over heating, battery light on, no power steering

1998 DODGE CARAVAN
200,000 MILES • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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SUSIE100
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Started over heating on Sunday but water level looked good. Going to work this morning it started over heating on my husband this morning, lost power steering, and the battery light came on. HELP. Had work done on the vehicle about two weeks ago, they damaged a hose but was told no big deal, drain hose, and we had to replace the belt that lets everything work (?). Can you help me trouble shoot?
Apr 28, 2014 at 6:51 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Since you lost PS and the battery light came on, I have to ask... has the accessory drive belt come off? If it did, it can cause loss of the PS, the battery light to come on, and the vehicle to over heat. If it didn't come off, is the belt tight enough to turn everything?
Apr 28, 2014 at 8:43 AM
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SUSIE100
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Is that the big belt on the side, I am sorry to sound so stupid but I don't work on car's. If it is then the answer is yes. I can have my husband check that after work to make sure it is tight enough. He said he checked to make sure that belt he replaced two weeks ago was still on the vehicle but he did not say he checked to make sure it was still tight.

Thanks,
Apr 28, 2014 at 8:51 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Yes, that's it. Let me know what you find. There is an automatic belt tensionier that keeps the belt tight. If it is bad, the belt could slip causing all these problems.

Apr 28, 2014 at 9:55 AM
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SUSIE100
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I was thinking about this and the belt he put on begins with an "S". Are we still speaking about the same belt?
Apr 28, 2014 at 12:16 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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I believe we are... The belt is called a serpentine belt and it runs the power steering, AC, water pump, alternator...
Apr 29, 2014 at 4:51 AM
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SUSIE100
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Yes that is the one. It had slipped off but my husband is also saying that the power steering, box, is bad. Thanks for your help.
Apr 29, 2014 at 5:54 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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I'm not sure why he feels the pump is bad, but if the belt came off, either it was put on incorrectly or the tensionier is bad and not keeping it tight. The tensionier is the most common problem.

Let me know if you have other questions.
Apr 29, 2014 at 8:48 AM
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SUSIE100
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Well he thinks it is bad because he can wiggle a certain part is all I know. Okay I will mention that to him also.


Thanks,
Apr 29, 2014 at 9:21 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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I hope I helped. Let me know if either of you have additional questions.

Joe
Apr 29, 2014 at 9:48 AM
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SUSIE100
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Yeap you sure did me! I will let you know.
Apr 29, 2014 at 10:24 AM