Hyundai Repair: 99 elantra seatbelt, retractor, seat belt

Question
front passger will not extend. feels like something holding it from releasing. any idea on how to unlock or release

Answer
Hi, Ken.  There are a few possibilities here.

1.  The retractor may be jammed.  If you take off the pillar trim and try to roll the retractor by hand to pull the belt in, it may free the retractor.

2.  The belt may be twisted behind the trim, putting enough resistance on the retraction that the retractor will not pull the belt back automatically and therefore will not release.  Use the same method as in number 1, but also untwist the belt.

3.  The seat belt pretensioner may have fired (due to collision).  In this case, the retractor will no longer function and the seat belt will need to be replaced.  

4.  The retractor may no longer be working.  In this case, the seat belt will need to be replaced.