Engine Belts And Pulleys problems of the 1998 Chrysler Town & Country

Serpentine belt slipped off when driving in rainy conditions with child in vehicle. Causing loss of power steering and engine to overheat. Was stranded and had to call family to be picked up. Had to have car towed and pay out of pocket expense to have serpentine belt put back on.

The contact owns a 1998 Chrysler town and country. While driving in rainy weather conditions approximately 40 mph, there was a loss of power steering without warning and the illumination of the battery warning indicator. The contact drove to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. Upon inspecting the vehicle she noticed the serpentine belt detached which was reconnected. The vehicle resumed normally and was taken to an independent mechanic where the serpentine belt, tensioner pulley and idler pulley were replaced. The alternator and water pump were replaced at different times because the technician assumed the components contributed to the malfunction; however the problem continued after the repairs. The faulty serpentine belt caused the failure and would occur whenever driving in the rain. The serpentine belt had been replaced four different times. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

The contacts owns a 1998 Chrysler town and country. The contact stated that she has replaced the serpentine belt three times. She further stated that the idler pulley was defective and had to be replaced with a kit. When the pulley malfunctions, it allows the serpentine belt to detach. As a result, the power steering fails and all the other components overheat. While driving at various speeds, the contact cannot pull off the road. The vehicle may explode or catch fire. The failure was initially noticed while driving 35 mph in the rain. The vehicle was towed to her mechanic for repair. There were no warning indicators prior to the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

I have a 1998 Chrysler Town & Country van. The fan belt slipped off during a rain storm, stranding me and my two small children. I was told by the auto mechanic that it is a common problem with the Chrysler Town & Country models 1996-2000. I had to buy a "gates" fan belt kit to fix the problem. Two years later and six kits later the fan belt is still giving me problems. Chrysler should fix this known defect.

Serpentine belt/pulley defective belt is guaranteed to slip off van) during wet weather conditions, resulting in a loss of power steering. Belt and pulley have both been replaced ,but still could nnot drive in rain due to belt coming off. This problem will cause you loss of steering, possible engine overheating and leaves you and your passengers stranded on the road. I wouldn't attemp to drive in snow or sleet, especially with loss of power sterring.

While driving in wet conditions the serpentine belt fell off, causing an inability to steer. Vehicle was towed , and belt was replaced again, the 4th time this year!. Vehicle is a 1998 Chrysler Town & Country with a 3. 8l engine.

Serpentine belt throws in even slightly wet weather, often at hazardous places and conditions. Belts and pulleys have been replaced repeatedly. Power steering and water pump, among other systems fail instantly. My wife drives the car and can no longer drive it in wet weather. Been fighting this problem for years.

1998 Chrysler town and country transmission failed while driving on the highway. There was no warning prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to the service dealer who indicated that the vehicle needed a new transmission. The consumer contacted the manufacturer for financial assistance but since the vehicle was out of warranty they refused any assistance. The belt and tensioner were replaced because they were noisy. The handbrake did not hold. The dealer replaced the lever and cable assembly. The front struts were replaced. The sway bar link was replaced because it was noisy. The rear hatch lock was inoperative.

When going through average size puddle, serpentine belt came off. This disables all steering control and alternator/coolant system, etc. This is definitely a safety issue. Have replaced belt myself numerous times. Failure of tensioner and 2 other pulleys eventually needed at cost of $300+. Waiting for it to happen again. . . I see this is an ongoing problem.

The consumer stated when it rained, the drive belt fell off the vehicle. Took vehicle to a dealership, who fixed the problem, but they could not tell her why this occurred. The drive belt was replaced approximately a month ago. The tensioner was changed, and this did not help the belt. The vehicle is in the shop at this time , and the consumer doesn't have any information with the VIN on it.

While driving in rain or snow or over any type of puddle the serpentine belt slipped off. Dealer stated there was nothing they could do.

Vehicle experienced a problem with the driving belt. Owner was driving and came to a stop sign, applied the brakes, and the vehicle shut down. Driving belt broke , causing complete loss of control of the vehicle. Owner contacted the dealer and the manufacturer, and received no assistance from either.

