Auto Seat Belts Not So Auto

[bolokid]

My son and I recently purchased a 1991 Festiva with the auto retracting shoulder harnesses. The auto retract works as it should on the driver's side but does not on the passenger's side. I have pulled the track and checked out the motor as well as the limit switches and both are working fine. The motor works in both directions and the limit switches close when the belt moves into the switch. The problem is that the shoulder strap on the passenger's side goes to the "hold you in" position and will not retract when the door is opened or when the key is turned off. Can anyone tell me if this is a common problem and how I should proceed? Thanks.

Bob
Pasco, WA

[bravekozak]

I personally hate auto seat belts. I ripped them out of my 1993 GL and replaced them with 1989 Festiva manual seat belts. Problem solved.

[TheresGabe]

I <3 auto belts... I always figured I hated them. None of my older Festivas had them... I freaking love them now. I will admit I rarely use the lap belt though. No idea on your problem. Possibly the door sensor?

[caoverlock]

inside the door lock check wire,you have to take door panel off & reach back to door lock make shure wire is good

[crazyrog17]

Auto Seat Belts Not So Auto

It sounds like the switch within the door latch is stuck. You might get away with a lot of pb blaster or wd40 and cycling the latch. My drivers side belt doesn't let me out if it's too cold and I have to pull the inner door handle and let it snap back a few times.

[Chobobulous]

I had this exact same problem and it ended up being the black box under the driver seat.

[jtugfestiva]

X2 with Chobobulous!!

[standard235]

This could explain why my driver side belt doesn't work...

Still going to look for manual belts. Weight savings because racecar.