mechanic yesterday (thank god for AAA) with the following problem:

power steering not working, battery light on, warm engine (not overheating but VERY close to the red zone)

The shop boy who gave me a ride home said this sounds like a broken serpentine belt, but he said he was pretty sure that belt doesn't control the water pump in a '96 Grand Am SE so he thought the warm engine *might* be a different problem.

Does anyone know whether or not this is true? If it's just the belt, then my repair should be affordable -- but if there's ANOTHER issue...I don't know.

I'm about 90% sure the car has a V6. Also, there was a loud screeching immediately before the power steering went out and the battery light came on.

Answer 1

Well first find out if its a V6 or V4...w your pontiac being an SE, I am sure its a V6, my bonneville was an SE V6, now on the V6, you probaly have ONE belt for everything...your battery light came on becuase your belt came off the alternator...so that made the battery bug out...you almost overheated because of the water pump not pumping becuase of the broken belt...just check your manual to see if you have a V6 or not...Hope this works for you

Answer 2

Sounds like the belt, I know the 3L series from GM very well, Everything listed could be caused by a broken belt. I would have to take a look for sure, but jsut with the information provided I'm sure its the belt. I believe that to change the belt on that car the front motor mount (on the passenger side wheel well) has to be removed, its some what labor inteisive for a belt. I think Mitchel1 prices it at 0.7Hours labour for that, IF I'M THINKING OF THE RIGHT YEAR.

Answer 3

If it is a 4 cylinder,the power steering and water pump are NOT run by the serpentine belt.
If it is a V6,the power steering and water pump ARE run by the serpentine belt.
Hope this helps.