Need help for FF Eddie Bauer in Chrysler Intrepid

[mara232]

I'm trying to get a good install of my Eddie Bauer seat FF in DH's car which is a Chrysler Intrepid 2001 - no latch. No matter what I do the seat is loose. I thought it was the seat so I uninstalled my Radian from my car and tried - same problem. The car manual says to NOT use a locking clip. I tried it anyway to see if it would help and it was still loose. The car manual suggests that I twist the belt once. That doesn't help at all. The Chrysler has a shoulder belt in the back as well as a tether. The belt is non locking.

I thought about a car clinic because I just can't figure it out FF (RF it fit snug). However - there are no clinics and I'd have to make an appointment with the police department - which I could do - just need to get a sitter.

I'm just stumped. What am I doing wrong?

[snowbird25ca]

Your car has what's known as lightweight locking latchplates. They lock at the latchplate when the lap & shoulder portions are parallel to each other, but if for some reason the latchplate is on an angle and the belts aren't parallel, then it won't lock properly... common problem with this type of latchplate depending on the belt path of the carseat you're installing.

You can twist your buckle stalk up to 3 complete turns, how many turns did you try?

What type of EB seat do you have? If it's a 3in1, are you using it with the base or without? If you're not using the base, do you have the stand up at the back of the base so the seat is upright? (It lays flat when the seat is rf'ing, you pull it out to stand the seat up when it's ff'ing without the base.)

If twisting the buckle stalk 3 complete turns doesn't work and the seat still easily loosens when you check for side to side movement at the belt path, then tighten the seat up as much as you can, unbuckle the belt, and flip the latchplate 180 degrees, then re-buckle it. That should fix the problem with the belts laying parallel in the latchplate, and it won't slip anymore.

One thing to keep in mind is that with a lightweight locking latchplate, only the lap portion of the belt is kept at a fixed length. The shoulder portion will move freely all the time, but the lap portion won't lengthen once tightened as long as the lap & shoulder belt are parallel to each other at the latchplate.

Once you've tightened the seat up, check for movement by using one hand and grabbing the shell where the seatbelt goes through the carseat. You're looking for less than 1" of movement side to side and front to back. I'd recommend doing this from the buckle side, because then you can watch to see if the belt is slipping in the latchplate when you check for movement. If it is, then just flip the latchplate like I described above. :)

[MissKatie]

Actually, we generally advise taking your child WITH you to have your seat checked. It's helpful to the checker in determining proper fit and installation for *your* child. If you're worried about taking him you might take someone with you to entertain him.

How big is your child? Could you keep him RF at least until you can get a good install FF?

Your seat belt will lock somehow, either at the retractor or the latchplate. Buckle it, then try pulling up on the lap belt. If it doesn't budge, you can't get any slack in it, you have a locking latchplate. In this case when you install the seat, apply your weight to the car seat while pulling up on the shoulder belt after you've buckled it in.
If the lap belt DOES allow you to get slack in it when buckled, then your seat probably locks at the retractor (which I suspect from your description). Pull the shoulder belt all the way out, then let it go back in a little ways. Try pulling it out again (before letting it go all the way back in). If it locks up, that's a switchable retractor. In this case, buckle the seat, pull the shoulder belt all the way out to switch the retractor, then let the slack feed back through. THEN apply your weight to the seat and pull up on the shoulder belt, allowing more slack to feed back into the retractor.

Also, make sure when you're checking for movement that you check AT the belt path. The seat might move some at the top (especially if not top tethered, but if top tethers are avaliable, use them!) or in front, but if you pull right where the belt goes through it shouldn't move more than an inch.

[MissKatie]

Snowbird, you're amazing, how do you always know what kind of locking mechanism every car has?? :thumbsup:

To the OP: Never mind, I defer to her. She's my senior anyways :P

[snowbird25ca]

Snowbird, you're amazing, how do you always know what kind of locking mechanism every car has?? :thumbsup:

To the OP: Never mind, I defer to her. She's my senior anyways :P

lol, chrysler/dodge/jeep is known for liking to use lightweight locking latchplates.

