The seat belt does not retract well, what should I do?

It is sometimes believed that the main safety in a car is provided by airbags, however, this is not the case. Airbags help avoid injuries, but only seat belts can save lives. But if no one in their right mind would turn off the airbags, then it is not always possible to force them to use the belts correctly.

To automate the tension, winding (reel) and locking (inertial) mechanisms were introduced into the design. Additionally, emergency tension devices with squibs are installed.

Seat belt does not extend

Any mechanism in a car can sooner or later fail and cause trouble for the driver. Sometimes this is not noticeable, but sometimes it immediately causes inconvenience. For example, this happens with seat belts. They serve to protect the driver and passengers from dangerous movements during an accident or sudden braking, thereby preventing injury. This device was invented a long time ago, and throughout its use it has saved many people’s lives. A non-functional seat belt must be urgently replaced or repaired, as driving with it is dangerous. Moreover, this is a violation of the Traffic Rules. When the seat belt does not extend, the problem can be solved using simple DIY methods.

Popular faults

There are several main problems associated with domestic “ten” belts:

The belt is jammed. Moreover, this can happen even with gradual, slow pulling of the device.
The belt comes out of its seat tightly when it freezes.
The lock does not hold the device.
The reel slowly pulls out the strap.
The reel cannot properly secure the strap, etc.

There may be more problems, the most common of which is mechanical damage to the tape.

IMPORTANT.

There are international rules and state standards that relate directly to seat belts. They say that trying to fix the breakdown of this unit yourself is strictly prohibited. Any intervention in the design without the knowledge of official service centers entails not only the removal of responsibility from the manufacturer.

If the mechanism is not repaired correctly, it can lead to injury in accidents because the device no longer works properly after the intervention.

Shoot carefully

It is also worth noting that some locks, belt retractors and other system components are designed in such a way that the car owner cannot put them back together after disassembly. The only possible option is blowing with compressed air.

All operations related to seat belt repair are carried out solely at your own peril and risk. No one will be responsible for the consequences. Repair instructions exist, but before using it, think carefully about whether it is worth attempting to repair this unit yourself.

Main causes of failure

If the seat belt in your car does not extend, it means it is jammed. To fix the problem, you need to understand how the mechanism works. Most likely the blocker has failed. Inside there is a sensitive element that performs blocking and is made in the form of a ball. It moves with levers and engages with gears. If it retracts quickly, the flywheel exerts more force on the screw surface and blocks the ball.

When the lock jams, even slowly pulling the belt does not help. Let's look at the possible causes of breakdowns.

Most often, the belt does not extend due to excessive wear and tear on the locking system. This is due to failure due to wear of some parts of the mechanism. It’s good if such a malfunction is detected only when the driver is fastening it. It is more dangerous if the coil jams while the car is moving.
The device is blocked due to a traffic accident. The design of the blocking device is made in such a way that if there is a strong impact, the squibs that are installed on some car models can be triggered. In this case, the lock is completely jammed and there is no way to unlock it.
Breakage of some parts. There is only one way out - replace the defective parts or the assembled mechanism.

The driver may receive a signal that the seat belt is faulty. The type of signal depends on the vehicle model: in the form of a burning light or sound.

Coil problem

Modern seat belts are equipped with a special reel on which the belt is wound. It has a complex device that allows you to block the belt from being pulled out during a sudden jerk or a road accident. A problem may arise with such a reel if parts wear out, dirt gets in, starts to jam, or parts break.

In such cases, it is necessary to take immediate action, as this puts the driver and passengers in danger while driving. You can fix the problem yourself if you follow certain recommendations, which will be discussed in the following sections. But how can you check that the coil is working properly and that there are no problems before driving the car? There are methods for this.

Design and operating principle

The design of the protective device in question is represented by a retractor reel, a lock and a tape. High-strength material is used to make the tape; this element is fixed to the body in several zones as follows:

in the area of special traction with a lock;
on the counter;
in the threshold area.

The main purpose of the lock, in turn, is to lock the belt. This element is located near the seat. A movable tongue made of durable metal simplifies the operation of the belt; it is located directly on the belt. You can find a retractor coil on the car body pillar. Its purpose is to forcefully wind and unwind the tape. The design of the retractor reel provides for the presence of an inertial locking mechanism, due to which, in the event of a sudden stop, the movement of the belt is stopped and the person remains in a fixed position, not being able to go into free flight through the windshield.

