im really stuck now.....i think my a/c compressor is locked up and its makeing it hard for my truck to turn over...when i try to start it, it acts like the battery's are dead but i just bought new battery's....i took the cables off and cleaned them up then it started but very slowly... and when it did start the belts sqeeked real loud for like 2 seconds....if i got a new belt and bypasses the a/c would i still have this problem... this is on a 1998.5 dodge 3500 please reply back with any ideas

 

The A/C compressor should spin free when the A/C is off.

Are you sure it is not the starter contacts? How many miles are on it?

 

172000
and it has a brand new starter

 

Get someone to crank the engine while you watch the A/C compressor. Even if the A/C **** in the truck is "on" the clutch on the compressor will not engage until 5-10 seconds after the engine starts.

You may also have a bad alternator. The alternator spins as long as the belt is moving. If there is a bad bearing in it then the belt will strain to get it spinning. A bad bearing can also overheat the alternator and damage it too. This could explain why your new batteries may seem weak, they may not be getting a proper charge.

 

Remove the belt and see if it starts ok without it. My compressor locked up on mine. When I started it the belt sqealed loud for 10 seconds and the belt broke. After you remove the belt you should be able to spin the ac pulley easily. If not your compressor clutch is locked up. You can buy a belt for the no ac trucks and it will fit to bypass your ac till you get it fixed.
jmack9288

 

the belt broke this morning....is it possible to put a new one onmy self or do i have to take it to a shop?

 

Serpentine belts are easy to replace, as long as you have some hand tools. Namely and 3/8ths inch socket wrench. You will use that to pull back the belt tensioner. Get a new belt and follow the routing for it on the diagram on the radiator support. After you route the belt pull back the tensioner and slip the belt underneath it and release the tensioner.

I really good idea I've picked up is to take some emory cloth or fine sandpaper and rough up the pulley surfaces. This helps give a good surface for the belt to grip and will be way less likely to slip.

Also since to have the belt out anyway, give the A/C pulley and alternator pulley a spin. The A/C should spin freely and the alternator will be a little tougher (you are spinning a magnet). It shouldn't take a lot of effort to spin either one.

Let us know how it turns out.