Greetings to all,

I am a first time poster here. My wife has a 96 Grand Am, we have
had relatively few problems with it and it has been a great car for
us. Today was another story. While I was driving I stopped to make a
u turn, when I did the car stalled suddenly. I restarted it with no
problem, however the power steering was gone and there was a red
battery indicator on the dashboard that was on. Realizing there was a
problem I began driving to a spot where I could safely stop the car.
While I was driving, which was no more than half a mile and a few
minutes I noticed the temp gauge climbing dangerously high. I stopped,
turned the car off and got out to find there was coolant leaking from
where appeared to be the overflow. I also noticed that the belt that
passes through the alternator was seriously loose, as in I could
remove it was little effort if I needed to.

That is where we stand.

I know that it not alot of info, but any ideas?

Thank you to any and all who can reply.

Jamie

<jamalsbro@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1b785a43-d371-4dbc-a73f-dc38b138f4b8@h2g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> Greetings to all,
>
> I am a first time poster here. My wife has a 96 Grand Am, we have
> had relatively few problems with it and it has been a great car for
> us. Today was another story. While I was driving I stopped to make a
> u turn, when I did the car stalled suddenly. I restarted it with no
> problem, however the power steering was gone and there was a red
> battery indicator on the dashboard that was on. Realizing there was a
> problem I began driving to a spot where I could safely stop the car.
> While I was driving, which was no more than half a mile and a few
> minutes I noticed the temp gauge climbing dangerously high. I stopped,
> turned the car off and got out to find there was coolant leaking from
> where appeared to be the overflow. I also noticed that the belt that
> passes through the alternator was seriously loose, as in I could
> remove it was little effort if I needed to.
>
> That is where we stand.
>
> I know that it not alot of info, but any ideas?
>
> Thank you to any and all who can reply.

You need to replace that belt. Its connected to your alternator (which
charges your battery, hence, with the belt so loose, your battery was dying,
hence the light coming on). It is also connected to your power steeering
pump, as well as your water pump. That belt needs to be tight, and if it is
loose, it needs to be replaced.

jamalsbro@gmail.com wrote:
> Greetings to all,
>
> I am a first time poster here. My wife has a 96 Grand Am, we have
> had relatively few problems with it and it has been a great car for
> us. Today was another story. While I was driving I stopped to make a
> u turn, when I did the car stalled suddenly. I restarted it with no
> problem, however the power steering was gone and there was a red
> battery indicator on the dashboard that was on. Realizing there was a
> problem I began driving to a spot where I could safely stop the car.
> While I was driving, which was no more than half a mile and a few
> minutes I noticed the temp gauge climbing dangerously high. I stopped,
> turned the car off and got out to find there was coolant leaking from
> where appeared to be the overflow. I also noticed that the belt that
> passes through the alternator was seriously loose, as in I could
> remove it was little effort if I needed to.
>
> That is where we stand.
>
> I know that it not alot of info, but any ideas?
>
> Thank you to any and all who can reply.
>
> Jamie

Sounds like the belt or something broke.
Drive it without a belt long enough and the engine will over heat and melt down.

jamalsbro@gmail.com wrote:
> Greetings to all,
>
> I am a first time poster here. My wife has a 96 Grand Am, we have
> had relatively few problems with it and it has been a great car for
> us. Today was another story. While I was driving I stopped to make a
> u turn, when I did the car stalled suddenly. I restarted it with no
> problem, however the power steering was gone and there was a red
> battery indicator on the dashboard that was on. Realizing there was a
> problem I began driving to a spot where I could safely stop the car.
> While I was driving, which was no more than half a mile and a few
> minutes I noticed the temp gauge climbing dangerously high. I stopped,
> turned the car off and got out to find there was coolant leaking from
> where appeared to be the overflow. I also noticed that the belt that
> passes through the alternator was seriously loose, as in I could
> remove it was little effort if I needed to.
>
> That is where we stand.
>
> I know that it not alot of info, but any ideas?
>
> Thank you to any and all who can reply.
>
> Jamie
Find out what let loose and caused the belt to loosen.

<jamalsbro@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1b785a43-d371-4dbc-a73f-dc38b138f4b8@h2g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> Greetings to all,
>
> I am a first time poster here. My wife has a 96 Grand Am, we have
> had relatively few problems with it and it has been a great car for
> us. Today was another story. While I was driving I stopped to make a
> u turn, when I did the car stalled suddenly. I restarted it with no
> problem, however the power steering was gone and there was a red
> battery indicator on the dashboard that was on. Realizing there was a
> problem I began driving to a spot where I could safely stop the car.
> While I was driving, which was no more than half a mile and a few
> minutes I noticed the temp gauge climbing dangerously high. I stopped,
> turned the car off and got out to find there was coolant leaking from
> where appeared to be the overflow. I also noticed that the belt that
> passes through the alternator was seriously loose, as in I could
> remove it was little effort if I needed to.
>
> That is where we stand.
>
> I know that it not alot of info, but any ideas?
>
> Thank you to any and all who can reply.
>
> Jamie
If it happens suddenly and the belt is still in tact, one of two things can
happen:
1 - Idler pulley spring breaks. Solution: Have idler and tensioner pulley
replaced.
2 - Belt spun off a pulley, and is caused by either a damaged pulley or a
stretched belt. Solution: Replace serpentine belt and inspect pulleys.

