I have a problem, I need some serious help. I have searched everywhere for a belt routing diagram on my fiero, even auto parts stores have one that looks completely different from mine. There are only four pullys on mine. I am not exactly sure how many belts and where they should be (the correct way). I have 2 belts on it right now I placed them based on their size and where they would fit.

With the two belts that I put on the car will run and runs fine! There is no belt on the alternator though, and so the battery is not recharging. The battery light is on and the battery will now eventually die without the belt on the alternator (is this correct?)

I have the service manual and nowhere in its 1303 pages does it have a diagram either!!!
PLEASE HELP ME!!!!

------------------
FAWN HANSEN

Welcome to the Forum Fawn.....

Do you know how to post pictures yet? Pictures help a lot, but you will get your help one way or another.

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 03-30-2011).]

One belt, a 'V' belt drives the A/C compressor from the crankshaft. Tension is set by movint the compressor.
The other belt, a serpentene belt drives the water pump and the alternator from the crankshaft. Tension is set by movint the alternator on the lower side of the bracket.

Sorta like this....the AC compressor is missing, but the belt is there. This is an 88.

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 03-30-2011).]

That picture is very helpful looks more like mine than anything I have found so It is the two belts that I just have placed wrong. Now I still have a question though. I put one of the belts on the two pulleys in the middle (sorry I do not know what they are....not a mechanic by any means but really trying to get this going for my husband to get to work because our van is constantly overheating and unreliable) and the A/C compressor, but it is the same type belt that is shown in the picture to connect to the A/C compressor, a belt with grooves. In the picture the belt has no grooves and is smooth, is this the type of belt I need or does it matter???

Also, does anyone have the proper sizes and names of the belts so I can be sure to have the correct ones???

Thank you so much for your help so far!!!

I do not have the car with me now to look at it and try to remedy this

------------------
FAWN HANSEN

You don't NEED the a/c belt, especially if the a/c doesn't work anyways (don't know if yours works or not). The notches in the pictured a/c belt are not a big deal, some have them some don't. It's just a difference in the brands.

Hi 1fatcat,

So what you are saying is that I only need the one belt that goes from the alternator to the two pulleys in the middle, if my A/C doesn't work (which it never has since we have owned the car)???

Any idea on the size??? While calling around I was told a size of 37 1/2 inches and of 42 inches for the serpentine belt.

------------------
FAWN HANSEN

The bigger belt is called a flat or 'serpentine' belt. it has little grooves in the inside that match the pullys that it rides on, and it is wider than the other one. If you go to the auto parts store they will have it listed by car and year...This belt is used on a lot of cars, so they will have one. 42" sounds about right...but I always trust the parts guy.

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 03-30-2011).]

Hi Gall757,

Thanl you very much, when my husband is home from work I will go over get the belt and place it where it should go. Is 1fatcat right then that I only need the one belt or should I still put both of them on???

I just want to say that this web site is a life saver, I cannot thank you all enough!

------------------
FAWN HANSEN

Fatcat speaks the truth. Are you gonna install the belt? Do you know how that works?

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 03-30-2011).]

Excellent, thanks again!

------------------
FAWN HANSEN

The grooves are an option typically found on higher-quality belts; they allow the belt to wrap around the alternator pulley a little more tightly for better grip. For belt brand, I recommend only the Goodyear Gatorback, number 4050410. Amazon has them for less than $10 now, Rockauto has them for $12.75. My last one lasted over 100k miles before the oil leak took it out.