The Dodge Neon was first introduced for the 1995 model year. The 2001 Dodge Neon was equipped with a 2.0-liter engine, capable of producing 132-horsepower and 130-foot-pounds of torque. There are two tensioners on the 2001 Dodge Neon to accommodate the two drive belts. One drive belt runs the alternator and air conditioning compressor, while the second belt runs the power steering pump. The removal process for both tensioners is the same.
Open the hood on the 2001 Neon, and position yourself over the passenger side of the engine. The passenger side of this engine is the belt side of the engine. Visually locate the tensioner assembly you wish to loosen. The alternator and A/C tensioner is located halfway between the alternator and A/C, and is about halfway down from the top on the front of the engine. The power steering belt tensioner is located on the bottom rear corner of the motor, almost parallel to the harmonic balancer, or main pulley.
Place a 3/8-ratchet and socket on the adjuster bolt, located behind the tensioner assembly. The alternator belt tensioner adjuster bolt is located on the front side of the engine, and is aimed about 45-degrees downward from the front of the tensioner. The power steering tensioner adjust bolt faces straight downward from the tensioner.
Turn the ratchet counterclockwise to loosen the tension on the drive belts. You will notice that the tensioner pulley is on a sliding track, and that the tensioner moves inward and upward as you turn the adjuster bolt. Turn the bolt counterclockwise until you have released the tension on the belt.
