Seatbelt troubleshooting

[Zoo Mob]

So, my driver side belt quit working recently. It froze once for a second, and then worked again for a number of months. It has now been frozen in the down position, and I just don't feel safe driving it anymore. Where should I begin with the troubleshooting process? Are problems such as this typically easily fixed? Thanks in advance.

[evolutionmovement]

When it froze first, was the seatbelt in tension? I had mine get jammed up once because the tensioner grabbed the belt, which stopped the mouse. Unclipping fixed it, but it's probably possible for that to damage it. Otherwise, just try to check the wires going to it and the track for anything that could be causing a jam. Worst case, you can use an allen wrench (provided under the arm rest lid) to move it into the secured position and latch and unlatch the belt by hand when entering/exiting.

[Zoo Mob]

It was not under tension when it froze. I'll try to look around at the wiring either when it warms up around here, or when I have access to a garage. How exactly do you adjust it with the allen wrench?

[evolutionmovement]

There's a bolt on the mouse somewhere. IIRC, it's on the underside (facing the ground when the mouse is stuck mid-track), and when you turn it, the mouse travels one way or the other, depending on which way you turn it.

[Mattheww044]

if your passenger one doesn't work either, you can try replacing the computer. I got mine at a junkyard for $3. its located in the trunk right under the drivers side speaker, next to the power antenna motor. Mine both were acting really wierd, then eventually quit working. I replaced that and now they both work perfectly.

[brweber352]

LOL, so that's what that computer is!

[Legacy777]

You do know you can manually turn the motor so the seat belt is in the back latched position...

At least it'll actually work, you just will have to unclick it.

[Mattheww044]

haha that would have been nice to know! haha, I rode around with my shoulder belt unlatched for a week or two, until I replaced that "computer". I got lucky and ended up getting 2 just in case, and one didnt work haha, but thankfully the second one did. Anyways Zoo Mob, if your at the junkyard, might as well pick up a "computer" cheap, and super easy to do its worth a try.

[Zoo Mob]

Well, I tried the allen wrench trick to no avail, the motor seems frozen, and I could not get it to budge an inch. Am I correct in suspecting the motor to be the culprit, and what is involved in replacement?

[evolutionmovement]

Thanks for clarifying what I wrote, Josh! Nobody listens to me. You know, I could burn this place down. Then they took my stapler...

[Mattheww044]

i wasn't quite sure what you were talking about when you said "mouse" haha. Zoo, are both seatbelts messed up or just one?

[Zoo Mob]

The passenger side works fine. Thoughts on how to proceed?

[Lunatech]

Thanks for clarifying what I wrote, Josh! Nobody listens to me. You know, I could burn this place down. Then they took my stapler...

I feel your pain brother! I loved that stapler

Maybe the cable is stuck?

[Legacy777]

Zoo Mob, I've got the motor and stuff from my car. I did end up cutting the wire, but think you should be able to swap the motor by itself.

If you want them, you can have both the driver and pass. sides for cost of shipping.

Let me know.

[Zoo Mob]

I might be into those parts, thanks for the offer. What's the best way to determine whether the problem lies with the motor or the wire? Anyone have a pdf of this part of the manual?

[Legacy777]

Here's some scans from the FSM

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... _diag1.jpg
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... _diag2.jpg

I would try testing resistance on things between both sides and look for differences.

[Mattheww044]

now im confused, because both of mine quit working, so i swapped the "computers". They both worked fine for a few days. Now the passenger one doesnt work at all, but the driver one works flawlessly....

[Legacy777]

Hmmm....that sounds weird.

[Mattheww044]

yea, to say the least. I might try and get another computer from the junkyard next time i out there. they are only 3$ so id rather do that then go through the whole process of looking up the codes and stuff unless its necessary, it seems like a huge PITA

[Zoo Mob]

So, I finally pulled the trim off from the floor up to about shoulder height revealing the motor and some of the other stuff. When the car is running and the door closes, the motor tries to pull the belt back and it does tension it and take out what little slack there is in the cable, but the actual slider does not move from the door open position. Any experience freeing up a jam or fixing whatever else might be my issue?

[sga32]

Mattheww044: Mine was just the computer. When I bought it, niether one had worked for quite a while, I was told.. I swapped the computer with one from the junkyard and they both work perfectly!

Since you swapped the computer and they worked for a while, then one quit again, I'd try another computer swap....It was a junkyard part.....you never know.

[Zoo Mob]

I think you've got me mixed up with someone else, I've not done the computer swap, and it doesn't seem like that that's the likely cause if the motor is trying to tension the belt every time the door closes. Anyone else have experience with the cable etc.?

[sga32]

Mattheww044 posted on here as well. I was just responding to him, that's all.

[Mattheww044]

yea, he put "Mattheww044:".

but yes, I think I will try that. I actually bought 2 at first, one didnt work at all, and then the other fixed both of them for a few days. As stated above the passenger one went out again so I don't mine spending 3" on another computer to see if that works, rather than tracking down the motor and wiring and all that jazz

[Zoo Mob]

Oh, sorry. Any help on the cable anyone?