On a 1996 Chevy Cavalier where is the tension release located and what does it look like?

On a 1996 Chevy Cavalier, the serpentine belt tensioner is located on the front of the engine, near the bottom. It's generally accessible from the front of the car.

It doesn't have a separate "tension release." The tensioner itself is a device that you have to manipulate to relieve tension on the belt.

What it looks like:

The tensioner will be a cylindrical or somewhat rectangular unit with a spring inside. It will have:

* A pulley: The belt runs around this pulley.

* A pivot point: This is where the tensioner is mounted to the engine.

* A lever arm or mechanism: This is what you'll need to either rotate (using a wrench or pulley tool designed for this purpose) or push (sometimes with a long wrench or specialized tool) to release tension on the belt. This arm allows the pulley to move, thereby slackening the belt. This arm might have a hole for a wrench, or a different type of access point to facilitate moving the mechanism.

It's best to consult a repair manual specific to your 1996 Chevy Cavalier year and engine for exact location and instructions on how to access the tensioner and remove the belt. Trying to do this without seeing what you're doing can cause damage or injury. Pictures in a repair manual will be highly beneficial.