2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Troubleshooting the Seatbelt module??

[Jrork]

Hi folks. My 98. 5 locked up both seatbelts yesterday and no matter what you do you can't pull them out. Doing a search it appears that often it's the module that is mounted under the center seat/console. Does anybody have any ideas of how to troubleshoot this to make sure thats my problem? Sounds like the dealer doesnt give them away.

Thanks everybody... ... John

 

[Jrork]

Just bringing this back up. I'm really hoping somebody knows how to diagnose this.

Thanks everybody

 

[Jrork]

Nutz, am I the only schmuck that has tried to troubleshoot one of these? Hate to buy a new one and find out it's something else.

 

[jwhetsell]

I have a 1998. 5 quad cab. This seems to be the only year Dodge put this roll over

silonoid system in quad cabs. My seatbelts did the same thing this summer. I couldn't

get the seatbelt out when I got in the truck. I unplugged the module from under the

seat and used a jumper wire to power the seat belt solenoid. Find the 12V ignition

source wire and jump it to the left and right solenoid. When you enter the truck

you will have to turn on the ignition before putting on the seat belt.

I have been using this set up for 6 months with no problems. The dealer wants

230 dollars for the module and it was on back order. I hope this helps.

 

[JGK]

Shortly after I purchased my truck I discovered there was a TSB on the seat belt control module. The symptoms were that when you went around big sweeping corner fairly hard you could hear the solenoid click in the retractor in the seat and the belt would lock up. The TSB recommended replacing the module and if it was still under warranty, it was covered I think. I bought the truck used and it went out of warranty shortly after, so I didn't get the module replaced. Mine still clicks, but hasn't locked up permanently like yours... yet. Jwhetsell, I'll have to print off your "fix" and keep it in my files.



-Jay

 

[JHudson]

I am not sure if the 98 uses the same system as the 99, but maybe you will find this thread useful.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147409&highlight=seatbelt+timers

 

[Jrork]

Thanks Guys. I'll search this out and get back with you on what I find out. $230 ??? Yikes,,,,,,

 

[Jrork]

Okay, here's an update. I did just as Jwhetsell did and they work great again. This is a nice way to trouble shoot the solenoids and make sure everything is working (minus the module).

So, I built a little 1 wire into 2 wire jumper and plugged it into the plug when I disconnected the module and the belts work as they are supposed to. The only negative is that I have the seatbelt warning light on in my dash now but this certainly gets you up and running again.



Thanks a bunch for all the help and tips guys... ... john

 

[broeser340]

Give your seatbelt a quick yank and see if it still locks. I am curious if it still "locks". Similar to your body accelerating forward in a car crash. Tampering with the control box may render your seatbelts useless in an accident. $230 is cheap vs. someone getting killed in an accident you are now liable for.

 

[Jrork]

Give your seatbelt a quick yank and see if it still locks. I am curious if it still "locks". Similar to your body accelerating forward in a car crash. Tampering with the control box may render your seatbelts useless in an accident. $230 is cheap vs. someone getting killed in an accident you are now liable for.

Trust me, that's the first thing I did along with driving it and hitting the brakes hard. Worked like a champ. I'm not implying that this is a long term fix but merely a method to get your seatbelts working so you can drive it.

 

[broeser340]

I was not trying to attack or anything. I work for the company that designed those systems and seatbelt systems. They have since gone to an electronic free design. I believe they are designed so that if there is a loss of power they will lock. If I could I would offer more information to help. Unfortunately, that producted was developed, tested, produced, and now no longer used long before I worked in the development labs. I do not have a lot of experience with it so I do not have a very in depth explanation about it.

 

[Jrork]

No worries. Drove it for a bit and it certainly works fine but the Seatbelt warning light on the dash being on is gonna drive me nuts.