Serpentine Belt Breaks on Highway and I lose Power Steering

[@stuart_oneill]

Thank goodness you were strong enough to turn the wheel off the highway. My serpentine belt just blew in front of a convenience store. I was able to move to another parking spot out of the way but it took all the muscle and I'm 6"1'/ 220lbs. But now I wait for my mechanic friend who is 20 miles away. Hope the belt tensioner didn't break too. I'm so non mechanic I really can't tell. Good advice if you can afford to do a belt replacement once a year. Right now I'm frantically calling friends trying to borrow enough to pay for a belt and the mechanic. Praying it's only the belt. Literally.

[@TaylorKaye]

thanks so much. Glad you're ok. People don't understand how tough it and how calm you have to be when something like that happens

[@1pelikone]

Steering is really light at highway speeds so don't worry if you lose power steering there. It's only at low speeds where it becomes heavy.

[@TaylorKaye]

@@1pelikone good to know thank you for sharing

[@elmecanico4943]

No brakes? Weird, because serpentine belts drives the following: water pump, alternator, power steering pump, idler pulley.

[@TaylorKaye]

crazy right

[@karlayork877]

Scary! Glad you safely survived this harrowing experience. I say that from a little experience, although mine was not nearly as bad as yours. As a very tiny, wimpy fifteen-year-old in driver's ed (a very long time ago), I was at the wheel, instructor beside me, classmates in back seat, when the power steering belt broke just as I was going into a curve on a smaller highway. All the belts were separate back then -- power steering belt, fan belt, water pump belt, this belt, that belt. So all I lost was power steering. At the time I wished I had not been the one driving, but I later realized it probably was good that I was, since I had four years experience -- driving illegally since I was eleven -- as compared to my classmates who may have had less than four days behind a wheel. To my great relief (as well as that of my instructor) I did manage to keep the car on the road and get it safely stopped. I don’t recall having any problem with braking. Thank you for posting your video. I came across it while researching for a novel I am working on, in which a young woman finds herself stranded when her serpentine belt snaps and her phone is dead. Fortunately for her, a safety-conscious mechanic comes along, runs after the needed part, and mends her car, but not without annoying her by first mistaking her for a child, then telling her to slow down (she had gotten from there to here at a much faster rate than the state laws suggest), and finally advising her to take better care of her car and keep her phone charged up. FYI, one thing I have learned while researching is that year, make, model, etc, does make a difference. For instance, not all cars will lose power brakes; in fact, it appears that most do not. On a given vehicle, the serpentine belt may or may not run the water pump or radiator fan (though I think most do run those.)

[@TaylorKaye]

thank you for sharing! When will your novel come out! Please let me know. I'm on the radio and would love to chat about it!

[@karlayork877]

