Stuck seatbelt on drivers side in 1996 Volvo 850 Wagon

FUSE PANEL LOCATION
The fuse panel is located in the engine compartment. A label on the inside of the cover lists the fuse amperage and circuits protected.
volvo 850 fuses fuse panel layout service repair manual
FUSE PANEL IDENTIFICATION
Fig. 1: Fuse Panel Identification
Courtesy of Volvo Cars of North America.
WARNING: Always disconnect battery ground cable before servicing "high-current fuses. It is recommended that "high-current" fuses be replaced by a qualified technician.
* 1 - 15 Amp
Fuel Injection, Distributor Ignition, Automatic Gearbox
* 2 - 15 Amp
Fuel Pump, Alarm System
* 3 - 10 Amp
Courtesy Lights, Oil Level Sensor
* 4 - Not Used (1993-95)
* 4 - 10 Amp (1996)
Electronic Start Inhibitor (Immobilizer)
* 5 - 30 Amp
ECC Blower (Speed 4)
* 6 - 25 Amp
Central Locking System, Alarm
* 7 - 15 Amp
Audio System (Amplifier)
* 8 - 25 Amp (1993-95)
Power Antenna, Trailer Connector
* 8 - 40 Amp (1996)
Electronic Start Inhibitor (Immobilizer)
* 9 - 30 Amp
ABS, Traction Control System
* 10 - Not Used (1993-95)
* 10 - 15 Amp (1996)
Heated Rear Seat (If Equipped)
* 11 - 30 Amp
Heated Rear Window & Side Mirrors
* 12 - 10 Amp
Brake Lights
* 13 - 15 Amp
Hazard Flashers, Headlight Flashers, Alarm
* 14 - 30 Amp
ABS, Traction Control System
* 15 - 10 Amp (1993-95)
Audio System, Courtesy Lights, Door Open Light, Trunk Light, Glove Box Light, Remote Control Central Locking System,
Oil Level Sensor, Seat Belt Reminder
* 15 - 10 Amp (1996)
Audio System, Courtesy Lights, Door Open Light, Trunk Light, Glove Box Light, Remote Control Central Locking System,
Oil Level Sensor, Seat Belt Reminder, Data Link Connector
* 16 - 30 Amp (1993-95) Accessories
* 16 - 30 Amp (1996)
Power Antenna, Trailer Connector, Accessories
* 17 - 10 Amp
Key Reminder
* 18 - 25 Amp (1993-95)
Heated Front Seats, Power Mirrors
* 18 - 15 Amp (1996) Front Fog Lamps
* 19 - 15 Amp
Left High Beam Headlight
* 20 - 15 Amp
Right High Beam Headlight, High Beam Indicator
* 21 - 15 Amp
Left Low Beam Headlight
* 22 - 15 Amp
Right Low Beam Headlight
* 23 - 10 Amp
Left Parking Light, License Light
* 24 - 10 Amp
Right Parking Light, Bulb Failure Warning Sensor
* 25 - 10 Amp
Rear Fog Lamps, Fog Lamp Indicator
* 26 - Not Used (1993-95)
* 26 - 25 Amp (1996)
Heated Front Seats, Power Mirrors
* 27 - 15 Amp
Back-Up Lights, Turn Signals
* 28 - 10 Amp
Cruise Control, Heated Rear Window, Seat Belt Reminder Light, Shiftlock, Bulb Failure Warning Sensor, Heated Rear Seat
* 29 - 15 Amp
ABS, Traction Control System
* 30 - 10 Amp
Cigarette Lighter
* 31 - 25 Amp
ECC, ECC Blower (Speeds 1-3)
* 32 - 10 Amp
Audio System, Remote Controlled Central Locking System
* 33 - 15 Amp (1993-95)
Power Seats, OBD Test Socket, Tailgate Washer/Wipe (Wagon)
* 33 - 15 Amp (1996)
Power Seats, Tailgate Washer/Wipe (Wagon)
* 34 - 25 Amp
Windshield Wiper/Washer, Horn, Headlight Washer/Wiper
* 35 - 10 Amp
Instrument Lights, Sun Roof, Traction Control System
* 36 - Not Used
* 37 - Circuit Breaker
Power Windows, Power Sun Roof
* 38 - Not Used
* 39 - Circuit Breaker
Drivers Power Seat
* 40 - Circuit Breaker
Passengers Power Seat
RELAY PANEL LOCATION
The relay panel is located at the left corner of the instrument panel.
i copied this off a volvo site Hope this helps

The locking mechanism is plastic and usually brakes apart inside. It needs to be replaced. Because it is a 96 model, I would not trust used parts. Buy new from Volvo. They run in the $200 range for the part.

