03 s55 seat belt won’t pull out
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 324
Likes: 37
From: Somerset MA
2001 E55 1999 E55 2001 ML55 2017 C43
03 s55 seat belt won’t pull out
03 s55 passenger front seat belt won’t out more than 10-15in. It worked fine until I had the interior detailed and the carpets shampooed.
Under the passenger seat I noticed a small cable that was detached and just sitting there. I see where it get attached but it very loose with lots of slack.
Anybody know what the cable is for or any idea what my issue could be.
thanks
Under the passenger seat I noticed a small cable that was detached and just sitting there. I see where it get attached but it very loose with lots of slack.
Anybody know what the cable is for or any idea what my issue could be.
thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
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'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
You should also have a PreSAFE warning in the dash, either white or red. I know there is an actuator in the B-Pillar that goes out. P/N 220-860-09-88 remedied mine (https://www.mbdirectparts.com/oem-pa...ter-2208600988). I wouldn't be surprised if that's what's out (meaning, unplugged) on yours. As a test, raise your driver side headrest higher and see if the seatbelt adjuster in the B-Pillar raises as well. IIRC, those two functions are linked, so that a higher headrest position adjusts the B-Pillar seatbelt higher. If not, I'd bet that's what's unplugged and needs to be addressed.
But, because all of this is tied to the PreSAFE system I'd probably have a dealer address it, unless one of the MB Techs in here knows something.
Make sense?
maw
But, because all of this is tied to the PreSAFE system I'd probably have a dealer address it, unless one of the MB Techs in here knows something.
Make sense?
maw
Last edited by maw1124; Jun 26, 2023 at 10:52 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
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'03 S55 (79K miles)
Seatbelt height
I don’t recall the seatbelt height adjuster on the B-pillar moving automatically on my ‘03. (It’s in storage at the moment so can’t test that). I think b-pillar adjustment is done manually. You squeeze the button and slide it up or down to the comfortable height.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,264
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'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
Good catch @GrepAwk ... I just confirmed on my '06 the B-Pillar seatbelt height adjustment is automatic and moves with the seat fore/aft adjustment, which also moves the headrest up and down. But simply moving the headrest does not move the seatbelt height adjuster as I was thinking. From what I recall when I had that part replaced, a lot of the time was in readjusting the mechanism once installed. Cheap part, lots of labor, sort of thing.
maw
EDIT... OP can let us know whether his '03 seat belt adjuster is automatic v manual.
maw
EDIT... OP can let us know whether his '03 seat belt adjuster is automatic v manual.
Last edited by maw1124; Jun 26, 2023 at 01:53 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 324
Likes: 37
From: Somerset MA
2001 E55 1999 E55 2001 ML55 2017 C43
Good catch @GrepAwk ... I just confirmed on my '06 the B-Pillar seatbelt height adjustment is automatic and moves with the seat fore/aft adjustment, which also moves the headrest up and down. But simply moving the headrest does not move the seatbelt height adjuster as I was thinking. From what I recall when I had that part replaced, a lot of the time was in readjusting the mechanism once installed. Cheap part, lots of labor, sort of thing.
maw
EDIT... OP can let us know whether his '03 seat belt adjuster is automatic v manual.
maw
EDIT... OP can let us know whether his '03 seat belt adjuster is automatic v manual.
the seat belt not pulling out is a separate issue. I currently have the b-pillar apart and awaiting a new belt mechanism to come in.
thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 367
'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
When I had mine replaced, the dealer thought it was EITHER the adjuster OR the seat belt latch -- they couldn't tell. So I told them to replace the adjuster and then we'd see. The seat belt latch had a crazy price tag, and since I could hear the adjuster clicking in the B-Pillar, I started with that. Again, this is part of a complicated safety mechanism called PreSAFE. So I don't think the seat belt latch is the "dumb" latches we have in mind from prior years. I think it gets an electronic signal when something in PreSAFE isn't working correctly to secure the passenger. That's likely what you're experiencing. My only question is how is this going on without a PreSAFE warning in the dash?!?!
And you now know what I know about it. GL
maw
Last edited by maw1124; Jun 27, 2023 at 12:23 PM.