Wow, thanks! I would love to have some PR once I get the novel done (though some days it feels like that will never happen). I have a little more about it below, but first, I have a few questions if you have time to answer them. You mentioned that other belts that were shredded. Do you know what purposes those belts serve? Is it common for a broken serpentine belt to do that much damage to other components? Was your serpentine belt still inside your engine compartment, or did it completely disappear, with pieces falling out onto the roadway? How much noise did you hear, and how would you describe it? (My character, Katherine, heard a “pop” sound and first thought she had hit a rock that flew up and hit her car, but it is possible that that is not realistic.) Did your “check engine” light come on during this event? Was your AC running, and if so, did that stop before (or at least at the same time as) the loss of your power steering? (I realize that since you are in Canada, that might not have been an issue; I’m in Texas, where AC is pretty much a year-round thing, although we do occasionally play winter for a day or two, now and then.) I have long heard the adage to “write what you know”, but thanks to the internet and a great deal of helpful information from people like you, I now know much more than I did before I began this novel. I had been on KZbin and elsewhere a few months ago looking for information about replacing the belt, how long it would take, what it entailed, etc., but until today, I had not searched specifically for drivers’ accounts of their experiences. Yours was the first description I found. Because of your experience, I still need to do a little more research to be certain that Katherine’s brakes are not affected, but I think that won’t be the case. From some things I have read, it is mainly larger vehicles that have that connection (one mechanic specifically stated, “a few larger vehicles, 3/4, and 1 ton trucks and SUV's etc,”) which seems like poor planning on the automakers’ part, since larger vehicles are even more difficult to control when power steering goes out (and again, I can speak from experience; I lost power steering in my van some ten or so years ago, though not due to a belt,) and adding brake failure (or at least impairment, due to loss of power,) just adds to an already difficult situation. About the novel -- I still have a long way to go. It began as a short story years ago, involving a fan belt that broke, causing the car to overheat. There was no such thing as a cell phone, so Katherine had no way to call for help. When I recently decided to add more to the story and turn it into a novel, I discovered that there is no longer such a thing as a fan belt (I am disabled and home-bound, so I have not owned a car in a long time and was really out of date.) Then I realized that Katherine would have a cell phone and could easily call for help. So for the sake of story, she had to forget her charge cord on a two-day trip from Dallas, Texas, to Shreveport, Louisiana, and back. The lack of the cord might not have been such a big deal, except that the use of a new app to warn her of speed traps and other road hazards drained her battery more quickly than she expected. Thanks again for relating your experience and for any additional info you can share.

[@automedic9781]

Very sorry to hear about your experience. But just a few things. Number one. A broken serpentine (ser-pen-teen) belt would in NO WAY affect your power brakes. Your power brakes are run off your brake booster, which is typically vacuum operated using engine vacuum, or on some systems electronically controlled. This component is no where near your belt system. Next, I promise you you could turn the car. It may have been very difficult, but going at highway speeds you should only notice a minor difference in steering effort. I drove without power steering for two years on a failed pump The only things that would have been affected by your belt breaking are your alternator, power steering pump, water pump if it's accessory driven and not timing driven, and your A/C compressor. Now this may vary depending on year make and model as some cars like Fords are going to electronic power steering system, and BMWs that use electric water pumps, etc, etc. But regardless, other than affecting these systems, and potentially causing damage to the vehicle if run too long without the belt, it's truly not a "dangerous" experience. If it happens you pull off to the side of the road, get it towed to a shop, and fix the problem. It's a common failure caused by a lack of maintenance, and occasionally but very rarely caused by a faulty belt. Inconvenient absolutely. But in no real way dangerous. It's definitely more common than most realize too. I get 3 or 4 of these in a week varying from Nissan Altima to most recently a 98 Mercedes. On top of that I've seen animals lodged in them, I've seen them partially torn swinging around the engine slapping things, etc.

[@TaylorKaye]

wow thank you so much for replying. I know this is helping a ton of drivers out there. so common though right...so many belts break. As long as we don't panic you can be safe!

[@sltgirl219]

TheMillennialMechanic my belt slipped off because of an oil leak. (2006 bmw 525xi) how do I get the belt out of the crankshaft pulley?

[@automedic9781]

Sheneitra Howard Anyway you can send me a picture of it? Sometimes you can cut it. Sometimes you can just spend some time unwrapping it. I’ve had ones so bad where the pulley has to be replaced because it’s tangled up so tight, but that’s usually with alternator pulleys. I’d really have to see it before I could tell you what I’d recommend

[@sltgirl219]

TheMillennialMechanic ok it's night time here but I'll try right now. Give me 5 min!

[@sltgirl219]

I'm having trouble uploading. Do you have an email I can send them to?

[@lacondraadkism4268]

This happened to me yesterday afternoon. I heard something pop while driving and when I tried to turn on the street close by my house the steering wheel locked! I was freaking out! I made it home safely though. Think it was a belt.

[@TaylorKaye]

Thank goodness you’re safe!! It’s so scary

[@lacondraadkism4268]

Thank u Taylor! It was indeed the serpentine belt. I got it fixed and all is good now! God Bless and stay safe!

