FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Off-Vehicle Check


Emergency Locking Retractors (ELR) and Automatic Locking Retractors (ALR)

NOTE: All seat belt retractors are of the Emergency Locking (ELR) type. In an emergency (sudden stop) the retractor will lock and prevent the belt from extending any further. All outboard 3-point type seat belt retractors except the driver seat belt also have an Automatic Locking (ALR) mode. The ALR mode (also called child restraint mode) is used when installing child seats in outboard seating positions. The ALR mode is activated when the seat belt is fully extended. When the belt is then retracted partially the ALR mode automatically locks the seat belt in a specific position so the belt cannot be extended any further. To cancel the ALR mode allow the seat belt to fully wind back into the retractor.





Seat Belt Retractor Off-Vehicle Check
1. Remove the seat belt retractor assembly.
2. Slowly pull out belt while tilting the retractor assembly forward from the mounted position as shown in the illustration.

15 degrees or less tilt: Belt can be pulled out.
35 degrees or more tilt: Belt locks and cannot be pulled out.

If NG replace the retractor assembly.