The principle of operation is nothing complicated: the action of a coil with a blocker is based on a gear mechanism that rotates it. The closing of this mechanism occurs through a pendulum; it can have a ball or spheroid support with a lever system.

Smooth unwinding of the tape promotes rotation of the support along with the reel gear, while sudden tension leads to blocking of the flywheel.

Diagnostic methods

Let's look at the procedure and methods for checking the condition of seat belts. For example, let's look at how to carry out diagnostics on a Ford Focus car.

Insufficient belt retraction

If the belt does not retract well, check how the decorative covers are installed to make sure they are not touching the belt tape. Also check to see if the belt is rubbing against the retractor. If this is the case, then loosen the fastening bolt and align the device so that the tape is in the middle.

Most cars have 2 front and 3 rear retractable seat belts. They are equipped with double protection by sensitive elements.

Vehicle motion sensor – blocks the belt during braking, sharp turns, descents, and ascents.
Belt movement sensor – blocks it when pulled sharply.

These systems must function properly. To check them, special control methods are used.

How to check a car motion sensor

There are two ways to test this sensor.

First way

This will require the participation of two people. The first way is to slow down. During the inspection, people in the vehicle must not interfere with the operation of the seat belts.

Choose a flat section of road with good visibility.
The driver must sit in a comfortable position with the seat belt fastened and correctly adjusted.
Drive no faster than 10 km per hour.
Brake sharply to stop the car. If the locking is working properly, the belt will lock.
The check is performed twice for the front and rear seats.

A belt retractor device that is not capable of restraining a person must not be used.

Second way

To do this, you need a flat road with a circular motion so that the car's steering wheel is in the extreme position.

The driver is wearing a seat belt.
The passenger sits in the back seat and also buckles up.
Start the engine, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and drive at a speed of 16 km per hour.
When the passenger tries to slowly pull out the belt, it should lock.

If any of the belts can be pulled out, then they cannot be used.

How to check the elements of the locking mechanism

The car must be stationary on a horizontal, level road. Grab the seat belt and try to pull it sharply. The lock should engage after 25 cm of extension. Otherwise, such a belt must not be used. Such a simple check allows diagnostics to identify faults and replace worn belts with new ones.

How to repair

After finding out the reasons for the malfunction of the seat belt reel, we will figure out how to repair it and what is needed for this. In this procedure, the main thing is to thoroughly clean the belts.

Required Tools

To resolve a malfunction of the seat belt buckle, the device will need to be cleaned. This will require certain tools and accessories.

Short shaped screwdriver.
A 17 mm wrench is better than a socket type.
Flathead screwdriver.
Clothes pin for office work.
A syringe with a thin tube.
Gasoline for lighters.
A piece of polyethylene to protect the seats from dirt.
A piece of steel wire.

Step-by-step instruction

After preparing the instrument, you can begin repairs and cleaning in the following order:

Using a curved screwdriver, unscrew the screws that secure the decorative trim of the belt.
If the lock is faulty, pull the belt all the way out and secure it with a clothespin.
Using a wrench, unscrew the coil mounting bolt and pull it out. To prevent the device from winding up, secure it with the same clothespin. This will make the lock easier to clean and repair.
Put the device down and sit somewhere else. To clean and disable the lock, you need to find the inertia coil cover. It can be detected by thicker metal. Shake the coil - the cap will be located where the noise is heard.
To remove the protective cover, you need to pull out the 4 plastic clips. This can be conveniently done with a flat screwdriver or thin wire. The clips must be held with your hand so that they do not jump out and get lost in the cabin. Next, hook the trim with a screwdriver and remove it, setting it aside.
After this, the locking device becomes available. It is made in the form of a box containing a cylinder and a ball, as well as a rocker arm that locks the lock. The device can be easily removed.
Check the operation of the locking rocker - ideally, it should move easily along the axis of rotation. The mechanism must be placed vertically so that the upper part is inclined towards the blocking ball. If the vertical position is not maintained, the rocker arm will jam. It should move easily, otherwise the rotation axis needs to be cleaned. To do this, use prepared lighter gasoline. Rinse the mechanism with it so that the rocker rotates easily on the axis without delay.
Now you need to get to the inertial mechanism. It is located under the plastic gear, and itself is made of steel. Remove the gear and set it aside.
Look at the middle of the gear hole - there is an eccentric in it. When the seat belt is pulled out suddenly, the teeth block it. The place under the eccentric needs to be cleaned; to do this, pour gasoline into the hole. Hold the belt with your hand to prevent it from unwinding. To do this, temporarily remove the clothespin. Make sure that gasoline seeps into all parts to ensure proper cleaning.
Take the removed inertial coil so that the plastic guide with the spring can be held with your finger. Try wrapping and rewinding the safety tape several times with your other hand. Pull it sharply and the lock should be activated.

