Big Sky Euro

I just replaced the drivers side seat belt in my 99.5 mk4 jetta and it won't move at all. The airbag light is on too. any ideas? The car I got the new seat belt from was wrecked pretty good.

Here's one thing I came across - completely wacky, but apparently it works: Dunk it in a bucket of water & dishwashing detergent for 10-15 minutes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KA_q_AMjmQ That's from an air-cooled VW but it might still work.

The guy does not mention one thing that has been added to modern-day seat belt assemblies - explosives. Yes, explosives. They're not always a part of the retractor though. They're used to reduce "submarining" or sliding under the lap belt in a crash, and also to keep you upright in the seat. They do it by taking up the slack in the belt. They're called "pre-tensioners". I'm guessing they use the airbag sensor loop, so maybe your problems are related.

Does your car have that? Kinda hard to say as the late 90's is when that started showing up. A Ford cargo van I had back around 2002 or so had them.

Yeah its got the explosives in it... They probably went off in the crash. I replaced the belt because the previous owner made it beyond dirty so I guess I'll just have to clean it.

To get rid of the airbag light, a one- or two-ohm resistor may work. Get a low-tolerance (5%) resistor and put it on the vehicle-side of the seatbelt wiring plug(s). Using some test leads, clip it in place and see if it works. If so, solder it in place permanently.

it probably has the pin fired through it they are touchy in crashes.

I know Ford has the pretentioners with the .22 blank in them, I don't know if VW ever got into it. They are a really goofy looking seat belt assembly in the Ford's.

Thanks for the input everyone! I'm sure I'll get it figured out.