Seat Belts Jammed

[CAP1]

Help We Are Stuck
Our 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup Has Locked The Seat Belts The Light On The Dash Will Not Go Out And We Can Not Pull Them Out To Put Them On
Previously It Had A Problem Where After Driving An Hour The Light Came On And We Where Locked In The Belts All We Had To Do Was Open The Door And Shut It The Light Would Go Out And We Would Be Released
The Dodge Dealer Is Telling Us It Is A 2 Day Job At Least To Take Apart The Seats And Release The Belts???
We Think It Is More To Do With The Sensor Than The Seats So Please Advise Us What You Can To Resolve This Problem.
Thanks

[fredjacksonsan]

There's a similar post to yours, I believe they ended going to the dealer. Don't have any ideas besides that.

[CAP1]

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

There's a similar post to yours, I believe they ended going to the dealer. Don't have any ideas besides that.

Do you know how I find that thread??
Thanks

[fredjacksonsan]

Cap, I'm sorry I remember seeing it but I think it may have been in a different forum. I did a search here under Dodge Trucks, but didn't find it. If I run across it again I'll be sure to forward the link to you.

I do recall that they had a similar problem as yours, with dash light on and belts stuck. The dealer had given them a quote, said it was probably the sensors (or a sensor) within the seats.

[imbassman]

I have the Same problem. I did take the seat apart myself. The problem I found is not the retractor itself(may be your problem as well). There is a relay in the seat that needs 12 volts applied at all times. I think it is a safety feature. I checked with a volt meter,,the computer or what ever controls that voltage is nopt suppling it. I was looking for a wiring diagram to see if a could trace the problem. All the Fuses look good. It could be a defective relay somewhere else.

[imbassman]

Ok. I took a look under the drivers side dash. Looking for a loose connection or somthing. I made sure all the connectors we pushed together. There is a switch connected to the brake pedal. That was loose. I touched it and it fell. I pushed it back on and turned the ignition on. pressed on the brake a coulpe times. I moved the seat belts in and out a couple times and then they became unstuck. I am almost certain that switch was the problem.

[imbassman]

Wel they locked up again. I went back and looked the switch was still in place. I thought back to what I did that day inaddtion to everthing else I had dissconnted the battery for another reason beside the seat belt. This time all i did was dissconnect the battery reconnect it and the belts worked.

[PigPen5150]

There are inertia sensors connected to the retractors. Sounds like maybe the sensors took a dump. It's one of those great safety features.

[PigPen5150]

Forgot to mention, if the connector starts to fall off a little bit, that will cause the belts to lock. Check all the connections to those sensors.

[CAP1]

Hi
Thanks for all the replies, still working on it!! We aint there yet.
I tried taking connectors off and checking them then back on, I have tried the battery diconnect. No luck so far still locked in tight these belts. Keep the suggestions coming they are really helping and I appreciate it.
I am about to remove the drivers seat and take a further look, does anybody know what the black box fitted under the centre seat does is this to do with the seat belts? My concern it is the airbag!!
Thanks

[2ndRamsACharm]

New to AF. The help on this thread was great. The driver side seat belt jammed on our 1999 Ram. We pulled the fuse (#16) and it was fine - but when we put it back in, the problem was gone and the seatbelt worked.

[CAP1]

Thanks for all your help our problem is now resolved.
We did not have to leave it in the shop or have the seat ripped apart for 2 days as the dealers all told us. It was a small sensor box under the middle seat that had broken it cost $120 and was replaced within 10 minutes by myself.