seatbelt advice please
 

my passenger spilled some barbeque sauce into the seatbelt snap assembly [the lower part of the 2 part assembly]. we immediately tried to wipe everything off. but, now, when you insert the belt int the locking asseembly, it does not hold onto the belt [and the belt warning light stays on]. any suggestions as to how to clean this mess up?? do i have to remove the entire lower assembly or can i dis-assemble it in place?? i just need to clean out the metal snapping spring controlled portion. i hope all of this maks sense.

We are talking about the receptacle right ,,, the one with the red plastic you press to release?

You can replace it for under $50.

Or remove the bolt, disconnect the wire and rinse it out. Then let it dry out completely and spray it with wd40 and shake it dry. Let it sit for a day or two and then do couple of buckle-unbuckle a few times. Connect the wire and check everything is working. If so bolt the piece in. Keep a towel and keep wiping the buckle as it may stain your clothes. Note : i am suggesting wd40, just because of water rinse. [rust prevention].


All in all I would say replace it as it is safety item.

Salim

yes salim, the recepticle.thank you. now i know the correct term. where is the "bolt" whereof you speak located?? do i have to remove the seat or somthing??

I have not taken it apart .. but follow the receptacle towards the seat tracks. Move the seat to create access. Lets us know what you find out.

My driver side is acting up. I have to hold down the red button to engage the buckle. I was about to order one from Sewell but their site does not allow internet order.

Salim

salim

yesterday i moved the passenger seat as far back as possible, but it is not close to giving access to anything involving servicing the recepticle. i will have to do a more research into gaining access to the recepticle. if i learn anything useful i will let you know, by PM if possible.

Pop the end cover on the rails and undo the four bolts holding the seat rails down. I would suggest that you get help as you move the seat around. They are large and bulky and one person will not be able to see around it and a slight miscalculation can cause a rip in the interior.

I always welcome PM, but a post will benefit all members.

Salim

I just thought of one more last ditch option for you ...

Wrap the bottom of the receptacle in towel and pour about half a cup of water in it. Repeat as necessary, till clear water runs out. Change the towel and let the thing dry. Spray a shot of wd40 and work the buckle in an out out. Keep cleaning the buckle till wd40 does not come on it.

Cross your fingers and power on the RX. I doubt the fuse would blow, but you may get false indication till the things dry-out or end up as permanently busted.


Salim

thanks salim. as soon as things warm up a bit, i'll try the hot water route. if i learn anything positive, i'll post it here.

Wisconsin winter can be long and brutal ;), but I would not delay it as the longer you allow the spill, the harder it will be to wash off .. you may need some scrubbing (which is impossible imho). At the same time, you need to do it in above freezing environment.

Salim

salim
as long as the key is not in the ignition, do u think there is any chance of causing a short circuit by pouring water into the recepticle?? should i disconect the battery? of course i would let it dry out thoroughly b4 reconnecting the battery; perhaps using a harir dryer.

Safest is to disconnect the battery and reconnect when the thing does not have standing fluid.

Be careful with the dryer as it can melt plastic and the can ruin the seats. If you have access to compressed air, that would be the best for insitu cleanup.

For pouring in warm water, it would be nice if you have a plastic bottle with a nozzle or even a turkey baster to direct the flow. I am concerned about the seat getting wet or damaged.

Salim

all excellent suggestions. thank you. i will post a follow-up if and when i get this thing done.

I placed an order for my driver side seat buckle. The red 'press' release button is not coming out to the top when I release the belt. Lock (secure position) seems to be working, but something is wrong inside.

Salim

Replaced my buckle (receptacle) today. Here is the step by step.

1. Move the seat back till the plastic cover of the bolts is exposed.
2. Pry away the plastic covers.
3, Undo the bolts
4. Move the seat ahead till the plastic cover over the hold down bolts are exposed.
5. Raise the seat a bit.
6. Pry away the covers.
7. Undo the bolts.
8. Disconnect the power.
9. Tip the seat back and undo the two connectors.
10. Cut away the tape on the wire hold down. Note the position and direction.
11. Carefully pull out the seat.
12. Open the cover hiding the bolt that secures the buckle.
13. Undo the bolt and keep track of the position of the washers and the wave washer.
14. Note how the wire is being routed.
15. Release the wire hold down by squeezing the expanding clip in the rear.
16. Squeeze the blue tab and pull out the connector.
17. Now release the hold-down (step 10) from the seat.
18. Tape the hold down to the wire harness at the same position and direction (step 10)

Assembly is reverse of the disassembly. For step 10 in reverse snap in the hold down on the seat bottom.

Torques:
Seat to floor 4 bolts (27 ft-lbs)
Buckle to seat (32 ft-lbs). Make sure the wave washer is centered .. this will allow you to swivel the the buckle.

Hint: use a large cardboard or moving rug to cushion the seat once you have it out.

Warning: The side air bags are built in to the seat side.

thanks salim; great instructions. still bitter winter in wisconsin. as soon as it is warm enough, i will try the hot water cleanout method before trying replacement.

Salim, do you have a part number for the drivers seat belt receptacle you replaced?

I bought it from the dealer based on model and vin#. I would advise you to do the same and remember that the receptacle has to color match with your vehicle ... so vin# is important

But I think this is the part number is
73230-48030A0

Salim

[QUOTE=salimshah;7907524]I bought it from the dealer based on model and vin#. I would advise you to do the same and remember that the receptacle has to color match with your vehicle ... so vin# is important

But I think this is the part number is
73230-48030A0

Salim[/QUOTE

Thank you sir. How much might I be expecting to spend?

You are a captive customer. So you got to pay what they ask. It is safety related item, so you have tio have it fixed. Give the dealership parts a call.

I think it was around $50.

Salim

Okay thanks. I was asking because I'd like to know what to spend and what not to spend. I followed a DIY to replace the air mixture servos and obtained the part numbers from that thread. I researched the price thru Sewell but looked locally at my hometown stealership. As figured, they tried to rip me off by almost $100 for both parts. I advised them the prices I got from Sewell and they came close enough to satisfy a hometown purchase. Do your homework people, it isn't worth paying more for the same thing. Especially since this is my moms RX, I have an 11 IS.

Good advice.

Did you check Sewell for belt buckle part number and price?

The key is do your homework yourself :D

Salim

i started this barbeque sauce thread. last saturday, i used salim's method with perfect success. it saved me lots of time and effort because i did not have to remove the passenger seat. thank you to salim.

I was wondering what happened.

Warm water and compressed air with towels wrapped around to catch the overflow?

Salim

yes; disconnected battery first. perfect solution. thanks again.