Hi, my passenger seat belt suddenly started locking up for no reason, like I can’t pull it out to use it. It will occasionally extend out, but not consistently enough. Anyone else ever have this problem? Is there a fix? Thanks 
Dan
Dan
Seat Belt Locking Up
- Thread starter Dunkelgrun
- Start date
First thing to check is that the reel is securely mounted, with the locating peg in the correct position. If it is tight and located properly chances are the reel has had it.
Tony.
Tony.
Could be dust build up on recoil mechanism which can make operation erratic - more so on a less used passenger side. . Pull belt out as far as possible and spray furniture polish or silicone spray into mechanism,then pull belt back and forward and see if it frees off. Wipe off any excess on belt - don't want passenger to have a diagonal stripe 
Check that there is nothing hindering the belt. I had a problem with my drivers one when I first got my 1.9, and it turned out to be a lump of polystyrene catching the seatbelt in the turret behind the seat.
I played around with it a little more and what I found out was that if the seat belt is pulled ALL the out to the end, the mechanism makes a slight ratcheting sound when it retracts, and locks up every time, no matter where it is. The solution seems to be to remove the belt from the guide on the seat and let it retract all the way, then it operates smoothly and quietly again.
My guess is that’s exactly how it’s supposed to work, and I just never noticed that.
Or maybe the mechanism is on its way out. It is 23 years old, though it only has 73,000 miles, and the previous owner’s usual passenger seems to have been a large long haired white dog...
Anyway, it’s working again more or less, though that may change
My guess is that’s exactly how it’s supposed to work, and I just never noticed that.
Or maybe the mechanism is on its way out. It is 23 years old, though it only has 73,000 miles, and the previous owner’s usual passenger seems to have been a large long haired white dog...Anyway, it’s working again more or less, though that may change
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2020
- Points
- 29
- Model of Z
- 2001 2.5i roadster
I was having a problem with my driver belt not retracting. Turned out to be what Mazza mentioned above. A piece of insulation from the top inside of the turret had fallen down and was hindering the operation. Just tossed it in the bin and it works fine now.
usernothername
Regular Member
Agree its worth giving the belts a clean with warm soapy water and clamping them out while they dry. Synthetic material so will dry quickly
usernothername
Regular Member
P.S. I wouldn't expect mechanism to be playing up after just 73k