Some time ago we transported a piece of furniture in the rear of our Fabia Combi which I secured as I'm used to with one of the rear passenger seatbelts.

I probably didn't unload the object because it's only last week that I heard that the seatbelt had remained blocked. I couldn't unblock it via the easy manoeuvres I found online and since the car was to go in for yearly maintenance (today) I didn't try to access the roll-up mechanism.

I'm a bit late in asking but the workshop is going to replace the entire thing, which could mean the thing is defective, they're legally obliged or it's actually going to be cheaper.

I found lots of questions about blocked seatbelts that would no longer retract but nothing that would suggest this is a known problem on a 2018 Fabia Mk3 or one of its VAG equivalents. Is it, and is there any interest in asking for the replaced part to see if I can unblock it myself?

Oh, and of course my partner blames me for having provoked this ... I could have accepted that if the belt had been extended all the way but as far as I can tell that is not the case ... I'm pretty certain there was no emergency braking either during the transport in question, so what might have caused this problem?

Thanks!

Somehow you have pulled it right out, it has locked, and the normal method of release (gently pull belt bit further to unlock the retractor) isn't possible.

I don't know what type are fitted, but in the past some had a tiny lever catch that you could prise to manually release it, or wind pulley on (as if pulling belt, but with belt winding in backwards), which allowed spring to rewind it normally. But obviously got to remove trim to get to it.

From memory, a cut or frayed belt, or non functioning seatbelt is an MOT failure, so going to have to fix it, or replace it

Yes, it would be a failure on the French equivalent of the MOT too, I've seen them pulling like mad on the belts to see if they can break them, I mean, oops, if they work properly.

Sorry I might have misunderstood what you mean but it could be the mechanism is blocked with debris or possibly the fabriuc of the belt damaged, you might be able to sort any debris blockage what is the point if the seatbelt has been replaced (?).

The seatbelts are tested in a similar fashion here for the annual (after first three years of the car's life) MoT test, quite rightly too. Some forget, or don't know, the airbags are supplementary to the seatbelts hence they were known as SRS, Supplemental Restraint System, seatbelts before airbags, never just rely on airbags.

ETA: I was just looking at a similar old thread in this section and you might have a get out from your wife, if you transported the piece of furniture on a hot day, see the later posts in this thread. - https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/465910-drivers-seat-belt-wont-pull-out-fully/#findComment-5424664

48 minutes ago, nta16 said:

you might have a get out from your wife, if you transported the piece of furniture on a hot day, see the later posts in this thread\

Hmmm, if I understand this correctly I would have to uncover the mechanism and then give it a good dose of silicon lubricant?

I could try that of course (and that might also uncover some dirt or whatever (that car serves as a storage space for all kinds of smelly equestrian stuff I can't stand inside the house) but that thread suggests that the thermal problem is reversible. We've had enough cool nights that you'd expect the belt to have retracted; the rear ones are hardly ever used so they should still have that retracting enthusiasm that can really whack you with the buckle :)

FWIW, the replacement was out of stock and will only be in on the 21st or so, so if we find a solution before that it'll just go right back to the supplier.

16 minutes ago, RJVB said:

give it a good dose of silicon lubricant?

Not spraying all over the place as you don't want anything on the fabric. I personally use GT85 which is PTFE rather than silicone, it is also a good penetrating/releasing fluid as well as a long lasting lubricant, and smells nice too. - https://gt85.co.uk/

Yes it could be dirt/debris/grit/**** which a lubricating spray might flush out or air blowing might blow it out (or further in perhaps).

Much of car servicing, maintenance and many repairs boil down to clean and lubricate of one sort or another. Often well worth trying as a cheap, quick, easy, clean-hands thing to perhaps give time for other work or very often as complete work.

The cooling might make things worse buy locking the mispositioning from the movement with the heat, if you take a seatbelt apart you might be surprised by how little is restraining a human body from going forward.

I would also use a vey bright light and magnifying glass to perhaps see anything thing blocking and locking the belt up.

A few months ago a mate came around as he had spent ages try to get the driver's belt in his car to hold the buckle, he had used sprays used picks and no luck, he wanted help to get the seat out to fit another stalk and I asked him to show me what the problem was and Sod's Law the buckle went into the existing stalk and locked, shear Sod's Law luck, I done nothing, and it's still fine now The smallest bit of crud can prevent some things from work.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

The drivers belt on my Leon was not retracting properly - bit of a clean with some interior spray and it was working fine again. Just be careful with any sort of lubricant - it'll help now, but can also very easily attract dust and dirt along the line.

You might find a can of compressed air (used to dust PC's and the like) along with a damp cloth might help. I'd try that before overspraying your interior with GT85 (WD40 also do a PTFE spray)

LOL, PTFE ... it's clear we're post-Brexit and you're "on the other side" :) Much as I agree about the miracle qualities of the final product I'll stick with the (hopefully) lesser evil of a silicone-based spray (which doesn't smell bad at all either).

Will update if I find anything ... if I even get a green light to try to go in ;)

They have different uses. I personally have a PTFE spray and silicone grease as I feel this is the best use of each.

PTFE is compatible with more surfaces, with similar lubricative properties to silicone. The difference is PTFE creates a surface on the item.

As above, I would clean the seatbelts thoroughly (IPA?) and then carefully lubricate the mechanism with a PTFE spray, avoiding spraying the fabric belt. The reason I'd use PTFE is that it won't come off onto the belt, like silicone might. PTFE is also less prone to attracting dirt and, IMO, is a bit harder wearing. I would also maybe question the effectiveness of the locking system if the belt is all lubed up...

I'd personally clean it and go from there. I don't like spraying stuff with lubricants that then goes all over my clothes.

7 hours ago, OccyVRS said:

GT85 (WD40 also do a PTFE spray)

GT85 though originally a British company was taken over by an invasive American corporation, called WD-40 Company. Whether WD-40 labelled PTFE is the same as WD-40, or even has the same lavender smell I don't and IIRC WD-40 Company UK technical enquires, at least about GT85 i my experience, is dealt with by a third party marketing company.

ETA: there's also silicone oil and silicone for some car uses -

I've never had trouble with GT85 hold crap but that is just my experience with its use and not to say its not possible by other use or that I might not encounter it in the future I will have to see.

4 hours ago, OccyVRS said:

I don't like spraying stuff with lubricants that then goes all over my clothes.

You are a mess pup, and/or spray in windy conditions. 😁

Edited 8 August, 20258 Aug by nta16
ETA