1970 Seat Belt Warning Light

[Fred S.]

The light comes on intermittantly, sometimes when parked and some times while driving and when it does, pushing the light switch will turn it off like it is supposed to.
I believe that there is a loose connection and I can not find the wiring on any electrical schematics.
I have checked and replaced the bulb.
Does anyone know how this is connected? I assume that it is connected to the ignition switch.
Is there anything in the panel that can be replaced?
Other ideas or suggestions??
Thanks

[Roberto L.]

Re: 1970 Seat Belt Warning Light

The light comes on intermittantly, sometimes when parked and some times while driving and when it does, pushing the light switch will turn it off like it is supposed to.
I believe that there is a loose connection and I can not find the wiring on any electrical schematics.
I have checked and replaced the bulb.
Does anyone know how this is connected? I assume that it is connected to the ignition switch.
Is there anything in the panel that can be replaced?
Other ideas or suggestions??
Thanks

There is a point like device behind that light. When the points are dirty/worn there is bad contact and light goes on anytime.

I had a similar problem. Disassembled it and cleaned the points with an small file. Since then it works OK.

Best regards

[Pat M.]

Re: 1970 Seat Belt Warning Light

Fred - I'm not sure how it's wired, but I know how the switch works, and I would think that's the problem.

There's a little spring-loaded swinging "gate" that's closed when you start the car, completing the circuit and illuminating the light. But, there's also a little coil near the gate and when you start the car the coil is energized, and thus magnetized, and when you push the little gate back the magnetization holds the gate open, breaking the circuit, and extinguishing the light.

When you turn the car off, the coil is de-magnetized, and the gate is allowed to return to its previous closed position, allowing the light to come on again the next time you start the car.

I would think there is some sort of problem with the coil, or the part that holds the gate open when magnetized.
Good luck

[Jack H.]

Re: 1970 Seat Belt Warning Light

That's a reasonable description... The system works via a self-latching relay that's part of the PCB assy which is captive to the center cluster. NO spare parts were available to my knowledge beyond the repro push button and lens.

Depressing the 'PUSH' button engages the relay which then self-latches and extinguishes the warning lamp. It should STAY latched until the PCB loses power. So, you either have a 'flakey' relay (see Roberto's comment) or you have a power path to/through the PCB that's intermittent.

[Joe W.]

Re: 1970 Seat Belt Warning Light

Hello,
My 70' does the same thing.
I fasten my seat belt before I start the car and once started,
the light comes on. I depress the switch and the light goes off.
Heck, after 39 years and a safety warning device (reminder) that
still works is a bonus! I enjoy depressing the switch.

I can't help but feel like I'm in the cockpit of a jet.
Personally, it's fun. But I know, it's not correct.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 Seat Belt Warning Light

Hello,
My 70' does the same thing.
I fasten my seat belt before I start the car and once started,
the light comes on. I depress the switch and the light goes off.
Heck, after 39 years and a safety warning device (reminder) that
still works is a bonus! I enjoy depressing the switch.

I can't help but feel like I'm in the cockpit of a jet.
Personally, it's fun. But I know, it's not correct.

[Joe W.]

Re: 1970 Seat Belt Warning Light

Terry,

I was under the assumption that if the seat belt was already engaged,
before the car was started, the "Seat belt warning light" would not be
illuminated. If it comes on regardless of it being engaged, then so be it.

Joe

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1970 Seat Belt Warning Light

Terry,

I was under the assumption that if the seat belt was already engaged,
before the car was started, the "Seat belt warning light" would not be
illuminated. If it comes on regardless of it being engaged, then so be it.

Joe

In your former 72, you would be correct. Latching the belt stops the buzzer and I "think" the light - though I don't pay much attention as the buzzer is far more annoying.

Your 70 does not have the belts wired into the system. You have to turn it of manually.

Patrick

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 Seat Belt Warning Light

Patrick has it right for 1970. In today's terms the 1970 is a "dumb" system.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1970 Seat Belt Warning Light

Patrick has it right for 1970. In today's terms the 1970 is a "dumb" system.

I actually had the word "dumb" typed into my answer but I didn't want Joe to take it personally.

[Don L.]

Re: 1970 Seat Belt Warning Light

In your former 72, you would be correct. Latching the belt stops the buzzer and I "think" the light - though I don't pay much attention as the buzzer is far more annoying.

Your 70 does not have the belts wired into the system. You have to turn it of manually.

Patrick

At least in the early '72's (which had the 15 second light only-no buzzer) the light glows regardless of whether or not the belt is latched.

[Roberto L.]

Re: 1970 Seat Belt Warning Light

The light comes on intermittantly, sometimes when parked and some times while driving and when it does, pushing the light switch will turn it off like it is supposed to.
I believe that there is a loose connection and I can not find the wiring on any electrical schematics.
I have checked and replaced the bulb.
Does anyone know how this is connected? I assume that it is connected to the ignition switch.
Is there anything in the panel that can be replaced?
Other ideas or suggestions??
Thanks

The picture shows the back of the central gauge (copy right unknown ). You will need to remove the little board to access the electromagnet.

Best regards

[Fred S.]

Re: 1970 Seat Belt Warning Light

Thanks to everyone on their replies this problem.
Roberto L. sent a photo of the rear of the cluster which I am in the process of disassembling to access the switch.
I will let everyone know if this works out.
Fred S.

[Fred S.]

Re: 1970 Seat Belt Warning Light

I removed the center gauge cluster in order to access the seat belt light module.
There are two screws that hold it in place.
Upon removal, I used an ignition file on the contacts and also cleaned up all the connections.
It now works the way it it supposed to - ignition switch on / seat belt light on - push the buttion / seat belt light off.
That is worth (6) NCRS points!
Thanks to everyone for their help.
Regards,
Fred Sarbello