QuestionQUESTION: Hi, WE have a 2000JXI and I have tried changing the fuse under the hood marked seatbelt, looked at the relay under the console. I'm getting power to the brown wire, and yet it still locks up. Not all the time, but most of the time. Any other suggestion you can think of. Please advise.
thank you
Steve.
ANSWER: Hi Steve,
Also check fuse 15 and inspect both fuses to see if either might have a subtle crack which would cause intermittent disconnection. There is a seat belt timer/control module at the rear of the center console. The manual has about 3 pages on how to troubleshoot the belt system plus 1 page wiring diagram. You might also want to check the door ajar switches in the door frames as these are also involved in the control of the locking solenoids.
If the fuses upon inspection for cracks pass your evaluation as well as the ajar switches, probably the best way to move ahead on this would be for me to xerox copy and postal mail you the pages. Let me know a postal mailing address and I will do that.
Roland
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QUESTION: Hi Roland,
I changed both fuses like you had suggested to no avail. When sitting in the car you can actually hear the module click and lock, then a few minutes later, you can hear it unlock with or without the engine running. I'm wondering if changing this module would rectify it, or is it a computer problem? Can this module be changed? A part number would be helpful.
Is this at all a drain on the battery?
Thank you.
Steve
ANSWER: Hi Steve,
I am not sure that we understand what you mean by 'click and lock', and 'click and unlock'. Because I don't have this system I am relying on the manual and on your experience.
As I understand it, when the solenoids in each seat are powered the seat belt can be moved, and when they are not powered they cannot be moved outward. The normal function when you are driving is that the seat belts can be moved and they will only lock up in the event of an accident or loss of power to the solenoid in the seat. So I would not be surprised if it clicks and you find that it is moveable, that is normal. It is no different from an inertial type control seat belt in that those too can be moved while you are driving and they only lock up in the event of an accident. So my question is are you concerned about the click and if so which one, or is there some aspect of the actual belt movement capability that bothers you?
When the solenoid is powered it can be moved/when not powered the belt can't be moved. You should always be able to release the belt and it will retract (whether in the lock or unlock position). Power is provided to the solenoid whenever the key is in the run or the accessory position. But power will be turned off after 30 minutes once you turn off the ignition in order to not drain the battery.
Also, if you open a door or if you turn the ignition off the solenoids are powered for 30 minutes to allow you to release the belts and get out. The power is cut in the event of an accident, which lock the belts from extending.
So think about what is actually going on, read the owner's manual, and let me know exactly in what way the belt function(regardless of the clicking) is troublesome to you.
It seems to me that once you park the car and leave it for 30 minutes then to test it for battery drain: if you simply reach through the door (open window) that you should find that the belt is locked (e.g solenoid is not powered). That is normal and is so-designed to not drain the battery.
Roland
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QUESTION: thank you Roland for your answers. The click I am referring to is an observation of hearing the seatbelts lock and unlock when they jam up.
You state the normal function of the seatbelts is so you can move and only lock up in the event of an accident, but they lock up while driving or sitting still with or without the ignition on. When they lock up it seems like they run thru a cycle before they unlock. it seems to me that something is triggering them to lock and unlock weather or not power is supplied or door is open does not seem to matter.
Ive read the owners manual in its entirerty and it only glances on the fact that the seatbelts are electronically accuated. In addtion, there are times when I will go to get into the car and the seatbelts are already in the lock position and making it impossible to use....and they stay locked. They will randomly release themselves.
When they are useable, they will later lock up giving you the ability to get out of them, but not be able to use them again until they unlock or go thru the cycle i'm referring to.
I hope I am making myself a little clearer. This is hard to describe.
Thanks.
Steve
AnswerOk,
There is a paragraph or so about each of the following malfunctions. If you can identify which it is I can describe the troubleshoot, or alternatively xerox copy and mail to you:
both seat belts locked all the time
both seat belts locked with the ignition in the off position and the 30 minute time delay has not timed out
both seat belts lock and unlock with ignition switch On or whem passenger door ajar switch activated but not when the drive door ahar switch activated
both seat belts lock and unlock with ignition switch ON or when driver door ahar switch activated but not when the passenger door ajar switch activated
Driver seat belt locked passenger seat belt not locked
Passenger seat belt locked, driver seat unlocked.
Let me know and we'll go from there.
Roland
