Chevrolet Equinox Service Manual: #05-09-40-002G: Safety Belt Locking Conditions (Normal Operating Characteristics) - (Jun 18, 2013) Primary Seat Belts

Subject:	Safety Belt Locking Conditions (Normal Operating Characteristic)
Models:	2005-2014 GM Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks

This bulletin has been revised to add the 2013-2014 model years. Please discard CorporateBulletin Number 05-09-40-002F.

The purpose of this bulletin is to explain when the safety belts are supposed to lock.There are several different locking situations for both front and rear safety belts.

Overspool Lock

There is an unintentional locking condition that ALL safety belts from ALL manufacturersmay experience called “overspool lock.” If the webbing snaps back to the stowed positionrapidly enough, the retractor will lock with the belt fully stowed. This is more likelyto occur when customers “help” the belt to retract. Without the weight of the latchplate and friction to slow the retractive speed of the webbing, the higher than normalwebbingretraction speed that occurs engages the locking mechanism when a sudden stop occursat the end of web travel. Since the webbing is now fully loaded on the spool, theretractor cannot rewind itself further to release the locking mechanism. When thishappens, the occupant cannot extract the belt to wear it. DO NOT replace the retractor for this condition until first attempting to disengagethe locking mechanism by followingthe recommendation listed below.

Recommendation

Pull hard on the locked webbing and then release. The hard pull extracts a small amountof webbing from the retractor which, in turn, permits a small amount of retractionto occur when released. This is all that is needed to disengage the locking mechanism.The safety belt will now function properly.

Vehicle Sensing

This type of locking occurs in response to the vehicle under the following conditions:

The vehicle changes speed or direction abruptly (the vehicle goes into rapid accelerationOR rapid deceleration or there is aggressive cornering).It can also occur in a static condition when a vehicle is parked on a large slant(fore-aft or side-to-side), such as streets in San Francisco, California.It may also occur over rough road conditions where the retractor mechanism is bouncedinto a locked condition.

In all of these conditions, as long as tension is maintained on the webbing, the beltwill stay locked. When the tension is released, the belt retracts slightly, the lockbar disengages and the safety belt should return to normal function. Please informcustomers that may comment that “the belt locks intermittently” that this is the designintent and the belt is functioning properly.

Web Sensing

This type of locking occurs in response to the extraction of webbing. When the webbingreels out at an accelerated rate, it goes into lock mode and stays there until tensionis again released. To observe this condition, extract the webbing quickly. Customersmay refer to this condition as “intermittent lock-up” and encounter it when tryingto put the belt on too quickly.

Automatic Locking (ALR)

When the webbing is pulled all the way out, it automatically converts the retractorinto a cinch-down mode (i.e. ALR). This is typically used to tightly secure a childseat to the vehicle. Some customers may experience inadvertent activation of ALR modeif they happen to pull the belt all the way out to the end of travel while they areputting the belt on. The ALR mode of operation is automatically cancelled when thebelt is unfastenedand stowed (the belt returns to normal sensitive function).

The ALR locking mode is also provided at the driver's position of the Corvette only, as a unique feature. Corvette customers may find this feature appealing when theyplan to operate the vehicle in a “spirited” manner (such as driving in mountainousterrain). With the ALR active, the operator is snugly cinched into the seat and keptfirmly in place during high G-force driving maneuvers.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians,NOT a "do-it-yourselfer".  They are written to inform thesetechnicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or toprovide information that could assist in the proper service of avehicle.  Properly trained technicians have the equipment,tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly andsafely.  If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that thebulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will havethat condition.  See your GM dealer for information on whetheryour vehicle may benefit from the information.

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