What does a jammed belt mean?

If the seat belt does not pull out of the installation socket, it is most likely jammed. To understand what this means, you first need to understand how it works. When the belt does not extend, this indicates a failure of the locking mechanism or that the belts were jammed as a result of an accident. But first, let's look at the principle of operation.

Vehicle seat belt

Inside the blocking device there is a sensitive element responsible directly for blocking, which is made in the form of a ball. This ball, moving through a system of levers, clings to the body of the coil gear. If the belt is retracted too quickly, the spool disc puts more force on the screw surface, thus blocking the ball.

If the lock is jammed and cannot be turned off, this means that over time the security mechanism has begun to function incorrectly.

In such cases, the strap does not retract and cannot be turned off in any way. In such cases, even an attempt to slowly latch the element may not help - it simply jams and no longer retracts, does not work.

If your vehicle's security system won't retract, or the lock is stuck and cannot be disengaged, there could be several reasons for this. Before we move on to how to disassemble and disconnect a belt that does not work and does not retract, let's talk about the reasons. There are not many of them, so we will not dwell on this point for long. After all, in order to repair the latch of an unfastened strap, you need to know what is not working and why. So, the reasons:

First of all, the belt usually does not retract due to wear. Or rather, not specifically the wear of the belt, but in principle the locking system. Also, this may not be related to the entire system, but to one of its components. If the buckle of an unfastened strap is jammed, does not retract, and you cannot disengage it, then, without a doubt, the problem is in the mechanism. But if the element was not fastened, that’s half the trouble. It will be much worse if it jams during operation.
The second reason is the breakdown of one or another component. As a rule, it concerns not an unfastened belt, but a fastened one. If a breakdown occurs or a defect appears in the operation of one of the components, this is usually associated directly with the fastened structural elements of the system. In this case, only repairs will help you and nothing more. Or, of course, you can always replace failed parts.
Another reason is blocking after an accident. Typically, the design of the strap is made in such a way that in the event of a traffic accident, the squibs of the mechanism are activated. In this case, the lock of the device jams and it is no longer possible to disable it.

Depending on the car model, the driver may receive a signal that the straps are stuck. This signal can be either audible or appear on the instrument panel. The signal may also appear on the on-board computer screen, if available. In any case, if the car is equipped with “brains”, the driver will receive a corresponding signal.

One more point regarding signals. The driver's warning may look different. The signal may be in the form of a loud click, which is not typical for a security system. The motorist will hear this signal even when driving with loud music. As you understand, such a signal also indicates that the belt needs to be cleaned.

Second option: rack and pinion

If the seat belts were deployed during an accident and are now locked, you can loosen and unlock them using a special device - a rack:

Remove the mechanism and carefully disassemble the belt tensioner. Secure the spring element in place so that it does not unwind during work.
The squib device is being disassembled. After this you can see the rack. Its further use is impractical, since it is already broken. To restore working condition, install a new part that you purchased in advance. Gear racks can be of different types; buy the one that is designed for a specific car model.
After removing the gear mechanism, you will see dirt and debris on the inside. These are products of wear and tear on the plastic components of the device. Remove dirt.
Reassembling the mechanism is carried out in the reverse order. If the spring element is strongly unwound, then the seat belt is wound by hand. After this, the spring is mounted on the seat.

Using the Toyota Rav4 as an example, user zhenya0164Wende suggests familiarizing yourself with the process of unlocking the seat belt.