Hi,

That volvo and most of modern cars today uses a small explosive charge, placed in that retaining gear of seat belts. It will be activated to a collision.

To activate that seat belt, you must replace the whole retaining gear with that same type of safety precaution system.

The only way you could get a cheaper normal seatbelt is to replace it with an ordinary retaining gear lock, mostly Japanese seat belt or the older pre 1990 type that has no explosive charge.


Hope that clears everything and tightens up your problem!


Thanks for using Fixya!

I solved this on my 95 volvo 850 glt as follows:

pull the seatbelt pilar cover off from the door jamb. this runs vertically up the pilar between the front an back door (beside the front seats. Once opened loosen the belt by gently pulling the belt upward toward the roof. You'll have to do this sometimes in small increments. Once the seatbelt is pulled out all the way, spray small amount of lubricant into the joint where at the top of the belt spool. Also use a screw driver to push spool upward while pulling the belt. At first it's only going to release a little but eventually the lubricant will work its way into the seam at the top of the belt spool and loosen up the stuck inertia catch. Until it completely loosens you might have to remove the pilar cover again and work the seatbelt out (also use the screw driver technique described above) in order to use the seatbelt. When parking, I would relatch the seatbelt and pull the slack up around the back of the head rest. After a day or so it worked normally.

good luck and don't give up.

I solved this on my 95 volvo 850 glt as follows:

pull the seatbelt pilar cover off from the door jamb. this runs vertically up the pilar between the front an back door (beside the front seats. Once opened loosen the belt by gently pulling the belt upward toward the roof. You'll have to do this sometimes in small increments. Once the seatbelt is pulled out all the way, spray small amount of lubricant into the joint where at the top of the belt spool. Also use a screw driver to push spool upward while pulling the belt. At first it's only going to release a little but eventually the lubricant will work its way into the seam at the top of the belt spool and loosen up the stuck inertia catch. Until it completely loosens you might have to remove the pilar cover again and work the seatbelt out (also use the screw driver technique described above) in order to use the seatbelt. When parking, I would relatch the seatbelt and pull the slack up around the back of the head rest. After a day or so it worked normally.

I solved this on my 95 volvo 850 glt as follows:

pull the seatbelt pilar cover off from the door jamb. this runs vertically up the pilar between the front an back door (beside the front seats. Once opened loosen the belt by gently pulling the belt upward toward the roof. You'll have to do this sometimes in small increments. Once the seatbelt is pulled out all the way, spray small amount of lubricant into the joint where at the top of the belt spool. Also use a screw driver to push spool upward while pulling the belt. At first it's only going to release a little but eventually the lubricant will work its way into the seam at the top of the belt spool and loosen up the stuck inertia catch. Until it completely loosens you might have to remove the pilar cover again and work the seatbelt out (also use the screw driver technique described above) in order to use the seatbelt. When parking, I would relatch the seatbelt and pull the slack up around the back of the head rest. After a day or so it worked normally.

THE WHOLE PART

Try giving it a solid tap with something hard (screw driver handle) while jiggling the seatbelt.

YOU HAVE TO UNTANGLE IT IT MAYBE TRICKY BUT JUST IN MY OPINION GET AUSED ONE FOR 10-20 AND DONT FORGET TO UNPLUG NEG BATTERY CABLE FIRST UNLESS YOU WANT THE SRS LIGHT TO COME ON

If it is a 850 sedan like mine then you'll have to remove the speaker covers and then pull up the rear deck cover, then you can get to the mechanism.