1992 Saturn SL1 belt tensioner

Just take a wrench and put it on the tensioner you will be able to tell if it is weak.From what you describe sound's like a bad tensioner.Let me know what you find.

yes it was the tensioner, i put a new one on and that works fine now.BUT now there is a loud knocking noise when the a/c is on but only when the car is in park or reverse, i think that something overheated and may have broken inside the cam?? any help would be great!! thanx

I doubt your cam is broken if it was your engine would be makng noise all the time.If it will make noise when in park with the a/c on then go under the hood and see if the tenisor is moving around.With the a/c on car in park go under the hood and rev up the engine and see if it knocks when you rev it up.I have tried aftermarket belt tenisor's and most of them knock when you excellerate.I have tried like Four differnt brands with the same result's.If it is the tenisor knocking let me know so I can recomend a tenisor to you.