RAM 2500 Truck 4WD V8-5.7L VIN D (2005)
Seat Belt Retractor: Description and Operation
AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR
The seat belt retractors used in all seating positions include an inertia-type, emergency locking mechanism (7) as standard equipment. However, the
retractor locking mechanism for the passenger side front seating position is 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 the passenger side front 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 passenger side front seat belt and retractor unit and is concealed beneath a molded plastic cover
located on the same side of the retractor spool as the seat belt tensioner housing. The retractor is secured to the inner B-pillar on the right side of the
vehicle and is concealed beneath the molded plastic inner B-pillar trim. 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 automatic locking mode of the 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 an 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 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 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.
