Seatbelt fix requires new computer chip

jgombos · 02-11-2007, 10:56 PM

A 2001 Prius was in a collision. Airbags deployed, and seatbelts were locked at their current length permanently. The driver side is locked with just enough slack to fit the driver tightly, and there was no passenger, so it's locked in place and won't expand. The mechanic said the only way to unlock the seatbelts is to replace the computer chip for $2k.

I would hate to spend that much on seatbelts. What are the alternatives? Suppose I just cut the stock seatbelts out, and have some aftermarket seatbelt installed that is not controlled by a computer - is that practical?

Frank Hudon · 02-11-2007, 11:07 PM

service manual say's that once they seat belt pretensioner has been discharged the the seatbelt assy must be replaced. I can't find anything saying that the computer needs to be changed.

galaxee · 02-11-2007, 11:35 PM

the pretensioners are required to be replaced, yes. a lot of collisions cause the need for replacement of that center airbag sensor assy because it's also a collision sensor in addition to being the computer that controls the airbags.

but these guys aren't tied together. the computer is not causing the seatbelts to stay locked, most likely it's those pretensioners.

so you may get away without the computer. but this is not a guarantee that you won't. do the pretensioners first and see what you get.

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02-11-2007, 10:56 PM	#1
jgombos Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	A 2001 Prius was in a collision. Airbags deployed, and seatbelts were locked at their current length permanently. The driver side is locked with just enough slack to fit the driver tightly, and there was no passenger, so it's locked in place and won't expand. The mechanic said the only way to unlock the seatbelts is to replace the computer chip for $2k. I would hate to spend that much on seatbelts. What are the alternatives? Suppose I just cut the stock seatbelts out, and have some aftermarket seatbelt installed that is not controlled by a computer - is that practical?

02-11-2007, 11:07 PM	#2
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	service manual say's that once they seat belt pretensioner has been discharged the the seatbelt assy must be replaced. I can't find anything saying that the computer needs to be changed.

02-11-2007, 11:35 PM	#3
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	the pretensioners are required to be replaced, yes. a lot of collisions cause the need for replacement of that center airbag sensor assy because it's also a collision sensor in addition to being the computer that controls the airbags. but these guys aren't tied together. the computer is not causing the seatbelts to stay locked, most likely it's those pretensioners. so you may get away without the computer. but this is not a guarantee that you won't. do the pretensioners first and see what you get.