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Lexus LS Seat Belts
The seat belts in my '95 would not readily retract so bought new ones and just completed the installation.
I completely disassembled one of the old ones and now I maybe know the cause.
The front seat belts in the 95 LS have a dual-speed gearbox within the retractor/tensioner assembly.
It has two clock springs that are used to retract the seat belt, a light duty low tension spring and a heavier duty high tension spring.
The retractor uses a solenoid actuated escapment to shift between the two tension springs.
The idea seems to be to use the STRONG spring until the belt is buckled and then lock the strong spring in place and only rely on the light duty spring.
The problem is, apparently, the escapment gets stuck in the low tension position, maybe due to the solenoid armnature becoming permanently magentized.
If you have this problem my suggestion would be to remove the "electric tension reducer" connections to each front seat belt that enables the retractors to "shift" into the low tension mode. Then pull the belt out to the fully extended position 3 or 4 times to be sure the escapment unlocks. With the connection open you will always be using the high tension spring but that's better than paying $300 for a new set of seat belt retractors as I just did.
PIC is of a fully disassembled driver's side front seat belt retractor from a 1995 LS400.
I completely disassembled one of the old ones and now I maybe know the cause.
The front seat belts in the 95 LS have a dual-speed gearbox within the retractor/tensioner assembly.
It has two clock springs that are used to retract the seat belt, a light duty low tension spring and a heavier duty high tension spring.
The retractor uses a solenoid actuated escapment to shift between the two tension springs.
The idea seems to be to use the STRONG spring until the belt is buckled and then lock the strong spring in place and only rely on the light duty spring.
The problem is, apparently, the escapment gets stuck in the low tension position, maybe due to the solenoid armnature becoming permanently magentized.
If you have this problem my suggestion would be to remove the "electric tension reducer" connections to each front seat belt that enables the retractors to "shift" into the low tension mode. Then pull the belt out to the fully extended position 3 or 4 times to be sure the escapment unlocks. With the connection open you will always be using the high tension spring but that's better than paying $300 for a new set of seat belt retractors as I just did.
PIC is of a fully disassembled driver's side front seat belt retractor from a 1995 LS400.
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If not one of the things that will help would be to disconnect the electric connection to the retractor that "shifts" the retractor into low tension mode once the belt is buckled.
It appeared to me that the electric solenoid used to "shift" the retractor had become permanently magnetized and so the retractor often remained "suck" in the low tension mode even with the belt unbuckled.
Simply remove the lower/bottom cover on the inside of the "B" pillar and unplug the connection. Pry up the front and rear door sill covers first. After disconnecting, a few full extentions/release of the belt will generally result in the escapement releasing into high tension mode.
I goggled "LS 400 Seat Belt doesn't retract" and I found this thread.
Did the solution you posted (unplugging the solenoid) worked, WWEST?
I called several repair shops and they are telling me $450 to $565 to fix it by replacing the entire seat belt assembly.
I seems no one can fix it without replacing the entire thing.
Thank you for contacting Lexus Customer Satisfaction.
We apologize for the concerns you have been experiencing with the seatbelts on your 1992 LS 400. Lexus makes every attempt to provide our customers with a quality product, and we will back the product against manufacturing defects with our warranty. The seatbelts are covered under warranty for 6 years or 70,000 miles, whichever comes first. Your vehicle has been outside of warranty for about 15 years. Once your vehicle is outside of these warranty parameters, Lexus is no longer obligated to assist with repairs. If you would like Lexus to review for possible assistance with repair costs outside of warranty, please provide us with some additional information: mailing address, daytime phone number, name of the Lexus dealership you were working with, and 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Once we obtain this information, we will forward your concern to a Case Manager who will perform a full review and will contact you by phone within five business days. We cannot guarantee any financial assistance, but we can certainly discuss your concerns by phone. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Sincerely - MICHELLE
This is the response I got the next day when I open my email to email them my mailing address, phone number, VIN, etc
In order for us to consider any possible assistance, you will need an inspection completed by a Lexus dealership. Without their diagnosis, we won't know the extend of your concerns and what type of repair needs to be completed.
I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
If you require further assistance, please respond to this e-mail, or contact Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-255-3987, Monday through Friday, 5:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., or Saturday, 7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Pacific Time. Sincerely - DIANE
I am now waiting for Lexus Corporation to get back with me with a date to take my car in.
My last email to them last Friday contained my VIN #, my phone # and I also told them which Lexus Dealer is nearest to me, only 3 miles away.
I told them I am free to take the car in anytime they want.