Question Seatbelt working?

momof3reading

New member
I have a 2004 Chrysler Town and Country. I was putting a new booster seat on the seat behind the passenger, a captains seat, and reviewing with my six year old how to properly buckle himself in when I became worried that the seat belt is not working properly.
1. It did not lock when I pulled it out all the way
2. I did not feel like the belt tightened on my son
3. It did not lock when I pushed the brakes

How can I tell if it is working correctly? I tried finding an answer online but nothing useful was coming up.

Thank you
 
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kelkel2090

CPST Instructor
Your seat belt will not lock when pulled all the way out because you have a locking latch plate. You will notice that once you buckle your son, if you try to pull up on his lap belt it won't move. That's the latch plate kicking in.

You have to trust that your belts will lock. I have noticed that it's very hard to activate the emergency lock on the Chrysler/Dodge vans.
 

tiggercat

New member
If you grasp the shoulder belt near the retractor and give it is quick yank, you may be able to engage the emergency locking retractor. I can in my Caravan, though it is hard to do sometimes. The belt will lock up in a crash when the occupant moves forward quickly.

Edited, when you say it does not tighten on your son, do you mean that it doesn't get super tight on him, or do you mean that there is slack in the belt (I.e the shoulder belt doesn't retract, or slide back into the retractor)?

What kind of booster are you using? Some model year caravans and t&cs have forward leaning headrests that can interfere with booster sitting flush against the vehicle seat.

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