I have a 2004 honda accord and am having a little trouble with it. I am trying to narrow the problem down but need a little help. When driving in wet conditions at times I will get a little squeal, and the check battery light is coming on, and I am losing power steering. I am figuring that maybe my belt is getting wet and slipping?? but I am no mechanic for sure. If anyone has any other ideas or suggestions on how to fix this problem your help would be greatly appreciated.

 

If you were going to replace spark plugs, how many would you buy?

 

I would probably have trouble finding them to replace them. lol

 

He meant 4 cyl or 6 cyl.

 

It is a 4cyl. honda accord with about 65000 miles on it

 

In that case, my next question has to be...
Are you interested in learning how to fix it yourself? If you're gonna take it to a shop, then our answers for you should probably be phrased a bit differently.

The drive belt (that turns the alternator & power-steering pump) has a spring-loaded tensioner, so it won't just be a simple case of being too loose. If the belt is getting wet & slippery, that probably means it's getting hardened & slippery with age & heat. Time for a new belt.

 

I would like to fix it myself if it's not to big of a job. I've changed altenators out on older cheverolets before, but I've never really worked on newer models.

 

The spring-loaded tensioner assembly is #4. First thing you have to do is make yourself a real good sketch of which way the belt runs around each pulley. It can be confusing after you get the old belt off...

The bolt #7 goes thru the tensioner pulley. Put a wrench on that bolt, hook another wrench onto that to make a REALLY long-handled wrench. Pull that wrench towards the front of the car, which is in the direction of tightening the bolt. What'll happen is the tensioner arm will swing, making slack in the belt. Slip the belt off the tensioner pulley.

There's not much room between the pulleys & the car structure. (You'll want to have long skinny hands...) You may find it helps to remove the power-steering fluid reservoir bracket & push the reservoir over to make more room.

Remove the old belt, put the new belt on, & work the tensioner spring the same way to get the belt onto the last pulley.

 

Ok. I have same car, same problem. If I were to go to a shop, about how much is this going to cost? That is, a new belt plus labor, etc.