ChrisB

The pasenger side seat belt extends and retracts in a normal fashion untill the belt end is latched.

Then the belt strap retracts to suit the pasenger's body then locks there in an unacceptable fashion as if the car was in an emergency stop or skid.

The strap remains locked in that position with no flexibility for normal pasenger movements untill the latch is released.

Is there a fix for this?

The problem just developed a few weeks ago and is driving my wife crazy.

Floobydust

There should be a small black button on the right front side of the passenger seat, mounted on the hard plastic seat skirt, just inside the rocker panel (sill). It has two positions - forward or back. When is it is one position, the belt will lock as you describe; in the other, it will be in the inertia lock mode and retract as usual. Somebody must have accidnetally moved the button. . .

- FD

ChrisB

Excellent.

I hope that is the answer.

Thanks alot Floobydust

ChrisB

Floobydust.

We took the car out for the first time tonight. Flipped the switch you mentioned (very easy to find) to disable the baby seat feature ... and everything is back to normal.

My wife says she even read about this in the owner's manual a while ago, but it did not have a picture reference. Se will be re-reading the manual tomorrow!

Thanks for the tip!

Floobydust

Glad I could be of help.

- FD

amgmercedes

I have the same problem, but it occurs on both the driver's and passenger's side. I have checked for the switch you have described but I dont think my car has the switch since its a 91'.

Any ideas?

Floobydust

amgmercedes -

I'm not sure what the problem with your belts may be. I believe the seat switch was added when the "babysmart" airbag deactivation system was added to the model in the late '90's (I'm not sure exactly when). I've been travelling a lot but if I get a chance I will look through my service DVD (which covers all years for the R129) and see if it offers any help. I'll post if I find anything.

- FD