Serpentine belt pops off every time it rains.

In June 2004 while driving in a rainstorm on the highway serpentine belt on my 1998 Chrysler town and country broke. It was replaced. In July of 2004, while driving on a wet street, the serpentine belt came off. It was put back on. On oct 8,2004, while driving in the rain, the serpentine belt came off, it was put back on along with the TSB shield recommended in 1999 by chrylser to prevent the belt from coming off in the rain. On Nov 1, 2004 while driving in the rain, the belt came off. Chrysler put it back on and charged me $43. Chysler has known about this defect since 1999. No effort has been made to come up with a permanent solution. Allen samuels dealership in webster, TX sees 3-4 minivans come in with this problem each time it rains.

My Chrysler town and country had a belt alignment problem. If the belt gets wet, it slips off the pulleys or breaks/shreads. I had to have it repaired by placing a spacer plate between a pully and the motor and a new belt tensioner. When the problem occurs, the van is very hard to stear due to loss of power steering. I researched the www, and this has been a problem for many people.

While driving 35 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer tried to restart vehicle but was unable to do so. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic replaced the serpentine belt, and placed a shield around it to prevent it from falling off.

Three times in one year and twice in one week the serpentine belt came off. Seems to be worse in wet weather. The last time it happened my daughter was driving with her 4 children in the car at 65 mph on the interstate in rush-hour traffic. When the belt comes off you lose, among other items, the power steering. This is a dangerous situation. My dealer found the service bulletin addressing the problem (only after I told him the TSB number) but would not show it to me. A call to Chrysler customer service only got me an offer to sell me the service bulletin. I have since found out the service bulletin calls for replacement an incorrectly designed idler pulley bracket. I believe this is a critical safety issue, made worse by the manufacturers unwillingness to share its knowledge of the problem with the customer.

The contact complained about a serpentine belt problem. She replaced the belt three times. This has been an ongoing problem for the past three years. The first problem emerged when the belt broke while driving. The power steering was lost when the breakage occurred. The next two times the belt itself did not break, it came off the pulley. The vehicle has been taken back to the dealer for repairs all three times.

While driving the vehicle shut down without any warning. Consumer was unable to steer. Contacted dealer. Metal in serpentine belt tensioner was defective, causing the belt which was attached to slip off.

While driving 8-9 mph vehicle lost power steering. Vehicle was towed to dealer, belt tensioner had broken.

While driving, the serpentine belt had come off the pulleys, the power steering, air condition (compressor), defroster and alternator had gone out. It was difficult to steer and the windows fogged. The dealer replaced the tensioner and serpentine drive belt. (the serpentine belt had come off during a rain storm and the tensioner was worn out).

I have had two incidents where the engine's serpentine belt has come off the pulleys. When this occurs, the vehicle loses all power options and becomes difficult to control. In addition the vehicle can be driven only a few miles without overheating. I belive that since the manufacturer is aware of this problem, they should reimburse owners who have been forced to correct this situation. They should also be proactive about correcting those vehicles that still represent a liability to their owners. This is ultimately a safety issue to prevent loss of vehicle control and becoming stranded along the highway.

The serpentine belt broke 2 times in 2 weeks - a critical component. It happened at 30000.

While driving in the rain serpetine belt fell off, which may have caused a loss of vehicle control. Dealer said it was a common problem, but could not determine the cause. Please provide further information.

Rattling noise in engine, sounds like a bike chain, its louder when the a/c on and when van is in park or drive. Have had clutch , air coil hub a/c replaced, belt drive, tensioner replace 3 times.

Serpentine belt would always come off when vehicle goes through puddles or when road is wet. Had taken vehicle to dealership, and mechanic replaced belt and pulley. This is was 7th time it has happened.

Serpentine belt broke, resulting in loss of vehicle control. Dealer and manufacturer has been contacted.

When driving through standing water serpentine belt fell off, causing vehicle to lose power steering and overheat.

The serpentine belt was replaced 4 times, which continued to fall off, when the vehicle was wet.