Naturally, if the belt is stuck, it is best to turn to professionals. But, if you don’t have enough money, but have a lot of free time, and also if you want to learn something new, you can perform this operation yourself. There are several options that we will now share with you.

Squib with bushing

First, you need to remove the entire seat belt mechanism. In most cases this does not cause problems. Although in certain cars, to dismantle this device you will have to remove the front wheels.
Now we are looking for access to the squib (it is the one that blocks the entire system).
With the mechanism in hand, look for the spring. Carefully unscrew all the bolts to remove it (sometimes it may fly out).
Next, remove the belt and, without twisting it, set it aside.
Afterwards you will see the squib shell, which needs to be removed from the belt (use an asterisk key for this purpose).
The next step: you need to remove the cover of the device (it can be fixed not only with bolts, but also with sealant). In this case, we recommend using a stationery knife.
In front of you will be a nylon bushing with six copper scraps (they are the ones that block the belt).
These pieces need to be removed. Do not touch the bushing while doing this.
Reinstall the squib and screw this device into the mechanism body. It is important that before installing it in place, tighten the belt with your own hands - a few circles will be enough. Why do this? After such manipulations, the spring will weaken slightly.
Place the spring in its place and secure it.
The work is completed. If the strap still does not work, it will have to be replaced.

Rack

Using a ribbed strip, it will be possible to unlock the belts if they are jammed after a traffic accident.

Remove the mechanism, and then disassemble the tensioning device.
Disassemble the squib.
Next you will see a gear rack (they are already broken, remove it and replace it with a new one).
Your next steps: after dismantling the gear, you will notice a lot of debris and dirt - they need to be removed.
Reassemble in the reverse order of disassembly.

Repair process

Now that we have dealt with the signals and reasons for blocking a fastened and unfastened seat belt, let’s move on to the repair process. Cleaning seat belts is one of the main tasks in this process, so we will consider this procedure separately. So, what should you do if you receive a signal that the lock is jammed? How can I clean it or turn it off? You will learn more about this below.

Tools

To disable the lock if a corresponding signal appears, the entire mechanism will need to be cleaned. To do this, you need to thoroughly prepare in advance and collect all the necessary tools. so what to prepare:

a Phillips screwdriver, preferably a short one;
flat head screwdriver;
a wrench set to “17”, it will be more convenient to use a socket wrench;
stationery pin;
syringe with tube;
some gasoline (lighter fuel is ideal).

Step by step instructions

When the entire list of tools is ready, you can begin repairing and cleaning.

Using a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the screws that secure the strap protection.
If the lock is not working, pull the strap out to its full length and secure it with a clothespin.
Take a wrench and remove the screw that secures the element coil. The screw must be removed from its installation location. To prevent the element from starting to unwind, you can attach it directly to the same spool using the same clothespin. In any case, in order to disable and clean the lock, it must be locked to make further actions easier.
Put the reel aside and sit in the next seat. To disable and clean the lock, you will need to find the lid behind which the inertial device is hidden. As a rule, it is slightly thicker in design. Shake the coil - under which cover you hear the noise - under that one it is located.
Now to dismantle the protective cover you will need to remove four plastic pistons. This can be done using a slotted screwdriver or a thin knitting needle. The pistons should be supported by hand so that they do not fly out and you do not have to look for them and collect them throughout the cabin. Then pry up the cover with a screwdriver and remove it. Set the lid aside.
Your view will now be presented with the first mechanism of the component. It is a kind of box with a cylinder and thus a locking ball and a so-called rocker inside, which jams the lock. This mechanism can be dismantled freely from the installation site.
Check the functionality of this rocker - ideally it should move freely along the axis of rotation. This device should be positioned vertically with the top angled toward the locking ball. One way or another, the rocker arm must be positioned vertically so that it does not jam. If you feel that the so-called rocker arm does not move freely, then you need to clean its rotation axis. Pour some gasoline and rinse the device until it rotates freely on the axis, without the slightest jamming.
Now let's move on to the second, inertial device. It is located under the gear, which is made of plastic and in most cases is made of steel. The gear comes off freely, so remove it.
Note the center of the serrated hole. It contains an eccentric with teeth. It is these teeth that jam the strap when it is suddenly pulled out. The space under this very eccentric needs to be cleaned. Pour a little prepared gasoline around the entire perimeter of the hole, add a little fuel to the center. At the same time, hold the strap, preventing it from winding up, for which you can temporarily remove the clothespin. Make sure that the liquid gets into all parts of the element, otherwise cleaning it will be useless.
Take the dismantled spool with one hand so that the plastic guide along with the spring can be supported with one finger. Using your other hand, pull and wrap the safety element several times. Also pull it a few times until the device itself engages. Next, hook it on the reel one more time. These steps should be repeated several times.

