FTO AUSTRALIA

I lost half my power steering belt yesterday morning doing over 7500rpm in 2nd and the car simply shutdown on me. Half the belt is still on but I fear the other half that's hanging off may have hit something crucial when it came apart. Or perhaps I've killed the pump or something?

Anyway the car won't turn over now. I disconnected the battery to reset the computer to see if that was stopping me from starting the car again but that didnt work. I've just had an alternator replacement a couple of months ago (and belt) and I just got my AirCon re-gased which I believe runs on the same belt or something yes?

I'm thinking the extra pressure from finally having a working AirCon was too much for the old belt and it gave in at 7500rpm hehe (AirCon was off at the time btw). Still the car won't start now and I really have no idea why. Any ideas?

I had to get it towed. It's like watching a family member going away in an ambulance. Well not that bad. I love my FTO but not that much lol.

$50 says the belt took out your Crank Angle sensor!

WOW you sound confident about that! And what exactly is a Crank Angle sensor and how much money have I lost?

Thanks for your help.

wonder why the belt let loose? old I guess...if air con was off then it should have been under no additional load.

khunjeng wrote:wonder why the belt let loose? old I guess...if air con was off then it should have been under no additional load.

Yeh I just thought with me not using the AirCon since I bought the car then suddenly started using it lots since I got it re-gased a couple of weeks ago that maybe it was the 'straw that broke the camels's back' kinda deal.

yep definately the crank angle sensor. exact same thin happend to me. Cost me about $300 to fix. All cos of a cheap belt. And i don't recomend tryin to fix it urself because you need to get the main pully off or something like that that makes it really difficult without the right tools.

Yep crank angle sensor coz it happened to me too. got a new one from northshore mitsubishi for $160 i think

Ok thanks so much guys you've all been a world of help to me. Looks like I'll have to get it towed to my mechanic ASAP.

Thanks again I really appreciate it.

Bennoz wrote:$50 says the belt took out your Crank Angle sensor!

wow its like your in my head!

that was my exact thought, its a little black sensor screwed on the side of your block.... good luck tracking down another 1!

Hehe, its something about "was at 7500rpm and a belt let go & now the car wont start" that gives it away every time.

Yeah, unfortunately the crank pulley has be removed to get at the sensor. Its a **** to get off. You might try Kempys for a replacement sensor, otherwise its off to Mitsubishi for you. They are common to non import Mitsi's as well, so you wont get slugged a million bucks, $160 sounds about right.

Ya never know thou, I've seen a few belts let go & not actually destroy the sensor itself, but just damage the wiring. Have a look see if that is the case, then you can just solder the wires back up & you'll be on your way in no time

Yes your right Bennoz there is in fact some wiring that a mate noticed had a bit of a nasty crimp in it. The black casing around it was still intact but it felt wrong underneath it in a certain area. It looks like a bunch of coloured wires inside that plugs into the top of the engine on the same side. Thats the best non-autoelect explanation I can give you hehe.

If you know what I'm talking about do you think that could be it? If not go outside now and unplug the same cable in your own car try start it! Anyone feel free to do so.

Ok I've had a auto mech friend come over and take a look at the car. What's happened is the lower ring thing that the powersteering belt runs along had come loose at bit and gave the belt enough lag to shred one side of it and eventually split it in half. This half of the belt hit the crank angle sensor wire and pulled it almost out of its attactment to the actual crank angle sensor itself.

So new crank angle sensor needed and a new power steering belt to replace also. Anyone know a good place to start looking for a crank angle sensor (in VIC perhaps?) and also what power steering belt does a 96 GPX take?

Again thanks heaps for all your help guys, really appreciated.

Spud thats sounds identical to what happened to me and Nortshore Mitsi posts to anywhere in Oz so good luck Mate

Thanks FTO-101, I rang Nortshore Mitsubishi this morning and ordered a new crank angle sensor. They have to import it from Japan and it's going to cost me about $200 delivered. I don't know if that is a good price or not but because the labour to fit it is free I don't really care hehe. They wanted $126 for the power-steering belt which I thought was a bit high for a piece of rubber so I'll look elsewhere for that.

Thanks again though, out of the 4 places I looked up these guys were the only ones that could help me.

Thats probably about right for the sensor... only way to go cheaper is to go second hand.

Take your shredded belt to you local auto shop & they'll be able to match it up for you Think about $30 mark.

Ah cool thanks Bennoz. Will they be able to get the width of the belt right though cos its split width ways. Or is width not an issue?

If its the front belt, then its a standard 6 rib belt

The rear belt is a 4 rib.

Ah nice, thankyou very much. You are very wise in all things FTO.

same thing happened to me just a week after i bought my car..
had it all fixed.. cost me 560..

then driving last night.. the belt just snapped.
didnt damage the crank angle sensor this time..


any idea's why the belt would just snap?

Yeh I'm keeping an eye on my belt for that very reason dB. Every few days I check it. Could be on a funny angle and wearing down one side, could be on too tight or on too loose etc.

Thank goodness it didn't get the Crank Angle Sensor again eh! Should only cost you $35 to fix this time.