Rear seat belt won't retract back in

[azibux1]

Hi all

Haven't been here for a while since changing the car, but like I said when I left it was going to my dad, so I knew I'd be around at some point.

Hope everyone here is well!

The car was unfortunately involved in a rear end accident with £12k of damage but it was repaired by an approved repairer.

Now I don't think this is related to the accident, although that part of the car was all in pieces during the repair, as nobody was even in that seat at the time of the accident so it couldn't have damaged the pre tensioner or retractor mechanism (I don't think).

It literally happened just now as my mum leant forwards to grab something and when she leant back, the seat belt isn't going back in anymore. If you pull more out, we're just ending up with more and more stuck unwound and not going back.

Anyone got any ideas or if it's an easy thing to get at the mechanism to take a look? If it is going to be a hassle then we'll just take it to the repairer or audi as it's still under warranty. Just wanted to avoid either of those if possible if it's just a quick fix to unjam it.

Thanks!!

 

[NHN]

Sounds too coincidental, occams razor may be the case here.

 

[josul]

Had a Ford Mondeo where the opposite happened. The middle seatbelt would not pull out. Turned out that if you didn't put the seats back properly it locked the seatbelt, not sure why just the middle seat though. Anyway, you had to slam the seats back into place to lock them into position.

I have never had this with an Audi but could be worth a shot.

 

[RJ-8V]

Just bring it back if you have warranty on it.

A3 8V Facelift Limousine

 

[Ormesome]

Same happened to me. My A3 had a new rear bumper thats all. no big damage, small scrape but was cheaper to get a new bumper than repair. Anyway, it was just a slight touch, no airbags going off or anything to worry about but it was on the same side (drivers rear) that the seat belt wouldn't retract. Girlfriends friend went in the rear, put on the belt but then it wouldn't retract. I checked if any warning lights were on, scanned with Carista and nothing. Took the car to Audi Leicester and they said that they wouldn't repair the belt as it was related to the bumper replacement. God knows how they linked it, no HPI register as I paid for it myself. no repair work as it was cosmetic. so I don't know what set it off! I got a replacement off eBay for around 40pounds. replaced it myself. all fine. I really doubt Audi will replace your seat belt but I guess its worth a try.

 

[tyr92]

Take it back to the repairer, they lock when involved in an accident and need to be replaced

 

[Ormesome]

Take it back to the repairer, they lock when involved in an accident and need to be replaced

Agree with this. Repairer should have seen it and returned a roadworthy car. You car isn't roadworthy as it would fail an MOT like that. As for taking it to Audi cos its in warranty, no chance. Not their fault and sure they would use the crash as an excuse to get out of paying.

 

[azibux1]

Thanks all!

Messed around the slamming the seat back etc, the issue went away and the belt retracted... but on the next journey it simply happened again. So seems intermittent.

Will give the repairers a call and see what they say!

 

[josul]

Thanks all!

Messed around the slamming the seat back etc, the issue went away and the belt retracted... but on the next journey it simply happened again. So seems intermittent.

Will give the repairers a call and see what they say!

Worth checking to see if it's the seat locking mechanism too then. I think there is a red marker where you push the button to drop the seats. When you sit them back this marker should not be visible, the button should pop up over it. After a journey with the seatbelt issue check this. Not sure how else you can check that they are locking correctly bar giving the a pull.

 

[AlS3BE]

Had something similar on a old car before. Basically a spring or the retraction mechanism was playing up so half the times it wouldn’t retract.
I doubt the impact could have damaged it unless someone was using that belt during the accident.
If I remember right it was like £60-70 for a new belt with all the gubbins from vw. At that price it’s not worth the risk and get it replaced. Easy enough job to do yourself.

 

[azibux1]

Thanks all. Dad messed about with it testing it various ways for about half an hour and it didn't get stuck once. So going to see how it goes and will take it to Audi if it happens again.