The seat belt does not extend - what to do? DIY seat belt repair

The seat belt is a mandatory element of the car interior. It is designed to reduce the likelihood of injury during an accident. Traffic regulations indicate that the use of this device is mandatory. Therefore, if the seat belt breaks for some reason, it must be repaired urgently. This can be done with your own hands.

If the seat belt does not extend, there are a number of actions you can take to help quickly solve this problem. Experienced auto mechanics are ready to give some advice on how to properly fix the breakdown. In this case, you will be able to avoid visiting a car service center and additional costs.

FAQ

Is it necessary to use a seat belt?

Yes, by law. Otherwise, you face a fine of 1000 rubles.

How many drivers actually use seat belts?

Despite what was said earlier, according to statistics, slightly less than half. But it is not recommended to risk your health and have the possibility of getting a fine.

What is the price for repair or restoration?

Small. Rarely more than a few hundred, at most thousands of rubles.

Seat belt device

If the belt does not come out of its slot, it is most likely jammed. To fix the problem, you need to understand the principle of this element of the car. With such a breakdown, there is a high probability that it is the locking mechanism that is not working correctly. Sometimes the belt may not stretch after an accident. There is a special technology for eliminating such breakdowns.

First of all, you should understand the seat belt design. There is a special element inside the locking mechanism that is responsible for fixation. It looks like a ball that moves through levers. At the same time, it clings to the gears of the coils.

The seat belt latch reacts when it is pulled out too quickly, blocking the ball. It is in this system that problems may appear over time. In this case, the belt may not stretch or, conversely, may remain locked in the fastened position.

Design and operating principle

in the area of special traction with a lock;
on the counter;
in the threshold area.

Smooth unwinding of the tape promotes rotation of the support along with the reel gear, while sudden tension leads to blocking of the flywheel.

Causes of the problem

There are several main reasons why a seat belt does not extend. First of all, it should be noted the banal wear and tear of the system. Moreover, this may only apply to one of its elements; for example, seat belt pretensioners or a locking device may fail due to wear. The roller mechanism may also wear out.

Adverse weather conditions also provoke such malfunctions. Severe frost can cause this phenomenon.

Sometimes seat belt pretensioners fail after an accident. This may cause the coil lock or the entire main mechanism to break. After an accident, in many vehicles the belt may not retract back into its intended location at all. This is due to the activation of the system's squibs.

If the car is involved in an accident, even with smooth pulling, the mechanism may jam. Then you will have to look for the cause of the breakdown and eliminate it.

Operating rules

The procedure for proper operation of the protective accessory in question is regulated by the following rules:

The shoulder part of the tape must go over the chest and shoulder; it is forbidden to thread it through other parts of the body, even if it causes inconvenience.
When the seat back is positioned vertically, maximum protection is achieved when using a seat belt. Leaning the seat back increases the risk of a person slipping under the belt. Under these circumstances, a head-on collision will result in the passenger striking the instrument panel.
One seat belt is designed for one passenger; two people are not allowed to wear it together.
It is forbidden to drive with a child in your arms with a seat belt fastened. In this case, the accessory not only does not protect the adult passenger, but can also cause injury to the child in the event of an accident. The child must have a separate seat belt or child seat.
It is prohibited to add or change the design of the device in question in order to weaken the tension or block the tightening of the belt.
Make sure that the tape fits against your body and does not twist.
If the child's height allows him to be fastened correctly, the use of a belt is mandatory. If the child is too small, a child car seat should be used.
The waist part of the tape should be adjacent to the area above the hips.
Adjust the mechanism to ensure a snug fit of the tape to your body.

