The 1999 Plymouth Breeze cars came equipped with both a serpentine belt and a V-belt. Each belt controls its own set of accessories. The serpentine belt controls the alternator and the air conditioner pump. When the motor is cranked and running, the crankshaft will turn the serpentine belt around the two accessory pulleys. This will enable the accessories to function. If the serpentine belt becomes chaffed or damaged, replace it before it breaks. Once the belt breaks, the engine will not be able to run very long before it drains the battery.
Park the 1999 Plymouth Breeze and open the hood up.
Inspect the top of the radiator shroud near the hood latch for the serpentine belt routing diagram. If the diagram is not near the hood latch, look on the underside of the hood.
Locate the tensioning device that holds the serpentine belt tight to the accessory pulleys. The tensioning device on the 1999 Plymouth Breeze is located underneath the alternator. The device will have a locking bolt in the center of the tensioner pulley and an adjustment bolt on the side of the pulley.
Loosen the locking bolt in the center of the tensioner pulley with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet, extension and a socket.
Turn the adjustment bolt on the side of the tensioner pulley counterclockwise with the ratchet, extension and socket. When the belt is loose, pull it off the three pulleys and out of the engine area.
Wrap the new serpentine belt around the three accessory pulleys. Turn the adjustment bolt on the side of the tensioner pulley clockwise to tighten the serpentine belt. To test the tension of the belt, push down on the belt with your hand. If there is more than one-half inch of slack in the belt, then the belt will be too loose. Continue to turn the adjustment bolt until the serpentine belt is properly tightened.
Screw the lock bolt back down tight with the ratchet and socket. Then, crank the engine and let it run for about one minute. Inspect the new belt to make sure it is traveling around the pulleys properly. Then, turn the engine off and close the hood.
