2003 ford windstar serpentine belt installation?

Answer 1

This was posted on another wiki site - it really helped me with replacing the belt on our van: I am not sure which engine you have as you did not indicate. If it is the 3.8 it is very easy. There are only 3 bolts holding it on. There is 1 plug and 1 battery (hot wire connected to it). First start by disconnecting the positive cable from the battery as to avoid any electrical shorting,this will clear any codes and the check engine light if it was on. Then remove the nut from the single wire on top of the alternator. Screw the nut back on so you dont loose it. Then for the plug, just push in on the drivers side of it and pull up and it will come off. Then grab the backside of the belt the runs from the top of the alternator towards the back of the van, pull real hard on it towards the front of the van, (be careful not to pinch your fingers between the belt and the pulley) and the tensioner will give allowing you enough room to slide the belt off of the alternator. Then remove the 3 bolts the hold the alternator in place and whala it's off! When putting it back on put your bolts back in first, then hook up your wire and plug, and then make sure the belt is around all of the pulleys and lined up correctly and pull again towards the front of the van to slide it back on(again...(be careful not to pinch your fingers between the belt and the pulley). Hook the positive wire back up to the battery and then have an assitant to just bump "NOT START" the engine as to get the belts proparly aligned. Take a visual inspection and make sure the belts are positioned correctly on the pulleys and then go ahead and start the van. Good luck!