The serpentine belt tensioner on the 2000-2002 MR2 Spyder is known for bearing and/or spring failure, which will cause a rattle or grinding noise when the engine is running.
If the tensioner fails completely, the serpentine belt will separate from the engine, causing overheating, loss of power and air conditioning, battery drain, and illumination of the check engine and battery warning lights.
To correct the problem, the serpentine belt and belt tensioner must be replaced.
RepairPal Car Genius™ is a free resource for vehicle owners seeking advice on maintenance, auto repair, shop inquiries, estimates, and finding a trustworthy repair shop in your area.
Call us at 877-913-1554
Available 9am – 6pm ET Monday through Friday