Where to Find the Serpentine Belt Diagram

The serpentine belt diagram is usually located under the hood on a factory sticker—commonly on the radiator support, the fan shroud, or the underside of the hood; if it’s missing, check the owner’s manual, a service manual, or look up your exact vehicle by VIN or year/make/model on a reputable repair database or the manufacturer’s website. Below is a detailed guide to help you find it quickly and accurately.

Typical On-Vehicle Locations

Most manufacturers place a routing diagram where you can see it while working at the front of the engine bay. Check these spots first before turning to manuals or online resources.

• Top of the radiator support or core support crossmember
• Fan shroud (front or top surface)
• Underside of the hood (near the latch area)
• Near the strut tower or inner fender on the passenger side
• On or near the timing cover or accessory drive cover
• Emissions/underhood information label area (often grouped with vacuum and emissions data)

If you find a label, it may be titled “Drive Belt Routing” or “Accessory Drive” and can include alternate routings (e.g., with or without A/C). If the label is worn or missing, continue to the next sections.

How to Find the Diagram in Manuals and Online

If the underhood sticker isn’t present or legible, official documentation and trusted databases will have the exact belt routing for your engine variant. Use the precise vehicle details to avoid mistakes.

1. Owner’s manual: Look under Maintenance, Engine Compartment, or Drive Belts sections.
2. Factory service manual (FSM): Provides engine-specific routing and tensioner locations.
3. Automaker’s website or owner portal: Enter your VIN to get model- and engine-specific diagrams.
4. Professional databases: AlldataDIY, Mitchell1, and Chilton contain routing diagrams by year/make/model/engine.
5. Parts retailers: Many (e.g., major U.S. chains) provide free diagrams online when you select your vehicle.
6. VIN-based lookup: Use the VIN to ensure you match engine size, options (A/C, idle-stop), and accessory layout.

Cross-check the routing for your exact engine code and accessory configuration. Many vehicles have multiple routings depending on whether they have A/C, hydraulic power steering, or secondary air pumps.

If the Diagram Is Missing and You’re Replacing the Belt

When no official diagram is handy, document your current routing before removing the old belt. This prevents guesswork and misrouting that can damage accessories or cause squeal/alignment issues.

• Take clear photos from multiple angles showing how the belt snakes around each pulley.
• Sketch a quick diagram noting smooth (backside) vs. ribbed (grooved) pulleys.
• Label pulleys: crank, alternator, power steering, A/C, water pump, idler(s), and tensioner.
• Note belt path variants (some water pumps run off the smooth side; routing matters for rotation direction).
• Compare your notes to any diagrams you later find to confirm accuracy before reassembly.

A few minutes of documentation can save significant time. If something doesn’t match during reinstallation, stop and verify the path before starting the engine.

Safety and Fitment Tips

Proper routing and tension are critical for alternator charging, cooling performance, and steering assist. Use these checks to ensure a successful install.

• Work with the engine off and cool; keep fingers and tools away from pulleys.
• Use the correct tool on the tensioner (often a 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch square drive or specific wrench).
• Confirm belt length and rib count match your engine and accessory setup; a wrong-length belt may “fit” but slip or ride incorrectly.
• Ensure the belt sits fully in the grooves and tracks straight across all pulleys.
• Spin idler and tensioner pulleys by hand; replace any noisy or rough bearings.
• After installation, start the engine briefly and watch belt tracking; recheck after a short drive.

If the belt walks off a pulley or chirps immediately, shut down and re-verify routing and pulley alignment. Persistent noise may indicate a failing tensioner or misaligned accessory.

Special Cases and Notes

Not every vehicle uses a traditional external serpentine belt for all accessories, and diagrams can vary widely by configuration.

• Some vehicles have multiple belts (e.g., a main serpentine belt plus a separate A/C belt).
• Hybrids and some modern cars may drive certain accessories electrically, changing or eliminating belt routing.
• Engines can vary within the same model year; always verify engine code and accessory options.

If your vehicle differs from typical layouts, rely on the factory manual or VIN-based diagrams to avoid incorrect routing.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you cannot locate a reliable diagram, encounter unusual pulley layouts, or suspect alignment issues, consult a qualified technician. Misrouting can overheat the engine (water pump not driven) or damage accessories.

Summary

The serpentine belt diagram is most often found on an underhood sticker—typically on the radiator support, fan shroud, or underside of the hood. If it’s missing, check the owner’s manual, a factory or professional service manual, the automaker’s site, or reputable parts/repair databases using your VIN or exact year/make/model/engine. Document the existing routing before removal, verify pulley types and belt specs, and prioritize safety and alignment during installation.

Can I drive my car with a bad serpentine belt?

No, it is not safe to drive a car with a bad serpentine belt. A bad serpentine belt, or one that is broken, can lead to a variety of issues, including engine overheating, loss of power steering, and the battery not charging. Driving a short distance with a broken belt can cause significant damage to the engine and other components. It’s best to have the belt replaced as soon as possible. 
Here’s why it’s not safe:

• Overheating: The serpentine belt drives the water pump, which circulates coolant to prevent the engine from overheating. If the belt breaks, the water pump stops working, and the engine can quickly overheat, potentially causing serious damage like warped cylinder heads or cracked engine blocks. 
• Loss of Power Steering: The serpentine belt often powers the power steering pump. Without it, steering becomes very difficult, especially at lower speeds. 
• Battery Not Charging: The serpentine belt also drives the alternator, which charges the battery. If the belt breaks, the battery will not be charged, and the car will eventually stall. 
• Other Accessories: The serpentine belt also powers other accessories like the air conditioning compressor. 

What’s the average cost to replace a serpentine belt?

A serpentine belt repair, which typically involves replacement, generally costs $100 to $250, including parts and labor. The cost varies depending on the vehicle’s make and model, the accessibility of the belt in the engine, the quality of the replacement belt, and labor rates in your geographic area. 
Factors that influence the cost:

• Vehicle Make and Model: Some cars have simpler engine layouts and easier-to-reach belts, reducing labor time and cost. High-end or complex engine designs can increase the labor cost. 
• Part Quality: Premium-quality belts are more expensive but are designed to last longer, potentially saving you money in the long run. 
• Labor Rates: Dealerships may charge more for labor than independent shops, but costs vary by location and shop. 
• Complexity of the Job: If the belt is difficult to access and requires removing other components, labor costs will increase. 
• Additional Repairs: A failing belt can sometimes cause damage to other components, leading to higher overall repair costs. 

When to get it replaced:

• Squealing noises: A common symptom of a worn belt. 
• Visual cracks or wear: Cracks, chunks missing, or worn grooves on the belt are clear signs of deterioration. 
• Warning lights: The battery light, check engine light, or an engine overheating indicator can signal belt issues. 
• Loss of power steering: A broken belt will cause you to lose power steering, making the wheel harder to turn. 

Important tip: 

• It’s best to have a professional mechanic inspect and replace the belt to ensure it’s done correctly and to prevent potential engine damage from a broken belt.

Where can I find serpentine belt diagrams?

Some vehicles have the serpentine belt diagram located on a decal somewhere in the engine compartment. But if your car does not have a decal, you can easily look up the diagram in a repair manual or repair database.

Where is the belt diagram located?

A: Commonly a belt routing diagram sticker is on the underside of the hood or in the engine compartment. If there is no diagram, make a sketch of the belt and pulleys before removing the belt. This will help you re-route the new belt correctly.