Title kinda says it. Just bought a 96 850 wagon to replace my dearly departed 93 and when I put the back seats down, the seatbelts locked up and I cant figure out how to release them ! Can't return the seats to upright cause there isn't enough slack in the belts.

Help!

Excited about finding this forum ! I'm not particularly an auto head, but I'm not afraid of getting dirty fixing stuff and I love my Volvos...

js

 

Try giving them a good tug to get the locking clip to unlock. If that does not work, then you may need to open the retention to release the belt. I find it odd that both belts locked up like this, normally it is one or the other if it is bad.

 

thanks for the reply! when you say "open the retention" are you meaning I should pry open the plastic cover and get at the rewind mechanism? It feels like it's just locked up in there. And BTW, what is the purpose of the pull down plastic piece that runs along the top of the back seat with the ittle cubby behind it ? curious...

 

Not sure that the plastic piece is, I had a 850 wagon and it did not have this piece.

As for the seat belt, you are correct. I was speaking of the plastic cover.

 

It's for storing the roll-up security cover, which was an option. I'm hoping to find one - and afford to buy one - some day.

 

If you have not gotten this fixed yet this is what you need to do.
You need to unscrew the seatbelt where it attaches under the other seat of on the side.
There is a plastic stop that is supposed to be in the belt. That would stop it from rolling in more when you fold it down. Unscrew the bottom part and fold the seat back up then reattach it.

Then next time you fold the seat down pull the belt out some so it has slack. Then fold the seat down and hold the slackened belt between the seats. Then you will be able to fold it back up next time.

 

Thank You ! I'll give it a go in the morning. Appreciate the info !!!

js