A seat belt can get jammed as a result of many things. There are two more common reasons to look for. The first is when dirt and grime are on the seat belt webbing causing the belt to retract slower than normal. The second is when the seat belt retractor is locked.
If the issue is with the dirt and grime, you would need to clean the webbing thoroughly. First, retract your seat belt until there is no more slack. After that, take a clamp and place it near the retractor. Next, spray on a cleaner such as a carpet or fabric cleaner, or if you do not have that – hot water may work fine. Brush in the cleaner until there is no more dirt or grime left on the webbing. Sometimes, soaking the webbing in water for a while can help loosen some grime or dirt that is stuck on there. Once the webbing is clean, dry the webbing for a good amount of time making sure it is fully dry before retracting the seat belt back into the mechanism.
Now it is time to fix the seat belt. First, pull the webbing out of the seat belt completely and then give it a yank to undo the locked belt. If that doesn’t work out, try taking it out of the vehicle entirely. Then, using a screwdriver, you can manually spin the spool. This slowly retracts the seat belt webbing back into the mechanism.
If you do not think you are able to do this safely and/or correctly, it is best to steer on the safe side and have a professional handle the seat belt repair. The last thing you want, I am sure, is a faulty working seat belt that you trusted, when you need it most on the road.
Safety Restore is a post-accident restoration company offering several services. They can fix a locked seat belt after an accident, along with getting your module reset, custom seat belts, and more. Using 100% OEM parts and offer a lifetime guarantee on all their services. With a 24 hour turnaround time and thousands of happy customers, you can rely on them to get you back on the road safely. Visit SafetyRestore.com to get started and to learn more about their services, such as getting custom seat belts.
