Solution to locking lap belt?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
Solution to locking lap belt?
I've had this problem since I got the car 3 years ago, or it started very shortly thereafter. Did some searching and found a couple of instances of the same problem, but no solution. It's definitely not supposed to do this, and from what I could find the recall definitely did not cover 1996 models.
My '96 locks up the lap belt whenever I do anything sudden. Brake, accelerate, turn, hit a bump ... you name it, it locks the lap belt. And it stays locked until I undo my belt, retract the belt, and put it back on. The same effect as hitting the 'cinch' button, but I don't. Gets really annoying during a long road trip when I might have to undo/redo my seat belt 4-5 times an hour, for 6 hours. Any ideas, or anyone have this problem also and fix it somehow?
My '96 locks up the lap belt whenever I do anything sudden. Brake, accelerate, turn, hit a bump ... you name it, it locks the lap belt. And it stays locked until I undo my belt, retract the belt, and put it back on. The same effect as hitting the 'cinch' button, but I don't. Gets really annoying during a long road trip when I might have to undo/redo my seat belt 4-5 times an hour, for 6 hours. Any ideas, or anyone have this problem also and fix it somehow?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
Yep, same problem with my 96. The 95 is not as sensitive for some reason.
I have not been able to find a solution. The only one I can come up with is to take the belt apart to get access to the inertial ball and make is so it is not a sensitive. Would like to experiment on one from a parts car before I tear into mine though. Trouble is would not know how much to adjust it.
Good luck and let me know if you find a solution.
I have not been able to find a solution. The only one I can come up with is to take the belt apart to get access to the inertial ball and make is so it is not a sensitive. Would like to experiment on one from a parts car before I tear into mine though. Trouble is would not know how much to adjust it.
Good luck and let me know if you find a solution.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
My 92 sometimes won't retract.
Hmmm - I do have a spare belt, maybe I can get some time this weekend and replace my hanging belt then figure out the issue
Hmmm - I do have a spare belt, maybe I can get some time this weekend and replace my hanging belt then figure out the issue
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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You might want to see if there was a dealer Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) issued for this problem. It may be the General will fix this one at no charge.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 402
Likes: 1
From: Tabernacle NJ
My 92 does it. I relate it to something screwy going on with the "CINCH" button.
Whether it be an actual mechanical issue with he cinch mechanism or if I'm just hitting it by mistake...I can't answer.
Whether it be an actual mechanical issue with he cinch mechanism or if I'm just hitting it by mistake...I can't answer.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
The only TSB I could find was 09-09-40-001, described as "Restraints - Seat Belt Warning Lamp On/Buckling Issues". Couldn't find any more information on it anywhere, and the same TSB is listed for several GM models throughout several years.
