The serpentine belt on my girlfriends 1998 Chevy ...

Does the vehicle do anything when you turn the key? Does the security light on the dash come on?

I think I can hear the starter trying to turn, also the check engine light does stay on, but the car was driven for at least a few minutes after the belt broke, but it didn't make any strange noises or anything like that.

Okay, so when you turn the key to try and start the vehicle you hear maybe a click or some kind of noise from under the hood?

Yes I can hear a noise coming from under the hood when I turn the key

The first thing you need to do is see where that noise is coming from. See if it is the starter actually trying to turn or if there is just an electrical relay making noise. After the belt broke do you know if the engine got hot at all? Also what about the security light? Will it turn off if you turn the key on?

It is the starter trying to turn. I don't think the engine got that hot it was only driven for maybe five minutes and it was a pretty cool day. The check engine light stays on when the key is turned.

If the starter will not turn the engine then you may want to do one of two things. The battery may be completely dead and just will no provide enough power to start the car or the engine may have a problem. If possible, get a ratchet and socket on the crank pulley and see if you can turn the engine by hand.

I can't get a socket on it there isn't enough room. I got a wrench on it, but I don't have a jack with me so I can't get it up in the air to get any torque on it. It should take at least a fair amount of pressure to get it to turn right?

It should take some pressure. But it shouldn't take all of your might. Do you happen to have a volt meter or any kind of digital electrical tester?

I don't have anything like that with me, i'm in college and I don't have anywhere to put any of my tools here. I think the only thing I have here is a circuit tester. There is a couple of parts stores in the area, should i try pulling out the battery and seeing if they can test it for me?

Yes, since there is no way to test it there lets start with that as it is the easiest part to get to. It is very possible it is just the battery since the car was driven without the alternator running.

Okay, I'll try that in the morning most everything here is going to be closed already. Do you mind if I get ahold of you again tomorrow and let you know whether or not it works? I will make sure you get paid then. If that is alright with you of course, if not I can just hit the accept button now.

Let me know after you get it checked out. We will get this figured out one way or another. Do not worry about the accept until you feel like the job is done. I will talk with you tommorrow.

Well I took the battery in and had it tested earlier this morning. They said it was fine. I was thinking that maybe I should take the starter in and have it tested. What do you think?

One thing I would double check is the belt. If possible pull it off and make sure all of the accesory pullies will turn by hand if you haven't already done that. As for the starter, see if you can loosen it and pull it out of the bell housing while it is still connected then see if it turns when you try and start it. If this isn't possible then yes you should pull it out and have it tested.

I will check both of those and get back to you, I won't be able to get to it until at least tomorrow though.

Not a problem. Just let me know when you get to it.