Seat belts don't retract any more.......
 

98 UK car, the belts don't retract, and my wife shuts hers in the door regular :mad:

Is there a fix?

Apart from smacking the wife, that is.........:D

My kids do that as well, most annoying. My bels retract most of the time, but there is no reall effort in how quickly they retract, so if they are twisted at all they wont go back.

I read on here that the belts not retracting is a sign of dampness.
As my car is always damp, I am inclined to believe it.

Get an electric heater in there and dry the car out - I use my car irregularly so I get this problem every winter:(

Was thinking about that, or silica gel. But until I've properly sealed my rears lights, its not worth it.
Was fun in winter, de-icing the inside of the screen.

I used this stuff last winter, reduced the effect as I too have leaking lights/boot lid...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/KONTROL-Moistu...6#ht_500wt_922

Mmm mine are being a tad lazy at the mo & the car's not been used much this last few weeks.

Drying time then & see how it goes.

Got to dry mine out again, I'm pretty sure the n/s light seal has gone again, I redid it with it's own sealant, carefull reapplied, about 8 years back, this time it will get carafax grey, but I leant my carafax to a mate for his caravan and he used it up. No caravan dealers within thirty miles of here.........

Belt retraction effort is controlled by the retractor spring force, which will fatigue over time. The seatbelt webbing being nylon absords moisture, making it heavier, so hence doesn't retract so well / if at all. :)

One way to improve things is to clean the seatbelt pillar loop, the one located on the height adjuster. Sometimes there is a deposit build up of dust/sweat moisture here, so some WD40 and a rag is all that is needed.

Apart from replacing the retractor (giving a fresh retractor spring) there's not much you can do I'm afraid.

Are retractor springs avialble from stealers?

No, only available as a complete Belt Retractor Assy.

They are very difficult to replace, as they need to be wound when fitted. Keeping the spring coiled is almost impossible without the need for specific tools to do it.

Aye, sounds about right...........