Serpentine Belt Diagram For 2017 Larmie Dodge 5.7 Hemi

Alright, let's dive into the serpentine belt diagram for your 2017 Ram 1500 Laramie with the 5.7L Hemi. Understanding this diagram is crucial for several reasons, from performing routine maintenance to diagnosing and fixing drive belt-related issues. Whether you're swapping out a worn belt, replacing a component like the alternator or power steering pump, or just want a better grasp of your engine's accessory drive system, this guide will give you the necessary knowledge.

Purpose of Understanding the Serpentine Belt Diagram

Why bother with a diagram? Well, the serpentine belt is responsible for powering several critical components in your engine. These include:

Alternator: Charges the battery and powers electrical systems.
Power Steering Pump: Provides hydraulic pressure for steering assistance.
Air Conditioning Compressor: Cools the cabin.
Water Pump: Circulates coolant to regulate engine temperature.

A failed or improperly routed serpentine belt can lead to a loss of these essential functions, potentially leaving you stranded or causing significant engine damage. Understanding the diagram lets you correctly route the belt during replacement, identify potential problems, and diagnose accessory failures. Consider it your roadmap to keeping your Hemi humming.

Key Specs and Main Parts

Let's break down the key components involved in your 2017 Ram 1500 Laramie 5.7L Hemi's serpentine belt system. First, you'll want to know the correct belt size. While it can vary slightly depending on specific options, a common length for the 5.7L Hemi is around 90-93 inches. Always double-check your vehicle's sticker or the parts store's recommendation based on your VIN.

Main Components:

Serpentine Belt: The main component, typically made of reinforced rubber, transmitting rotational power from the crankshaft pulley to the accessories.
Crankshaft Pulley (Harmonic Balancer): Located at the bottom of the engine, driven directly by the engine's crankshaft. It's the starting point of the power transfer.
Alternator Pulley: Attached to the alternator, allowing it to generate electricity.
Power Steering Pump Pulley: Powers the hydraulic pump for steering assist.
Air Conditioning Compressor Pulley: Engages the compressor to cool the cabin air.
Water Pump Pulley: Drives the water pump to circulate coolant.
Idler Pulley(s): Smooth, non-driven pulleys that guide the belt, providing optimal tension and preventing slippage. They change the direction of the belt path to ensure proper wrap around the driven pulleys.
Tensioner Pulley: A spring-loaded pulley that maintains the correct tension on the serpentine belt. This is crucial for efficient power transfer and preventing belt slippage or premature wear.

Understanding Diagram Symbols

The serpentine belt diagram isn't just a random jumble of lines; it's a visual representation of the belt's path and the components it interacts with. Let's decode the common symbols you'll encounter:

Solid Lines: These represent the path of the outside of the serpentine belt. Following the solid line will show you how the belt wraps around each pulley.
Dashed Lines (Sometimes): In some diagrams, dashed lines might indicate the inside of the belt, particularly where it contacts a pulley. This is less common but can be helpful for visualization.
Arrows: Indicate the direction of rotation for each pulley. This is important for understanding how the belt transfers power.
Component Icons: Each component (alternator, power steering pump, etc.) will have a simplified icon or abbreviation. These are usually labeled for easy identification. "ALT" for alternator, "P/S" for power steering, "A/C" for air conditioning, etc.
Tensioner Symbol: The tensioner is usually depicted with a spring symbol or an arrow indicating its direction of movement. This helps you locate the tensioner and understand how it applies pressure to the belt.

How It Works

The serpentine belt system operates on a simple principle: transferring rotational force from the crankshaft to various engine accessories. The engine's crankshaft spins the crankshaft pulley. The serpentine belt, routed precisely according to the diagram, wraps around this pulley. As the crankshaft pulley turns, it drives the belt, which in turn spins the pulleys of the alternator, power steering pump, AC compressor, and water pump. The tensioner pulley maintains optimal belt tension, ensuring that the belt doesn't slip and that all accessories receive adequate power. The idler pulleys simply guide the belt to make the system work. If the belt slips or isn't properly tensioned, the accessories won't function efficiently or at all.

Real-World Use: Basic Troubleshooting

Okay, so you have the diagram. How can you use it in the real world? Here are a few troubleshooting scenarios:

Squealing Noise: A common symptom of a loose or worn serpentine belt. Check the tensioner pulley to ensure it's applying adequate pressure. Inspect the belt for cracks, glazing, or missing pieces. Use the diagram to verify the belt is correctly routed, as incorrect routing can also cause slippage and noise.
Battery Not Charging: If your battery isn't charging, the alternator might not be spinning properly. Check the serpentine belt's condition and tension. Use the diagram to ensure the belt is correctly routed around the alternator pulley.
Loss of Power Steering: If your steering becomes difficult, the power steering pump might not be working. Again, check the belt's condition, tension, and routing.
Overheating: An overheating engine could be caused by a malfunctioning water pump. Verify the serpentine belt is driving the water pump pulley correctly.
Visual Inspection: Regularly inspect the belt for signs of wear, cracks, fraying, or missing chunks. Compare the belt's routing to the diagram to ensure it hasn't jumped off a pulley.
Belt Breaks: A broken belt needs immediate replacement. The diagram is crucial for correctly routing the new belt.

When replacing the belt, always release the tensioner pulley (usually by using a wrench to rotate it) to create slack. Carefully remove the old belt and install the new one, ensuring it's properly seated on all pulleys *before* releasing the tensioner. Double-check the routing against the diagram to avoid mistakes.

Safety Considerations

Working with the serpentine belt system involves potential hazards. Here are some safety tips:

Engine Off: Always work on the serpentine belt system with the engine off and the key removed from the ignition.
Hot Engine: Avoid working on the system immediately after the engine has been running, as components can be extremely hot.
Moving Parts: Never put your hands or tools near the serpentine belt while the engine is running. This is extremely dangerous and can result in serious injury. The crankshaft pulley is a particular risk, as it rotates at high speed.
Eye Protection: Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from debris.
Gloves: Wear work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges and hot surfaces.
Tensioner Spring: The tensioner pulley is spring-loaded and can snap back forcefully when released. Use caution when releasing the tensioner.

Replacing the serpentine belt is generally a straightforward job, but taking the proper precautions will ensure your safety.

Having the correct serpentine belt diagram is key to doing any work on your Ram 1500's accessory drive system. It's your go-to resource for routing, troubleshooting, and understanding the system's operation. Make sure you consult your vehicles specifications when working on your car.

We have a downloadable version of the 2017 Ram 1500 Laramie 5.7L Hemi serpentine belt diagram available. It can be accessed [link to diagram - REMOVED for safety]. Keep it handy for all your maintenance and repair needs.