Since I've had my Fabia Mk2 I've found that, especially in the summer, the inertia reel on the drivers seat belt tends to get stuck when it's very warm.

This often means that (even if I pull it very very slowly and gently), it will "lock" as if it's been jerked sharply. Generally speaking, though, when it's cold, I don't have the same problem. If i jiggle it repeatedly, eventually it will free up and I can put it on as usual.

From what I can see from the Haynes Manual, it's not that difficult to get access to it and, from another thread I've read on here, it's probably just that the works have got a bit gummed up over the years and some cleaning spray and new lubrication should sort it out.

My issue, though, is that Haynes says to "Disconnect the Battery Negative" before trying to do anything like this, presumably because of the "explosive" tensioner mechanism. But it also says that the ECU will lose its "learned" settings and the radio will security lock until I put in a code (which was probably lost by a previous owner long ago!)

So is it actually necessary to disconnect the negative terminal if I'm not going to be disassembling the mechanism? Is it just Haynes being overly cautious?

Advice would be welcomed.

If it's the original radio it won't need a code entering after battery reconnection, it'll just sort itself out.

The engine ECU won't lose anything either.

It is mainly Haynes playing it safe. The airbag system (which includes seatbelt pre-tensioners) won't be active unless ignition is switched on, so just don't do that and you can leave battery connected.

I had the same problem last summer.

I cured it (after some Googling) by cleaning and then wiping both sides of the the whole length of the part of the belt that goes into the drum with a silicon spray. And also a squirt of silicon (not much) into the drum mechanism after removing the trim to gain access.

6 hours ago, Breezy_Pete said:

If it's the original radio it won't need a code entering after battery reconnection, it'll just sort itself out.

The engine ECU won't lose anything either.

It is mainly Haynes playing it safe. The airbag system (which includes seatbelt pre-tensioners) won't be active unless ignition is switched on, so just don't do that and you can leave battery connected.

Right, thanks for that.

I did wonder if having the ignition being off would be sufficient, it seemed odd that the system would be live if the car wasn't switched on!

2 hours ago, Doily said:

I had the same problem last summer.

I cured it (after some Googling) by cleaning and then wiping both sides of the the whole length of the part of the belt that goes into the drum with a silicon spray. And also a squirt of silicon (not much) into the drum mechanism after removing the trim to gain access.

Interesting to know, thanks.

I may try the silicone spray on the belt first as taking those trim panels off is a pain in the... fingers (and if you wear gloves, it just makes it harder :-( )

Edited 23 minutes ago23 min by GrahamM