Protege Altenator Belt
 

My grand daughter's alternator belt broke on her 2002 Mazda Protege 2.0. I went to help her and install a new belt. The problem is we keep getting the wrong belt! Got one from Auto Zone way to long. Took it back and they said that is the correct belt but its not. Then went o Oreilles same thing belt is way too long! The adjustment bracket is at the end of its throw and the last belt we got cannot be tighten to spec so loose the alternator belt slips. Is this a common problem finding the correct belt? Would the Mazda dealer be a better place to find the correct belt?

Do you have the old belt? Compare the lengths. Make sure you have it routed correctly.

You can also take the old belt to AZ and have them match it;

No I dont have the old belt. My granddaughter lost it on the freeway and shredded it so bad it took out the Crankshaft Sensor also. I had to unwind the thin belt cords wrapped around the pulleys! I'm going to head to the nearest Mazda dealer 20+ miles away and see what they have. I do have the too long belt I got from Oreilly and can use that if necessary but now thinking I will set the adjustment at the half way point and use a thin rope cord and wrap around the alternator, crank pulley and water pump to use as a measuring template. I was working on the car on side of the road in a downpour so my patience ran out fast. Car will be towed to my shop at home this Saturday.