73 Seatbelt warning light and buzzer??

[Jimmy P.]

Ok, I just got a set of original lap belts from Charlie Santorelli for my 73 convertible. Before I put my seats back in I wanted to see if everything worked correctly first. On the 73 the retractors have a wire connection and only on the passenger seat there is also a weight switch that connects to the seat springs. I loosely bolted the retractors to the floor and plugged everything in, including the passenger seat weight switch. I turned the key on and the dash light came on and so did the buzzer. But, when I pulled up on the belts to see if the buzzer and light stopped they did not. The belts don't need to be buckled in the 73. They light goes out and the buzzer stops if I pull up on the brake handle one click. Is there something I'm missing? I hope the switches are ok in the retractors. Or is there a relay problem? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated thanks.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 73 Seatbelt warning light and buzzer??

I believe that I've solved the problem. The problem was with the passenger seat switch. After checking the AIM I noticed that the switch should be installed between the foam and on top of the spring. Instead of on the bottom of the spring causing it to malfunction. Should the wire in the attached photo be making contact? At least I know now that my oxblood belts are fine that I got from Charlie at Seatbelt City and my wiring is ok. Another satisfied customer.

[Russ S.]

Re: 73 Seatbelt warning light and buzzer??

I just went thru basicly the same scenario on a customers 73. The seat weight switch can be really testy.

[Joel A.]

Re: 73 Seatbelt warning light and buzzer??

The switch closes when there is weight in the seat. The long strap in the middle of the switch will flex downward, pulling the "wire" into contact with the other terminal. Positioning the switch within the seat can be lots of fun(NOT). Took me quite while to get both of mine set properly years ago. On my first ever Ops check at a Regional, the car was on an incline going into the judging building for Ops. Since it was on the incline, I had to have the park brake applied....which cancels out the seatbelt warning buzzer and light...so it failed the Ops check. It wasn't until later I remembered the park brake would do that....DOH!

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 73 Seatbelt warning light and buzzer??

Russ,
Thanks for the tip, used it and everything is working fine right now


Joel,
I would have thought the judge would have said to "release the parking brake please, so I can check the seatbelt warning system"

[Joel A.]

Re: 73 Seatbelt warning light and buzzer??

Ya...you would think that I would have remembered to do so myself...first time having the car Judged...the excitement was just too much... lol

[Peter G.]

Re: 73 Seatbelt warning light and buzzer??

Russ,
I would have thought the judge would have said to "release the parking brake please, so I can check the seatbelt warning system"

In a perfect world.