# Trouble in the Rain

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/trouble-in-the-rain/33325>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chrysler\
**Created:** [July 13, 2009, 3:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trouble-in-the-rain/33325 "2009-07-13T15:35:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![potterave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b5e925/32.png) [@potterave](https://community.cartalk.com/u/potterave)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 3:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trouble-in-the-rain/33325/1 "2009-07-13T15:35:59Z")

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Need advice. In a heavy rain, my car often exhibits these problems:  
  
 – heavy steering (as if the power steering is gone)  
  
 – defroster/air conditioner stops working  
  
 – water temperature spikes  
  
 It’s as though all the pumps and compressors have stopped working. Things return to normal if I pull over if the problem happens when I’m driving or wait a few minutes if I’m just getting started. Obviously, when it happens while I’m driving in a heavy rain, it’s dangerous. My car is a senior citizen with over 224K miles.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trouble-in-the-rain/33325/2 "2009-07-13T15:45:30Z")

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It sounds to me like the accessory drive belts (or the serpentine belt if that’s what your vehicle has) are loose and slipping. Rain water acts like a lubricant on the belt (s). When the belt(s) slip the PS pump, AC compressor, etc, do, indeed, stop working.

Do you ever hear a belt squealing upon start-up?

New belts, properly tensioned, may solve this.

If there are any missing splash shields their absence will exacerbate the problem.

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**Author:** ![potterave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b5e925/32.png) [@potterave](https://community.cartalk.com/u/potterave)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trouble-in-the-rain/33325/3 "2009-07-13T15:56:13Z")

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Thanks for the advice regarding the belt. No, never heard any belt squealing. I’ll look into the splash shields.