91 Camry: 1st shoulder belt, then door lock, now won't start

[atbda]

About 6 months ago, the driver's side automatic shoulder belt on my '91 Camry got stuck in the forward position. About two weeks ago, the power door lock on the driver's side only stopped working (all three other door locks work OK). Two days ago I decided to open up the driver's door panel to see if there were any broken, cracked, or frayed wires to try anf fix both problems. After removing the plastic sheet covering the door "insides", all the wires that I could see through the holes in the door looked OK. I also felt the wire bundle (couldn't pull it up to look at it) from the control panel wiring harness that runs along the bottom of the inside of the door. The wire bundle felt OK (it was wrapped with tape and foam for protection). On the latch side of the door, there were two sets of wires (each set had three wires) that came to two separate connectors mounted on a bracket. I disconnected them to see if there was any corrosion inside, but both looked good. I tried jiggling things around a bit to see if a loose connection would re-connect and make things work again (at least temporarily).

Well, when I tried the power door lock switch, they all worked OK now. The shoulder belt still is stuck in the ofrward position. But now for the next problem: when I tried to turn the key to start the car, there was nothing. The panel lights are on when I turn the key, but there is not even the "click" at the starter. Why would the wiring in my door prevent the car from starting? Did I short out something somehow? Any ideas what to try? Also, as long as I have the door panel open, does anyone know which wires to test for how to fix the shoulder belt?

[yotatechie04]

Usually, when your automatic shoulder belt stops working, it's either one of two things. The belt came off track, or the motor has burned out. It is possible that when you removed the door panel and tugged and pulled at the wires that you could have shorted something out, maybe ground a wire that wasn't supposed to be, and fried a fuse or relay. I recommend checking all of your fuses and relays and then checking all of your wires for shorts. You should also check your motor for your seat belt, which I do believe is located behind the trim panel on the middle pillar (between the doors) and check to see if it works with direct power ran to it. If it does work, then you should then check to see if your seat belt is off track.

[atbda]

Thanks for the suggestions, YOTATECHIE04. I got the car started again ... somehow a wire connector near the starter had worked loose. Snapped it back together & the car started right up again.

I pulled the side panel to get to the shoulder belt motor. I applied 12 volts from a spare battery to it, the motor came on, and the shoulder belt retracted to the rear position. When I opened the door, the shoulder belt went back to the forward position. So it appears both the motor and track are OK. My guess is that there must be a switch somewhere that tells the shoulder belt motor to turn on and off to make the shoulder belt go forward & backward. Its stuck back in the forward position again now. Do you know where to find the switch (by door latch, by fuse box, ...)? Or any other suggestions on how to fix this? Thanks!

[yotatechie04]

I think the switch that you're referring to is located inside the door jamb. It's either wired into the switch for the dome light, or there's a seperate one.