lusciousma94

I'm having passenger seatbelt trouble with my 2002 Honda Civic LX 4-Dr. Sedan. I had my seatbelt replaced & it won't pull out to fit back in the side panel. Does anyone know how to pull the seatbelt out to make it longer? Is there something I have to latch or remove?

lusciousma94

I could go to a Honda dealership, but I cannot say I didn't mess with it cause I can't get it back in. So, your telling me they won't assist me with my seatbelt cause I attempted to fix it myself? I'm a lady who knows business, I'm sure they'll do it for me...

Sri Nathan

HI, just fixed my rear Inertial reel seatbelt which had jammed on a child seat, on a 2009 Honda Stream - which I believe has many similarities to a Civic.
Two points here ...
1. the inertial reel mechanism has a design that will not unlock unless it is absolutely straight & level with the ground. Simply put - it must be held exactly as it sits on the car body frame (assuming you are holding it).
Holding it in any other position will cause the mechanism to Lock by design - just like in a accident or when you pull the belt with force.
There is a ball-bearing mechanism which moves which causes the gears to lock - hence even a slight movement (by hand) can cause it to lock.
I found a video on YouTube which explained it very well.

2. In the right position, to release the lock, to extend it - you must release the tension (by allowing it to slip back), then gently pull it toward you.
This may take several attempts - it maybe took me about Five attempts to finally get the entire belt unwound.
If it doesn't work the first time - just keep releasing the tension then gently pulling.
This advice was given by a fellow user on this same site back in about 2005.

Unfortunately only the combination of these two points will unfreeze the belt - assuming you have dismantled the inertial reel from the car body.
If it is still mounted on the car frame - then just point 2 should work - if not make sure the car is sitting level.

Good luck!