Regardless of which above problem it is, take it to a shop. Changing the
belt for this vehicle is not for the faint at heart.

My GTP threw the belt when the water pump failed. I put the belt back
on and tried to drive to the next off-ramp... but it threw the belt off
again in about 10 seconds.


"Chevguy" <gro34wser@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9OmdnQx7-9kQwnTVnZ2dnUVZ_u2dnZ2d@posted.sasktel...
>
> <jamalsbro@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1b785a43-d371-4dbc-a73f-dc38b138f4b8@h2g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
>> Greetings to all,
>>
>> I am a first time poster here. My wife has a 96 Grand Am, we have
>> had relatively few problems with it and it has been a great car for
>> us. Today was another story. While I was driving I stopped to make a
>> u turn, when I did the car stalled suddenly. I restarted it with no
>> problem, however the power steering was gone and there was a red
>> battery indicator on the dashboard that was on. Realizing there was a
>> problem I began driving to a spot where I could safely stop the car.
>> While I was driving, which was no more than half a mile and a few
>> minutes I noticed the temp gauge climbing dangerously high. I stopped,
>> turned the car off and got out to find there was coolant leaking from
>> where appeared to be the overflow. I also noticed that the belt that
>> passes through the alternator was seriously loose, as in I could
>> remove it was little effort if I needed to.
>>
>> That is where we stand.
>>
>> I know that it not alot of info, but any ideas?
>>
>> Thank you to any and all who can reply.
>>
>> Jamie
> If it happens suddenly and the belt is still in tact, one of two things
> can happen:
> 1 - Idler pulley spring breaks. Solution: Have idler and tensioner pulley
> replaced.
> 2 - Belt spun off a pulley, and is caused by either a damaged pulley or a
> stretched belt. Solution: Replace serpentine belt and inspect pulleys.
>
> Regardless of which above problem it is, take it to a shop. Changing the
> belt for this vehicle is not for the faint at heart.
>

"David Courtney" <advance@powercom.net> wrote in message
news:jMqdnY-tuMLly3fVnZ2dnUVZ_oWdnZ2d@enscoop.com...
> My GTP threw the belt when the water pump failed. I put the belt back
> on and tried to drive to the next off-ramp... but it threw the belt off
> again in about 10 seconds.

Yes, I guess I neglected to specify that in the check pulley portion. I
always turn the varying accessory pullies during inspection, and if there is
a seised item, you will notice. I must have better luck than you. With my
Grand Am, I (while stuck in snow) half spun a belt off (because it was a
little too stretched and due for a change) while rocking it. The belt
seperated and flipped over upside down, and lost half it's width in the
process. I still made it to work and back (about 110 miles).

>
>
> "Chevguy" <gro34wser@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:9OmdnQx7-9kQwnTVnZ2dnUVZ_u2dnZ2d@posted.sasktel...
>>
>> <jamalsbro@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1b785a43-d371-4dbc-a73f-dc38b138f4b8@h2g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
>>> Greetings to all,
>>>
>>> I am a first time poster here. My wife has a 96 Grand Am, we have
>>> had relatively few problems with it and it has been a great car for
>>> us. Today was another story. While I was driving I stopped to make a
>>> u turn, when I did the car stalled suddenly. I restarted it with no
>>> problem, however the power steering was gone and there was a red
>>> battery indicator on the dashboard that was on. Realizing there was a
>>> problem I began driving to a spot where I could safely stop the car.
>>> While I was driving, which was no more than half a mile and a few
>>> minutes I noticed the temp gauge climbing dangerously high. I stopped,
>>> turned the car off and got out to find there was coolant leaking from
>>> where appeared to be the overflow. I also noticed that the belt that
>>> passes through the alternator was seriously loose, as in I could
>>> remove it was little effort if I needed to.
>>>
>>> That is where we stand.
>>>
>>> I know that it not alot of info, but any ideas?
>>>
>>> Thank you to any and all who can reply.
>>>
>>> Jamie
>> If it happens suddenly and the belt is still in tact, one of two things
>> can happen:
>> 1 - Idler pulley spring breaks. Solution: Have idler and tensioner pulley
>> replaced.
>> 2 - Belt spun off a pulley, and is caused by either a damaged pulley or a
>> stretched belt. Solution: Replace serpentine belt and inspect pulleys.
>>
>> Regardless of which above problem it is, take it to a shop. Changing the
>> belt for this vehicle is not for the faint at heart.
>>
>
>