QuestionHi Pete!
I just found this web site and I see you guys are giving some pretty good tips and advice. I'm trying to fix a problem with a 1989 Mercury Cougar LS, that was purchased new, in 1989. It now has approximately 38,000 original miles, and has not been driven during the past several years. One of the automatic seatbelts will not close up for the shoulder harness to function properly. Before it stopped functioning, I noticed that there were periods when it opened and closed while driving...mostly when small bumps were driven over. Just before it stopped functioning, it would open and after experimenting, in order to close it, I would move the window glass in that particular door up or down a half inch or so...which corrected the problem for a while. Now, the automatic seatbelt will not close up for the shoulder harness to work. The seatbelt light and the door ajar light are both lit on the instrument panel although both doors are securely closed. The interior dome light plunger appears to work on this door, (the interior dome light goes on when the door is opened and it goes off when the door is shut). I located and opened the access cover next to the rear seat where the motor that moves the seatbelt is mounted and I turned the wheel on the top of the motor clockwise, until the seatbelt was fully retracted and locked in the rear position. I thought I was done,...However, when the vehicle door was opened, the seatbelt opened up again and did not move back when the door was closed. I am guessing that there is a sensor, plunger,or some type of electrical connection that is causing the seatbelt to open and stay opened with the vehicle door both opened and closed. I just don't know where it is located although I am starting to think it is in the door itself, as when I slowly open or close the door, there is sometimes a certain spot where the seatbelt on the track will start to wiggle a bit, as if it is going to close, but it doesn't actually move.
I was hoping you could give me some idea of where the control or sensor for the retractable shoulder belt is so I might try to correct this problem. I took the interior door panel off to have a look, and I did notice a black colored plastic looking object, that resembled a very short pencil, maybe 1.25" long, attached to the door lock mechanism, with an electrical wire coming out of it, but, I didn't know what it was, or how it functioned but, now, I suspect that it might be what I need to remove and look at or clean or replace?
Also looking for any ideas on how to fix it.
As a last resort, I can probably turn the wheel on the motor and when the seatbelt is fully retracted, I can disconnect the power to the seatbelt motor, but the dash lights for the seatbelt and door adjar would probably still be on, and I'd really like to fix it without compromise.
Thank you.
AnswerHello Frank
this year of car was advanced for its time a dealer can reprogam your compuiter so you will be working the way it should be it is a 45 dollor charge . could be a bad compuiter alos which would have to be changed . please rate my serivice pete