Chrysler was good in the more recent model years at recommending twisting the buckle stalk to help the latchplates work properly, so that's another clue. :thumbsup:

eta: the advice to leave rf'ing if kiddo still fits the seat in order to get to the clinic is excellent advice if you can't get a good ff'ing install. Katie is right that it's preferable whenever possible to have kiddo there - although we obviously wouldn't want you to transport him in a seat you know isn't properly installed. ;)

[mara232]

Thanks for all the advice. I will try all that you suggested. My issue with getting to a car seat clinic is I don't feel comfortable with the install to actually drive him to the appointment. If I can get it on a Saturday I can get DH to take him in the other vehicle.

The car manual says to twist the female part one turn. I tried that. I also tried twisting it 3 times. The seat is installed on the base and it is tethered at the top.

I'm going to re-try intsalling based on all your advice and see how that goes. DS is out of the weight/height limits for the Eddie Bauer 3-1 for RF. Thanks!

[SusanMae]

Since your child is too big to RF in that seat...he may also be to big to FF in the 3 in 1.

The very top head rest position is for booster use only. If you are using that position with the harness he's too tall for the harness. The next lower position is the top harness slot for using the harness. Remember straps should be at or above when FF.

Susan

[mara232]

He still fits FF properly based on what you said and what the manual says. I am looking into a new seat (another Radian or a Marathon) since we will need one eventually to keep him harnessed (why oh why did I buy the Eddie Bauer!?) - just have to find some $$ and a sale. I can't install the Radian I have RF or FF in the Intrepid - I really think if I follow the advice given I could get either to fit in properly. Thanks again - I'm going to try it tonight when DH gets home.

[joolsplus3]

Eddie Bauer...so tempting, so exotic...like a snake in the grass...:rolleyes:

I just want to reiterate Snowbird's other tip to 'flip the latchplate' one half twist... that is usually a super easy trick to get it to stay tight. Basically, install as you would normally, then unbuckle, twist the *male* end a half twist, and rebuckle (should be hard, you'll have to lean on that side of the seat to get it down more since the belt will be shortened just a teeny bit from being flipped). That'll hold the latcplate in place and the lapbelt super tight.

:)

[mara232]

Wanted to add DS is 37 inches and 30lbs. Limit for his seat RF: 30lbs 32inch and FF 40lbs and 40inches using vehicle belts which is what I have to use as I have no latch in the vehicle.

[mara232]

Julie - I will try that - I hope it works. I bought the EB before I had a clue about carseats and the importance of RF and harnesses. I can't believe that so many parents have no clue. I was one of them and if not for a member here who is on another board I frequent - I'd never have 'seen the light'. :) I am thankful for her for having taught me the importance of it all!

[snowbird25ca]

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=39120

That thread shows some detailed information about how to tell when the seat is outgrown in ff'ing mode. Numerical height limits are only part of the equation as each child fits seats differently and is proportioned differently. A child with a short torso will fit a seat longer than a child with a tall torso. 2 different kids can outgrow the seat at different ages and different heights - a 37" tall kid could've outgrown it, while a 42" kid who has long legs could still fit it.

With a ff'ing seat the harness is outgrown when the shoulders are above the top usable harness position. The EB is tricky because the top headrest position isn't usable. The article I linked to above explains & describes it.

(for the sake of completeness, ff'ing seats are also outgrown if the mid point of the ears are no longer contained within the shell, or the weight limit is reached. If any one of those 3 apply, then the seat is outgrown regardless of what the dr. measures a kid at. ;))

[mara232]

Thanks Trudy. My son does have a very long torso - off to read that thread.

[safeinthecar]

Since you are trying it with the base, maybe taking the base off will help.

Also, if you can't get the lightweight locking latchplate to lock, it IS ok to use a locking clip.

[mara232]

Thanks everyone! I did what was suggested (twist 1 time) and it worked! Thanks again!