adallak Posted August 1, 2019 Report Share Posted August 1, 2019 My car has been killing batteries for years. Several tensioners, belts, alternators, batteries were replaced to no avail. Sure, I measured parasitic drain, voltage drop at cables, etc. I still suspect the belt is slipping. The steering has been harder than it was supposed to be as well. The effective length of the OEM belt is 1633 mm. I found a BANDO 6PK1630, ...1625, ...1620 belts, which claim effective length of 1630, 1625, 1620 mm. What difference in effective length would make the difference between nonslipping and slipping belt? Thank you. Quote The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted August 1, 2019 Report Share Posted August 1, 2019 Adallak, I hope all is fine. My gut feeling is that if you had a slipping belt it would squeal. Check the resistance of the battery wires, if they have oxidized they will draw more, and hurt charging. Quote Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted August 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2019 1 hour ago, BodybyFisher said: Adallak, I hope all is fine. My gut feeling is that if you had a slipping belt it would squeal. Check the resistance of the battery wires, if they have oxidized they will draw more, and hurt charging. Thanks, Mike. Will check the cables again. No squealing whatsoever, but steering is harder than it was when I bought the car. That makes me think something is wrong with tension/belt. Quote The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted August 1, 2019 Report Share Posted August 1, 2019 Maybe, but my experience is that you would feel jumping if it slipped and it would be accompanied by a squeal. Ill research what causes increased steering effort. My guess is steering column bearings. Lets do some thinking Quote Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted August 1, 2019 Report Share Posted August 1, 2019 By the way, do the belts appear to be glazed from slipping?, if it is slipping I think you would see evidence. Quote Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockfangd Posted August 2, 2019 Report Share Posted August 2, 2019 There are too many variables here between the 2 issues. Stiff steering can be caused by tight balljoints, tie rods, strut bearings, weak pump, column bearings (rare) I have never had any issues regarding belt length on these. I usually run a good quality gates or dayco belt. Or ACD when I can find them. Look at your tensioner and see where it sits with tension on it normally, If it is good it should be about half way between each limiter. Have you checked your grounds? That can cause issues as well BodybyFisher 1 Quote GM FAN FOREVER Nice, clean, luxury= fine automobile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted August 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2019 4 hours ago, BodybyFisher said: By the way, do the belts appear to be glazed from slipping?, if it is slipping I think you would see evidence. No glazing at all. I have a half a dozen belts.All look good. Three tensioners, six batteries, the second alternator in 10 years, 40,000 miles ( I do not drive as much as I used to do). Quote The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted August 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2019 27 minutes ago, rockfangd said: There are too many variables here between the 2 issues. Stiff steering can be caused by tight balljoints, tie rods, strut bearings, weak pump, column bearings (rare) I have never had any issues regarding belt length on these. I usually run a good quality gates or dayco belt. Or ACD when I can find them. Look at your tensioner and see where it sits with tension on it normally, If it is good it should be about half way between each limiter. Have you checked your grounds? That can cause issues as well The car is pretty clean, have not been neglected. The grounds look okay. Currently, a new ACDelco 6K642 is used. Quote The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.