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From:Richmond, Texas USA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 12-16-2000 10:28 PM                  

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I have a vibrating/rattling noise coming from the front of the engine between 1250 and 1500 RPM. One of our members said he also has it and talked to one of the DC techs when he was at CAAP this year. The Tech told him that it was a design flaw in the belt system and that he should have the belts tightened. He also said that it was redesigned in the 2000 model.

Has anyone had this vibrating rattle, louder when cold and less when it warms up. If so, what fixed it for you... Any help appreciated because it is embarassing when at a light.

Thank in advance.

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Fred J. Henkel
Texas State Director, PPC

From:Colton, CA
Registered: Jul 2000
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From:Hester, LA. USA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 12-17-2000 07:46 PM                  

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The redesign was replacing the pulley on alternator with a clutch pulley to take up slack in belt over time. The earlier models the alternator belt had to be adjusted by hand. As the belt wares & get loose it makes noise...

I think this was a change made spring of 1999 on the production line.

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From:Richmond, Texas USA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 12-18-2000 07:04 AM                  

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Larry & Laddie, Thanks for the info on this. I had the dealer tighten the belts but now I noticed that when cold it is much louder since. They want to see some sort of Tech bulletin on this and they can't find one so they won't replace anything without it. Sounds like that tensioner is whats needed.. Again thanks for the feedback..

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Fred J. Henkel
Texas State Director, PPC

From:Colton, CA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 12-23-2000 02:12 AM                  

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After reading several posts concerning the issue of the belt rattle problem when the car is cold. Let me try to clear up the issue. (prwlyn Fred Henkel posts)

The LH engineers did not find the cause of the rattle, a Prowler engineer was the one who found the problem. Although the LH cars use the same engine, the problem was not as noticable due to the front engine/transmission configuration(different mass on the engine, engine/trans mounts, etc) and sound insulation. The problem occurs when the belt tension decays, the belt starts to rattle when the engine (and also the belt) are cold and stops when warmed up. The initial fix was to retension the belt or install a new belt. There is no TSB or other paperwork for the 1999's.

Note: There are two settings for the belt tension, one for installing a new belt and another to be used for resetting a used belt. Also a special tool is required to set the tension properly.

Several permanent fixes were tried and the decoupler (one-way clutch) pulley on the alternator was chosen. The decoupler pulley was put in production at the start of the 2000 model year and uses the same base alternator and mounting as the 1999's. The decoupler pulley is not a servicable part by itself and therefore a new alternator assembly (2000 & 2001) must be ordered to get the decoupler pulley for a 1999 car.

I hope this helps to clear up any confusion.

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Larry (Cruise Control) Lord
Larry@FMBbox.com

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