[@TaylorKaye]

Lacondra MizzRedd Adkism glad you’re safe woot woot

[@jamalscott6114]

Did u get it replaced ?

[@alexiselias8158]

I actually just experienced this exact thing last night. Very scary moment, my breaks were also giving me problems and my car didn't wanna stop. Thankfully I'm fine

[@TaylorKaye]

omg thank goodness you're ok! just so horrible.

[@chrisorcutt1825]

Happened to me night before I was heading out and it started overheating 4.3 miles away from my house I ended up getting a belt and I drove 4.3 miles next day didn't hurt it I don't think when power steering out they are hard to turn on stops but steering down the highway easy but I always when that went out I learned that if you cut em the direction you are turning while rolling it helps cause time you reach the stop you don't have as far to turn if you do that

[@TaylorKaye]

thanks for watching our video and sharing your story and glad you're safe!

[@teadid5663]

Thank you so so much I keep telling my mom it’s gonna break on me soon

[@TaylorKaye]

thx

[@panovmitko1121]

Broken belt??? That’s a real danger. You’re now our hero.

[@TaylorKaye]

what ha ha? Ok

[@jackblack7573]

I was hauling 3 heavy cargo vans when this happened to my ram 5500. Luckily I have a break that uses my exhaust to slow me down and trailer breaks/parking breaks to help me at the red light before pulling into the shop

[@sheldonm3535]

You had steering. Just not power steering. Can still steer just takes more effort. Calm down and pull over and turn the car off before it over heats.

[@TaylorKaye]

great advice thanks! I did have to crank it...so scary!

[@joyhouse5992]

I’ve had this happen to me tonight in my rv. I’m sitting on the side of the interstate here in Florida USA. till in the morning for someone to open up to come fix it. It scared me and now it’s 2am and I’m stressing out about did I mess something else up when it stalled.

[@TaylorKaye]

omg i'm so sorry you went through that. I'm sure you're home now and safe

[@joyhouse5992]

@@TaylorKaye yeah it was fixed the next morning. It was scary sitting there hearing the big trucks go by and I was a trucker but not all pay attention

[@jackblack7573]

Also you will overheat extremely fast cause coolant stops flowing

[@carlotamorana74]

OMG this happened to me this morning. It was so frightening!

[@TaylorKaye]

I Hope your ok...where did it happen? What country?

[@dcfan2222]

Happened to me last night driving on the windy us 50....

[@TeeBizz]

This happened to me this past Saturday....I am glad that I had 2,000 miles left on my extended warranty

[@TaylorKaye]

thank goodness

[@amirkhokhar89]

This is why i made a video on 14 hazards of car travelling

[@TaylorKaye]

Connect with AK thx for doing that

[@AR1GAT0]

I rented from Enterprise and the belt broke at normal rate on Labor Day weekend =/ Fortunately I pulled over before the bridge. Glad you are okay!

[@TaylorKaye]

WOW OMG!!!! I'm glad you are ok

[@suncitybooksgeraldton335]

You still have steering it is just a lot harder that is how you got the car to turn off the freeway and your brakes also worked just a lot more pressure was needed. I taught both my daughters to stop and steer the car with the engine off on a hill so they new what to expect with a belt or engine failure. I had my hand ready on the hand brake if they panicked.

[@TaylorKaye]

good to know

[@tiatattoo615]

That happened to me on Tuesday on the interstate at 75 MPH. I AM TRAUMATIZED!! EVERYONE SAYING BELT PROBABLY BROKE.

[@TaylorKaye]

crazy!!! i'm glad you're safe!!!

[@TaylorKaye]

thanks so much guys for your support! I know you caught this on FB live! Drive safe!

