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Sticking Seatbelt

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by our1vue, Jun 18, 2015.

  1. our1vue

    our1vue Member

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    Lately when I get in the car, I can't pull the seatbelt out. It is like the ratchet that stops the seatbelt from
    unwinding in an accident is stuck on. If I pull on the seatbelt a few times, it releases and then I can pull
    out the seatbelt and put it on. It doesn't happen all the time, so I don't know if a dealer could fix an intermittent
    problem. Anyone ever see this before and know of the fix ? It is a 2012 Prius with 58K miles.
    Thanks for any help.
     
    #1 our1vue, Jun 18, 2015
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    if you pull really fast and hard, it'll lock. Does it do that when you pull gently on it?
     
    #2 JC91006, Jun 18, 2015
  3. our1vue

    our1vue Member

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    JC91006,
    It happens when I pull it slow too. It is like the ratchet gets stuck and after a few pulls, it releases. Then I can pull it
    slow or fast and it works fine until it happens again. I can't figure out what triggers it to latch up in the first place.
    Thanks for the help
     
    #3 our1vue, Jun 18, 2015
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I find most manufacturers will fix seat belt problems if you bring it to their attention. It's a safety issue.
     
    #4 JC91006, Jun 18, 2015
    xliderider likes this.
  5. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    What is the attitude of the vehicle when you attempt to connect the belt? If you are not on level ground it might be activating the lock-up mechanism. See if the passenger side acts the same. Older shoulder belt lock-up mechanisms were individual to each retractor and would gum up with dust and dirt. The control on a Prius might be centralized now, not sure.
     
    #5 AzWxGuy, Jun 18, 2015
  6. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Are you on a level surface when this happen?; meaning on a incline or uphill conditions?
     
    #6 mrbigh, Jun 18, 2015
  7. our1vue

    our1vue Member

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    azwxguy, mrbigh,
    I was in my garage. I would think that would qualify as a level surface :)
    The passenger side works fine, so this looks like a driver side problem. I was wondering if the latch mechanism is getting gummed up from lots of use. The car is used every day.
    I wonder if I take it back to the dealer if they will just replace the whole seatbelt. It
    looks like that part runs $175. I would like to just be able to clean the ratchet mechanism becase
    that is where the problem is.
    Thanks
     
    #7 our1vue, Jun 18, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2015
  8. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    My PIP is the same age than yours and being used every single day, it almost has the same ware and tear than yours.
    If you are adventurous, you can remove the plastic cowl that encase the seat belt mechanism and use a compressed air duster to clean up some collected lint around and verify its operation; or you can go to the dealer.......:censored:
     
    #8 mrbigh, Jun 18, 2015
  9. our1vue

    our1vue Member

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    mrbigh,
    Have you needed to clean out your seatbelt mechanism ?
     
    #9 our1vue, Jun 18, 2015
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i have used mine almost everyday, for 3 years, i don't think it's a fur ball. don't they have a 5 year warranty? i wouldn't want the liability of fiddling with it personally.
     
    #10 bisco, Jun 18, 2015
  11. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    ... and if you do choose to poke into it, be sure to read up on the pretensioner (a/k/a small bomb) that's in there.

    -Chap
     
    #11 ChapmanF, Jun 18, 2015
    bisco likes this.
  12. our1vue

    our1vue Member

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    bisco,
    I didn't think the seatbelts had a different warranty. I thought it was covered by the 3/36K warranty (which has long passed)
    chap,
    I think I read about those and they said it was just like having a 22 cal bullet there.
    Thanks for all the input/help
     
    #12 our1vue, Jun 18, 2015
    bisco likes this.
  13. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Never...........
     
    #13 mrbigh, Jun 18, 2015
  14. Nobody123

    Nobody123 Member

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    1. Make sure the seatbelt bolts are not loose. Sometimes if the retractor is not bolted in at the correct angle, it thinks you're in a crash and will lock up.

    2. Safety items (seatbelts, airbags, etc.) carry a lifetime warranty regardless of age or mileage under federal law. If you feel it's a manufacturer's defect, take it to your local dealer.
     
    #14 Nobody123, Jun 19, 2015
  15. our1vue

    our1vue Member

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    Nobody123,
    Interesting. I wonder if they would repair an intermittent item or do I have to wait for it to fail. Thanks
     
    #15 our1vue, Jun 19, 2015
  16. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Where's the law that states lifetime warranty?
     
    #16 JC91006, Jun 19, 2015
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