RAM 3500 passenger seat - no warning light

[Alec]

We just purchased a used 2016 RAM 3500 Limited diesel. On our first trip we noticed that there was no indication that the passenger did not have their seatbelt fastened. We noticed this after driving a few miles. When the passenger tried to pull out the seatbelt to connect while the RAM was in motion, the belt would not pull out. We stopped and then the belt could be pulled out. At no time when the seatbelt was not fastened did we see a seatbelt warning on the displays.


We always fasten our seatbelts when in motion (except when we forget above). My major concern is whether the airbags are armed on the passenger side when a passenger is present. All my other vehicles including a 2016 RAM 1500 show a warning when a passenger is detected and their seatbelt is not fastened. In addition, these vehicles do not arm the passenger airbags if a passenger is not detected. With this 2016 RAM 3500 the absence of a open seatbelt warning for the passenger does not provide me reassurance that the airbags on the passenger side are functional.

Does the 3500 arm the passenger side all the time or only when a passenger is detected? I can not find any answer in the manual.

 

[B.G. Smith]

I believe any safety related items are covered regardless of miles or age. I just got a recallon 2005 Mercury headlight switch, 130,000 miles. bg

 

[Ram4Sam]

We just purchased a used 2016 RAM 3500 Limited diesel. On our first trip we noticed that there was no indication that the passenger did not have their seatbelt fastened. We noticed this after driving a few miles. When the passenger tried to pull out the seatbelt to connect while the RAM was in motion, the belt would not pull out. We stopped and then the belt could be pulled out. At no time when the seatbelt was not fastened did we see a seatbelt warning on the displays.


We always fasten our seatbelts when in motion (except when we forget above). My major concern is whether the airbags are armed on the passenger side when a passenger is present. All my other vehicles including a 2016 RAM 1500 show a warning when a passenger is detected and their seatbelt is not fastened. In addition, these vehicles do not arm the passenger airbags if a passenger is not detected. With this 2016 RAM 3500 the absence of a open seatbelt warning for the passenger does not provide me reassurance that the airbags on the passenger side are functional.

Does the 3500 arm the passenger side all the time or only when a passenger is detected? I can not find any answer in the manual.

I believe the safety/nanny features are different for vehicles over 10,000 lb gvw.......I don't recall a light when my wife regularly forgets her seat belt, but that doesn't mean there isn't one. The having to stop to pull the seat belt part seems odd though......

Sam

 

[Hippy43]

We just purchased a used 2016 RAM 3500 Limited diesel. On our first trip we noticed that there was no indication that the passenger did not have their seatbelt fastened. We noticed this after driving a few miles. When the passenger tried to pull out the seatbelt to connect while the RAM was in motion, the belt would not pull out. We stopped and then the belt could be pulled out. At no time when the seatbelt was not fastened did we see a seatbelt warning on the displays.


We always fasten our seatbelts when in motion (except when we forget above). My major concern is whether the airbags are armed on the passenger side when a passenger is present. All my other vehicles including a 2016 RAM 1500 show a warning when a passenger is detected and their seatbelt is not fastened. In addition, these vehicles do not arm the passenger airbags if a passenger is not detected. With this 2016 RAM 3500 the absence of a open seatbelt warning for the passenger does not provide me reassurance that the airbags on the passenger side are functional.

Does the 3500 arm the passenger side all the time or only when a passenger is detected? I can not find any answer in the manual.

I believe the safety/nanny features are different for vehicles over 10,000 lb gvw.......I don't recall a light when my wife regularly forgets her seat belt, but that doesn't mean there isn't one. The having to stop to pull the seat belt part seems odd though......

Sam

I have never tried to pull the seat belt out while in motion but I can tell you that there is no alarm for the passenger BUT I get a light and a "Drivers Seat Belt Not Fastened" message at speeds below 5 mph. Guess I'm going to have to get the Mrs to see if she can fasten while in motion next trip.

 

[zb39]

I have a 16 limited. You have a problem. My wife can put on the belt while in motion. I get a light and a chime if she doesn't fasten the belt.

Same for driver.

 

[Jared Herzog]

I have a 15 3500 drw GVWR 14,000. There is no seatbelt warning on the passenger seat. You are fine. There is a chime and light for the driver though. People who drive one tons are smart enough to not need a babysitter for their passenger. Lighter trucks and cars have different requirements.

 

[Bob4x4]

I believe any safety related items are covered regardless of miles or age. I just got a recallon 2005 Mercury headlight switch, 130,000 miles. bg

not without a recall

 

[jhenderson]

The OP may have been on the brakes while telling his wife to buckle up. My seatbelt will lock when braking, even at low speeds. I have no warning light for pass seatbelt. My 140lb shepherd rides there every day.

 

[Newsa]

The OP may have been on the brakes while telling his wife to buckle up. My seatbelt will lock when braking, even at low speeds. I have no warning light for pass seatbelt. My 140lb shepherd rides there every day.

I was thinking the same here. Any acceleration or deceleration will lock your belt coil. It used to be only deceleration. But I think the seatbelt mechanism locks much quicker and easier than they used to. Even some bumps will lock it. They new ones are designed to better lock on a roll over. Thus, both acceleration & deceleration.

I turned my chime off. Love that feature.

 

[Axel]

How do you turn off the chime? Love to turn my Riverside chime off.

 

[Newsa]

How do you turn off the chime? Love to turn my Riverside chime off.

There is a sequence in some of the old owners manual that involves turning on the key and buckling/unbuckling the seat belt 3 times within 60 deconds. I don't remember exactly the sequence.

This came up on a search. It works on the newer trucks as well.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/236164-seat-belt-chime?p=2282023#post2282023

 

[CMB]

I agree on the hyper sensitivity of the locking mech. Maybe it was just a coincidence that she tried to pull the belt too quickly. Many time the wife reached for her purse and the belt locked up. Just out of curiosity try pulling the belt slowly while in motion. I recall just going around a turn and leaning forward just to feel the belt hold me in place.

Cheers

 

[Hippy43]

I have never tried to pull the seat belt out while in motion but I can tell you that there is no alarm for the passenger BUT I get a light and a "Drivers Seat Belt Not Fastened" message at speeds below 5 mph. Guess I'm going to have to get the Mrs to see if she can fasten while in motion next trip.

OK, had the Mrs give it a try last night. While in motion, nice and steady, she had at first a slight "lock" feeling when pulling the belt across. She eased off and pulled up and over with no problems running 55 down the road. Like others have said, any slight accel or decel will lock the inertia detection on the belt spool.

 

[Axel]

Thank you! I will give it a try this weekend!