A seat belt malfunction may be caused by the following reasons:

blocking as a result of an accident occurs due to the activation of the mechanism’s squibs;
the seat belt buckle is damaged due to a breakdown of its main mechanism;
the roller mechanism is subject to wear;
influence of negative temperatures;
wear of the locking system or one of its elements.

What will be required for repairs?

For the reasons mentioned above, sometimes the seat belt does not extend. What to do ? Advice from experienced auto mechanics will help. First of all, you will have to disassemble the casing and remove the coil. In some models, you will have to dismantle the seats in the place where the breakdown occurred.

To do this, you need to prepare screwdrivers (flat and Phillips), as well as spanners. Their diameter should be different. You should also purchase a multi-purpose lubricant. The seats must be protected from accidental contact with oil. You will also need napkins and wire.

Repairs can be simple or more complex. In some cases, you have to completely change the coil. For some machine models, you will need to prepare special tools. But repairing a seat belt yourself will help save quite a lot of money in the family budget.

Features of penalties

If a traffic police officer finds an unbelted passenger in the car, he will issue a double fine. The driver will also suffer the same fate and will be fined RUB 1,000. Why, you ask, since the motorist is not to blame? In fact, law enforcement officials do not think so.

According to the law, it is the responsibility of the car owner (driver) to monitor the condition of the car, including its internal systems, and timely replacement of the seat belt. The driver can make payment within 20 days, in which case the fine will also cost him 500 rubles

Particular attention should be paid to small passengers and restraints for their safe trip.

How to disassemble the system?

If the seat belt does not extend, you need to properly disassemble the system. On the lower trim of the door pillar (middle), 4 bolts are unscrewed. Next, the cover is carefully removed.

You need to prepare a paper clip. Now you can remove the belt. It is fixed to a special eyelet using a paper clip. After this, you can unscrew the bolt that holds the coil. To prevent the belt from twisting, it is secured with the same paper clip.

The coil can be easily removed. The locking mechanism is located on the side where the ball will ring. You can shake the device and easily determine the correct direction. The 4 pistons are unscrewed and the cover is removed in a horizontal position. This way you can get to the ratchet.

Sequence

the front seats are moved forward as much as possible, the seat backs are also tilted forward and access to the coil mount is opened; the coil is dismantled; the belt is fully extended and the side of the blocker placement is determined by the presence of a plastic square; Important: an error with the determination will lead to disassembly of the coil from the spring side, which can severely cut your face and hands! by pulling out the four pistons, the housing cover is removed in a horizontal position; the coil is disassembled and access to the ratchet is opened; old thickened grease is removed from all moving parts; The reel mechanism is filled with frost-resistant lubricant, for example,

Effect of frost

Sometimes the seat belt latch may not work due to extreme cold. This will not require changing any parts. In some older vehicles, the insulation of the mechanism may not be sufficient. This causes the belt to jam.

In this case, the oil that lubricates the system becomes thicker in the cold. You will have to disassemble the coil and lubricate its elements with a special substance. It must be frost resistant. This, for example, could be silicone grease or lithol.

In some cases, the situation can be corrected by bending the metal “claw” of the ball mechanism at a smaller angle. When the coil is positioned vertically, the retainer should not come into contact with the gear teeth. This should only happen when the bobbin is tilted.

Replacing the coil

In some cases, do-it-yourself seat belt repair requires completely replacing the reel. If after these steps the tape still does not come out of the reel, this action most likely cannot be avoided.

Typical signs when the coil should be replaced are the absence of changes after cleaning this system. If, after taking it out and lubricating it with a new substance, as well as bending the metal tab, the belt still does not come out, you need to purchase a new mechanism.

For each brand of car it is necessary to select its own special type of device. Therefore, it is necessary to show the old reel in the store. This will allow you to choose the right mechanism.

Diagnostic device

If the seat belt does not extend, a high-quality auto scanner can show the cause of the breakdown. Experts recommend purchasing high-quality devices from trusted manufacturers. This will allow you to accurately determine the cause of the presented breakdown.

In addition, the auto scanner will be able to detect many other faults. Moreover, the program can be installed on a smartphone. The use of such devices will save money. There is no need to visit specialized services and perform expensive maintenance.

Having examined why the seat belt does not extend, you can replace or repair the mechanism yourself. In this case, you will not need to visit a service center and pay for expensive repairs of the presented system.