'99 Villager seatbelt question

T

Trish

Guest
This is somewhat technical (the guy at the service dept at the dealership had NO IDEA what I was talking about). I do plan on taking the van in, in the next couple of days, but I'd like to know if I can use the belt until then.

Ok....if you open the passenger side sliding door, you'll see that the seatbelt for the outboard 2nd row has an attachment point (which is like a miniature seat belt buckle) on the SIDE of the seat. This is to make it easier for people to get in/out of the 3rd row. The BUCKLE is free sliding on the belt, and the female part is attached to the side of the seat.

Yesterday, my son STEPPED on the seat belt, and the female part of the buckle just completely broke off (and in pieces). I *think* that this isn't a required part of the seat belt. I *think* that buckling this is optional, though it says NOTHING in my manual (that you HAVE to buckle it, or that it's optional). There is some writing on the belt itself, but most of it is worn off, and what I CAN read seems to refer to installing a car seat.

Because this is the "safe seat" in the van, I'd REALLY like to be able to keep using it until I can get it fixed, but...of course, I won't if it's not safe. I called Lincoln/Mercury customer service, adn they were NO HELP either. I even asked if buckling that small buckle was optional (becuase if it's OPTIONAL, than it wouldn't matter if it was broken), and was just told to ask a dealer. :rolleyes:

Any opinions?
 
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bazanna

Senior Community Member
It *sounds* to me as if it's optional...it's only purpose is to keep the belt out of the way for 3rd row access....? I'm concerned that there is no mention in the manual, though... :( Does the manual say it must be used when a child restraint is used in that position? But it doesn't specify otherwise...?

Sorry, that wasn't any help :eek:
 

Tamie

Senior Community Member
I have a '98 Villager, but we only have the passenger side rear door (and trust me when I tell you that I feel as though I'm the ONLY person in the world still driving a mini van without a sliding driver's side door. ;) )

I'd ask for a service manager at the dealership. Hopefully you'll get a knowledgeable person this way.

And for what it's worth, I at one point mentally graded our owner's manual with a C+. It's neither clear nor concise on many important issues.

Tamie
 

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