RAM 1500 Truck 2WD V8-5.7L VIN 2 (2006)
Seat Belt Retractor: Description and Operation
The seat belt retractors used in all seating positions include an inertia-type, emergency locking mechanism (7) as standard equipment. However, the
retractor locking mechanisms for all seating positions except the driver's side front position are mechanically switchable from an emergency locking
retractor to an automatic locking retractor. The primary function of this feature is to securely accommodate a child seat in any seating position of the
vehicle without the need for a self-cinching seat belt tip half latch plate unit or another supplemental device that would be required to prevent the seat
belt webbing from unwinding freely from the retractor spool of an inertia-type emergency locking retractor mechanism.
The automatic locking mechanism is integral to the seat belt and retractor unit and is concealed beneath a molded plastic cover located on one side of the
retractor spool. The automatic locking mechanism cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the entire passenger side front seat belt and
retractor unit must be replaced.
The locked mode of the automatic locking retractor is engaged and the retractor is switched from operating as a standard inertia-type emergency locking
retractor by first buckling the combination lap and shoulder belt buckle. Then grasp the shoulder belt and pull all of the webbing out of the retractor.
Once all of the belt webbing is extracted from the spool, the retractor will automatically become engaged in the pre-locked automatic locking mode and
will make a light, audible clicking or ratcheting sound as the shoulder belt is allowed to retract to confirm that the automatic locking mode is now
engaged. Once the automatic locking mode is engaged, the retractor will remain locked and the belt will remain tight around whatever it is restraining.
The retractor is returned to standard emergency locking (inertia) mode by unbuckling the combination lap and shoulder belt buckle and allowing the belt
webbing to be almost fully retracted onto the retractor spool. The emergency locking mode is confirmed by the absence of the light, audible clicking or
ratcheting sound as the belt webbing retracts. This mode will allow the belt to unwind from and wind onto the retractor spool freely unless and until a
predetermined inertia load is sensed, or until the retractor is again switched to the automatic locking mode.