[@orlandocruz9473]

This happened to my nissan altima 02 I fixed the belt but the tensioner I believe is crookit or something fell off But I ordered a new tensioner snd I pray that works. Just my engine coolant was overtemp It's been off 3 days and soon this tensioner will be here I cant wait. I have a good feeling things will be better

[@TaylorKaye]

this is happening to more and more people. It is scary when you're driving and it happens

[@foxythechampagnefox8030]

If theres no power steering turn the car to the shoulder with all your force and when your on the shoulder Keep your car in drive and take out your key and that will cutoff gas to the engine and you will be able to be in a safe location

[@TaylorKaye]

thank you so much for sharing and taking the time. so many people have had this situation happen to them

[@ukpkmkk_2]

You don't lose brakes completely, and your steering won't be much affected (if any) at 100mph.. You only have to sleep the brake harder to slow down (it might need a few pumps and some pushing) and as long as you're moving steering won't be a problem either.

[@TaylorKaye]

it was hard I have a big truck...I think going that fast it reacts differently

[@chiguy9489]

Glad you were okay beautiful. This just happened to me monday after work. Thank goodness this didnt happen earlier when my daughter had/drove my car to take her mom to her doctors appt earlier

[@TaylorKaye]

Oh wow!

[@willmon19]

Not sure why you couldnt turn or have brakes. Not only did my serptine belt broke but my pulley broke off my power steering pump. I have been running it with no power steering since it kept running the fluid out in a few days. And I could still steer and stop with my regular brakes. First thing I noticed was my battery light came on after I heard something hit the ground probably the bolt that held the pulley on. Then my car was starting to overheat after a quarter of a mile or less. Luckily I made it to a gas station and stopped. My car was smoking and spewing all its antifreeze out. It still starts and moves turns and stops just without the belt it will overheat. As the belt is not only around the power steering and alternator. But it is also around the water pump as well as 1 or 2 other things like the ac pump. So not sure why you would say all cars as older ones such as my 98 cavalier does in fact steer and brakes fine with no serpentine belt.

[@TaylorKaye]

thx so much for sharing. I've heard so many people that have had different experiences. I'm glad your situation was not as bad and glad you're safe!

[@willmon19]

Taylor Kaye I have had worse. Like going down the highway at 70+mph and doing 360s down it. Luckily I didnt collide with anyone and my engine shutdown.

[@TaylorKaye]

omg omg wow

[@jonnydevlin7045]

Yep that's what happens when the belt goes out mine has three belts so if one blows I generally can keep going except for that one time when my belt exploded and the shreds got under the other belts making them come off

[@HonorBoyLJ]

This literally just happened to me. Great information!

[@TaylorKaye]

omg I hope you're ok! It's scary but you can manage...but people need to be informed...cars were like this back in the 70's Thank god my parents had old cars so I was a bit aware! Hope you're safe

[@thetenderloins6564]

Glad to know you are fine. The last thing you want to do in those situations is panic. Drive safe and make sure to replace that serpentine belt every 60,000 miles.

[@TaylorKaye]

thx so much

[@BlacqDiamond555]

It happened to me today but let me tell you oh my God it was the scariest thing ever but thank God everything was okay🙏

[@TaylorKaye]

thank god!

[@Mauisunshine9]

I’m glad u were ok 👍🏼 Put ur car in neutral so it slows if u ever are going too fast and have no control.

[@MrAnthonyC]

OMG! I guess like minds attract. You DO NOT put your car in neutral to slow it down. Putting your car in neutral DOES THE EXACT OPPOSITE!!! If anything you try to keep putting your car in a lower and lower gear. When your foot is not on the gas and you keep downshifting you can very effectively bring the car to a stop as long as you are on level ground. All bets are off if you are on a hill.

[@Mauisunshine9]

@@MrAnthonyC the guy that called 911 with is gas pedal stuck and he didn’t know it going over 100 mph and killed his whole family NEUTRAL WOULD HAVE SAVED HIM & HIS FAMILIES LIVES!!

