Seat Belt Problem

[SteveD]

My drivers side seat belt won't release from the binnicle, the button is locked solid. It's a MK1 original - no wires. Any advice really appreciated as it looks a big job to get the binnicle out.

Steve

[sujitroy]

I have opened one up but not with the thing stuck. it's a bit fiddly. remove the ash tray I. the console part. remove the ash trays base. 2 screws. get a flash light and you will see a screw holding down the console. the screw is just by the rear base of the ash tray. slide console forward and out of the way. there is a nut and bolt holding the binnicle

[SteveD]

Thanks, I'll give it a try, but I don't know if I'll be able to release the belt.
Steve.

[jbuckl]

If it’s any help, new old stock mk1 binnicles used to be in good supply.
Tony White; TD fitchetts; tony hart had lots them …. I’m sure there will be some about still.
I bought one & took it apart, with a view to using the release buttons in a mk2 binnicle.
They were too different to use though.
might have some of the parts…. However I wouldn’t recommend trying to rebuild one.

[SteveD]

I have opened one up but not with the thing stuck. it's a bit fiddly. remove the ash tray I. the console part. remove the ash trays base. 2 screws. get a flash light and you will see a screw holding down the console. the screw is just by the rear base of the ash tray. slide console forward and out of the way. there is a nut and bolt holding the binnicle

Well that wasn't as bad as I feared. I didn't realise that the console was a separate part, I couldn't find the screw holding the console down but after vacuuming 50 years of crud there it was. A sharp blow with the hide mallet moved the console forward and I could unbolt the binnicle with the seat belt still attached. I still couldn't see what was jamming the release button, so another sharp blow with the mallet and everything freed. After some silicone lube the Britax binnicle seems to work just fine. I don't know what caused the problem perhaps it was heat related as the car was out in the sun for quite a while and the 50 year old mechanism just didn't like it!

Thanks for the advice, I did read the ROM but your description was much more helpful

Steve.

[new to this]

Try removing unbolting the seat belt and the buckle, it may be easier to dismantle while on the bench

Dave

[barkerwilliams]

If it is working ok and you decide to leave it in the car then buy one of those seat belt knives (often with a glass hammer) for use in an emergency. Just in case.

Alan

[SteveD]

Thanks for that, will do.
Steve.