front manual seat belts locked up

[htchbck]

Anyone here know how to unlock seatbelts? I have a complete set of manual belts waiting to go in, and the front ones are locked in the retracted position and won't unwind. I've had this happen to belts in other cars too, and I know there has got to be a way to get them to unlock, I just don't know what it is.

[ajb999]

there's a little plastic plug on either side of the car under where the seat belt stops when all the way back. about halfway down. if you pop it off you can use an allen wrench to move the seatbelt. mine likes to blow fuses and luckily i just found the stock wrench and instructions in a parts car. hope this helps.

[htchbck]

sorry, I just re-read my post and realized that I didn't really make it clear what the problem is. The power belts are locked down (bolted now actually) and I want them to stay that way till I get the manuals in because I had to cut off the tracks when I cut the roof. My problem is the manual belts I'm going to install. The are wound up, and they will not unwind. The ratchet thingy that catches the belts (like in a crash or something) is just... ummm... stuck. And I need to know how to unstick it so I can install them. Thanks

[mechanicaldj]

you have to hold the belt retractors perfectly vertical

then try to UN-retract them

it has to do with when you get into an accident , they will lock into position

[htchbck]

Mech, you are awesome! I owe you one... maybe two... if ya ever need anything holler at me, I'll see what I can do. I spent close to 5 hours trying to unretract those belts... and then I held them vertical like you said... about 5 seconds later I had both of them extended and ready to go! Thanks once again!

[packrat427]

That is called a pendulum lock ,enertia swings the lock into place as brakes are applied of you are getting smashed into and locks the belt.