[@TaylorKaye]

OMG they picked this story up on @GlobalNews in Toronto! Thx guys for all of your feedback on FB and social! xo

[@TaylorKaye]

@Medin I. glad you are safe now

[@edwardstewart9768]

I can assure the posters that a broken belt does indeed affect your brakes...it happened to me just yesterday 13/5/19

[@TaylorKaye]

wow are you ok?

[@jonnydevlin7045]

Nope brakes are driven by the vacuum system

[@btx5740]

Edward Stewart Mine went this Morning drove 15 miles w/ 🙌🏾 then the car was running off the battery I just pull to a rest stop an waited for coworker

[@mastermind5482]

The serpentine belt doesn’t control power brakes however if your engine dies you’ll lose power brakes.

[@TaylorKaye]

It was all happening at once...either way super scary

[@jessicaskelton2246]

My belt tensioner fell off and my serpentine belt has unraveled itself underneath my car... I came out of the Dunkin’ Donuts, went to start my car and I heard a super loud noise (it sounded like there was ice underneath the car, sounds weird I know). I went to look underneath the car and I found the belt tensioner broken off, and the serpentine belt hanging down... needless to say, that was a crappy morning and I had to call a tow truck to get the dang car and get it to the nearest mechanic. I’m waiting on one more part to come in and the car should be fixed... 😬😬😬

[@TaylorKaye]

omg I'm glad you're safe though. So scary

[@TaylorKaye]

what type of car do you drive?

[@jessicaskelton2246]

@@TaylorKaye 1999 Saab 9-3. Its all fixed now!

[@jessicaskelton2246]

Its what happens when a car gets to be 21 years old.

[@DIYOneForAll]

If this does happen again, switch to a lower gear. It will slow the car down.

[@TaylorKaye]

yes thank you! so much to learn. So glad to share my story with everyone so they can learn!

[@tammykirk1730]

Happened to me today and i freaked out good my husband kept me calm

[@TaylorKaye]

so scary right. glad you are ok! was i the belt?

[@tiatattoo615]

Mine wouldnt go either, gas pedal wouldnt work either! wouldnt stop! wouldnt steer. Nothing!

[@TaylorKaye]

omg that is crazy

[@mickaylasmith2688]

Just happened to me in new York with all this snow hoping my car only needs a belt not anything else 😭💔 pray for me

[@TaylorKaye]

that is scary

[@lianagabriele5759]

Glad you are okay friend! :)

[@TaylorKaye]

thx @LianaGabriele it was for sure scary!

[@jamelldavis9392]

Sir-pen-teen

[@TaylorKaye]

thx

[@karlayork877]

That is an alternate pronunciation, acceptable in some places. Preferred pronunciation in most places is ser-pen-tine (long E).

[@MohammedAhmed-vw8hy]

Thx

[@jonnydevlin7045]

Why are your brakes driven by the belt they shouldn't even be close to one another

[@jonnydevlin7045]

You would still be able to steer especially at highway speeds the only thing that it would seriously affect is the water pump and you would over heat. The belt drives the a.c. power steering water pump and alternator

[@TaylorKaye]

@@jonnydevlin7045 thanks so much for the feedback

[@jonnydevlin7045]

Actually correction there are some cars with hydrolic brakes that get pressurised by the pump it is a rare case but it is in some cars

[@loganelmore5423]

"Serpine"

[@TaylorKaye]

ha ha. yes thank you @logan.

[@baskeldo7907]

Logan Elmore “serpine belt” lmao when she said that

[@Diamond31pro]

Ser_pen_tine

[@TaylorKaye]

thank you

[@Diamond31pro]

No problem 😁

[@MOE-uo4wm]

How did u pay

[@TaylorKaye]

I had to go to the dealership and pay for a new serpentine belt there

[@MOE-uo4wm]

Taylor Kaye same thing happened to me I just got it fix lol

[@TaylorKaye]

just crazy! so glad I'm alive it was very scary

[@savage_e8020]

How much did they charge for the belt?