How do you change the serpentine belt on a Dodge Caravan?

Answer 1

What you need is a ratchet 15mm socket. Losen the idler then slide off the serpentine belt off. There should be a diagram for routing the belt if not draw a diagram before removing it. Replace the serpentine belt crank it 2 or 3 times but don't start the engine. The 4th time start the engine this time the as the engine is idling eyeball the belt agaisnt the tensioner idler and crank pulley make sure the serpentine is algined.

A Note:

Make sure that you have identified the tensioner pulley as apposed to the idler pulley. With the 15mm socket on the tensioner pulley's bolt, rotate it clockwise and this will release the tension on the belt, or in the case of installing a new serpentine belt, allow you to get it where it belongs. This is the case on my 1997 Dodge Caravan, and probably other year makes. Best of luck- Bryan

1993 Dodge Grand Caravan: Rotating the tensioner pulley's bolt clockwise was the way to replace my belt. By the way, the tensioner pulley in my van was one of the smaller ones in the middle of the whole system, attached to a silver arm coming off the tensioner. Good luck...