Janobala
Active LVC Member
The seatbelts in my friends LS that he just got will not retract when pulled out. What may be the problem with it? It had this white clip with it could it be related? 
Seat belts don't retract
- Thread starter Janobala
- Start date
The seatbelts in my friends LS that he just got will not retract when pulled out. What may be the problem with it? It had this white clip with it could it be related? 
Blueberryyum02
Well-Known LVC Member
The only thing I can think of off hand is check the fuse, then shift the gears while holding the brake if that don't make it release you might be in for a replacement.
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
Blueberryyum02
Well-Known LVC Member
I'm assuming it's like most cars that have the electronic latch ( never looked so I'm not sure ) the locking mech should activate when placing the car in gear, while accelarating, and braking. I had a 1998 buick park avenue, that had electrical connectors that would engage the locking mech upon acceleration then release it, also it would engage while braking I took this as a way to kind of catch you from going to far forward in the event of a collision.
I have been wrong and that electrical pigtail could be just a simple ground for a tail light of some sorts.
When the rear belts wouldn't fully retract I thought the child safety seat lock was on, so I pulled it all the way out and nothing. Took it to the dealer and they had to replace it cause the electrical latch was stuck in the locking position, I assume a 2000 + lincoln would have this feature since buick had it in 1998 and god knows how many other vehicles.
Blueberryyum02
Well-Known LVC Member
ABSTRACT
In a seat belt buckle comprising a housing, an opening in the housing adapted to receive a cooperating tongue having a locking portion, a locking member provided in the housing for locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue when the tongue is inserted into the opening, and releasing mechanism for releasing the locking member from locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue, the improvement comprising:
the releasing mechanism being comprised of
(a) an electrically energizable actuator; and
(b) a connector in contact with the actuator and the locking member, the connector being movable upon energization and deenergization of the actuator;
the locking member being movable in response to movement of the connector between a first position at which the locking member is in locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue and a second position at which the locking member is out of locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue.
In a seat belt buckle comprising a housing, an opening in the housing adapted to receive a cooperating tongue having a locking portion, a locking member provided in the housing for locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue when the tongue is inserted into the opening, and releasing mechanism for releasing the locking member from locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue, the improvement comprising:
the releasing mechanism being comprised of
(a) an electrically energizable actuator; and
(b) a connector in contact with the actuator and the locking member, the connector being movable upon energization and deenergization of the actuator;
the locking member being movable in response to movement of the connector between a first position at which the locking member is in locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue and a second position at which the locking member is out of locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue.
1LoudLS
Dedicated LVC Member
I prefer going with the fonzie and giving it a good tap?
Blueberryyum02
Well-Known LVC Member
Just a little more insight.
ABSTRACT
An emergency-locking seatbelt retractor having a solenoid-operated, spring-biased lock connected to the vehicle's electrical system responsive to movement of an inertia sensitive device to automatically unlock the retractor when a seat switch is energized, irrespective of energization of the ignition circuit, and to automatically lock the retractor in response to various abnormal vehicle operating conditions.
ABSTRACT
An emergency-locking seatbelt retractor having a solenoid-operated, spring-biased lock connected to the vehicle's electrical system responsive to movement of an inertia sensitive device to automatically unlock the retractor when a seat switch is energized, irrespective of energization of the ignition circuit, and to automatically lock the retractor in response to various abnormal vehicle operating conditions.
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
BlueBerryyum02, I don't know where you are getting that stuff, but it does not apply to the LS (nor to most cars I have worked on).
The LS seat belts have mechanical locks that trigger by deceleration, nothing electrical about it. They release (when working correctly) when the force is removed. They also have explosive pretensioners triggered by the SRS system in the event of a crash. They are a one time only thing and must be replaced (along with the seat belt) if ever triggered. The OP has a mechanical problem.
If you are going to throw out advice, please do the research to see if it applies at all to the car being asked about.
The LS seat belts have mechanical locks that trigger by deceleration, nothing electrical about it. They release (when working correctly) when the force is removed. They also have explosive pretensioners triggered by the SRS system in the event of a crash. They are a one time only thing and must be replaced (along with the seat belt) if ever triggered. The OP has a mechanical problem.
If you are going to throw out advice, please do the research to see if it applies at all to the car being asked about.
Janobala
Active LVC Member
Oh and every single seatbelt in the car does it. Not kust driver seat. You can pull them out and they will not retract unless you wind it back up by hand. And if you pull really fast on them they DO lock up. So the seatbelt functions correctly that way, but they just will not retract when pulled out.
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
Are you certain that this car was never in a wreck that triggered the SRS?
Blueberryyum02
Well-Known LVC Member
Ok I stand corrected I thought the ls being a 50 thousand dollar car at the time, would have had electrical seatbelt locking. To be honest this my first ford/lincoln I have always bought and currently own a buick, and I laugh at the features my 2000 Buick have that my 2002 ls don't, to me the buick park avenue was way ahead of its time. It's a shame they stopped production on them or else I would have a 2000 and 2014 model sitting on the drive way.
As for my ls looking at body style I can see where the attempt was made to compete with euro sporty cars but when it comes to features, ford drop the ball dramatically.
Blueberryyum02
Well-Known LVC Member
Now that just might be the case.
Janobala
Active LVC Member
Why would this stop seatbelt retraction. And it doesn't look like it was ever wrecked, but he doesn't know for certain.
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
I think (but don't know for certain) that it might if the pretensioners were detonated. Otherwise, it seems odd that all four belt retractors would have the same failure.
1LoudLS
Dedicated LVC Member
^ this is the most logical for all four seats failing at the same time, think about it, the seats basically have little precision bombs that yank the belt tight just as you're smashing into something... it would make sense that this action could damage the retracting action. either that or the previous owner found a really neat way to blow out parts of every seat belt.
milehighmikey
Dedicated LVC Member
There may be a stored code if the belts and SRS system have been activated. I found the airbag low resistance code in my car -- 5 years after I changed the clockspring! I also found stored codes for the cruise control not being able to maintain speed, and a couple of codes for the climate control system, all through the OBD-II port.