KarenTheBug
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Real Name: Charlie aka "Punch Buggy"
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![[*]](./images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif) posted on 9-4-10 at 12:48 PM |
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My seat belt won't let go!
So I'm driving down the road, and after making a turn or stopping a little short, the seat belt locks (like it should) ... but won't unlock. The
tighter I pull it & the more slack I give the spool, the more it retracts & locks until I'm being strangled. Then I have to find a place to
stop, take the belt off, fully retract it & start again.
Is there a spot under the cover on the spool I can shoot with WD40 or something similar, or do I need to replace the whole assembly? It almost seems
like the little hook that grabs to lock the belt is locking when it should, but not springing back & releasing.
1971 Volkswagen 1300 Sedan 111: Karen-Starshine
2000 New Beetle 2.0 GLS: Valerie-Sunflower
"It's supposed to sound like that. Noisey means it's still alive."
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AEdub03
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| posted on 9-4-10 at 02:07 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by KarenTheBug
Is there a spot under the cover on the spool I can shoot with WD40 or something similar, or do I need to replace the whole assembly?
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open it up and look....YAY for early Beetles with lap belts! 
1963 Beetle (sold)
1964 13 Window Deluxe (sold)
1967 13 Window Deluxe (sold)
2003 GTI AE (IY#2995)
2004 Jetta GLI
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GmanX
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| posted on 9-4-10 at 03:21 PM |
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My car failed inspection for that. :(
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manboy
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| posted on 9-4-10 at 04:10 PM |
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I think most of them have a steel ball that sits on a sort of catch with an indentation in it. If the steel ball rolls off of the center of the
catch, the seat belt won't loosen until the ball rolls back. This is to keep them from loosening under abrupt acceleration or toppling. Maybe that
bit is goofed up - just open it up and check it out.
I like things with wheels.
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KarenTheBug
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Real Name: Charlie aka "Punch Buggy"
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| posted on 9-5-10 at 06:40 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by AEdub03
open it up and look....YAY for early Beetles with lap belts!
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I like my shoulder belts ... especially when the windshield is just a few inches from your face, even when the seats are as far back as possible while
still letting me reach the pedals 
1971 Volkswagen 1300 Sedan 111: Karen-Starshine
2000 New Beetle 2.0 GLS: Valerie-Sunflower
"It's supposed to sound like that. Noisey means it's still alive."
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KarenTheBug
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Posts: 481
Registered: 1-31-10
Location: GET ME THE HELL OUT OF HERE
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Real Name: Charlie aka "Punch Buggy"
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| posted on 9-5-10 at 06:41 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by GmanX
My car failed inspection for that. :( |
Mine should have failed both times I've had it inspected since I've owned it, including just a month ago. Thankfully I've taken her places that let
me slide on minor B.S. (or are just ignorant on what to look for in a car this old).
1971 Volkswagen 1300 Sedan 111: Karen-Starshine
2000 New Beetle 2.0 GLS: Valerie-Sunflower
"It's supposed to sound like that. Noisey means it's still alive."
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KarenTheBug
Member
Posts: 481
Registered: 1-31-10
Location: GET ME THE HELL OUT OF HERE
Member Is Offline
Real Name: Charlie aka "Punch Buggy"
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| posted on 9-5-10 at 06:42 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by manboy
I think most of them have a steel ball that sits on a sort of catch with an indentation in it. If the steel ball rolls off of the center of the
catch, the seat belt won't loosen until the ball rolls back. This is to keep them from loosening under abrupt acceleration or toppling. Maybe that
bit is goofed up - just open it up and check it out. |
Yeah that's what I figured, there has to be a mechanism that pulls into place when the car stops short / turns hard (inertia), and then it's supposed
to slide back out of the way. I'm sure mine is just gummed up and not sliding back the way it should be.
I'll pull the belt all the way out, pop the cover off, and see what looks obvious. Thanks, all.
1971 Volkswagen 1300 Sedan 111: Karen-Starshine
2000 New Beetle 2.0 GLS: Valerie-Sunflower
"It's supposed to sound like that. Noisey means it's still alive."
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