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Seat Belt Retractor Does Not Fully Retract - Replace With New Design (91-T-26A)
Reference number: 91-T-26A
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DOES NOT FULLY RETRACT - REPLACE WITH NEW DESIGN
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
| SATURN: | 1991-92 |
| CORP. NO.: | 181603R |
| GROUP: | Body |
SUBJECT
Seat Belt Retractor Does Not Fully Retract (Replace Retractor with New Design) Some 1991 and 1992 Saturns
CONDITION
Some customers may comment that the seat belt retractor does not fully retract and the latch plate becomes trapped between the rocker sill and the front side door trim assembly when the door is closed. On Coupes, this condition may cause the front side door trim assembly to become scuffed.
CAUSE
Early model seat belt retractors did not retract completely, allowing the latch plate to become trapped between the rocker sill and the front side door trim assembly.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
If complaint is verified, check the part number of the seat belt retractor unit. (The seat belt retractor unit part number can be checked by extending the seat belt to its fully extended position. The part number is located on the cloth tag sewn-on the seat belt assembly.) If the part number is not one of the following, replace the seat belt assembly:
Production Part Numbers (not found in Service Parts Catalog)
21047386 P/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Med. Antelope (1992)
21047387 D/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Med. Antelope (1992)
21047176 P/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Med. Antelope (1991)
21047177 D/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Med. Antelope (1991)
21047178 P/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Very Dk Sapphire
21047179 D/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Very Dk Sapphire
21047180 P/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Blk St & Graphite
21047181 D/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Blk St & Graphite
21047174 P/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Med. Dk Gray
21047175 D/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Med. Dk Gray
21047182 P/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Neutral Gray
21047183 D/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Neutral Gray
At customer's request, replace seat belt retractor unit with the new design that fully retracts the seat belt reducing the chance of the retractor latch plate from becoming trapped between the rocker sill and the front side door trim assembly. On Coupes, replace the front side door trim assembly only if damage is evident.
PROCEDURES
Seat Belt Retractor Unit Replace seat belt retractor unit according to the "Front Seat La Belt Retractor" procedures in the "Safety Belts" section of the "Body/Collision Repair Service Manual." Front Side Door Trim Assembly Replace the front side door trim assembly according to the "Door Trim Panel" procedures in the "Doors" section of the "Body/Collision Repair Service Manual."
PARTS REQUIREMENTS
Service Replacement Numbers Seat Belt Retractor Unit
21047186 P/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Med. Antelope (1991)
21047187 D/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Med. Antelope (1991)
21047384 P/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Med. Antelope (1992)
21047385 D/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Med. Antelope (1992)
21047188 P/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Very Dk Sapphire
21047189 D/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Very Dk Sapphire
21047190 P/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Blk St & Graphite
21047191 D/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Blk St & Graphite
21047184 P/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Med. Dk Gray
21047185 D/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Med. Dk Gray
21047192 P/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Neutral Gray
21047193 D/Seat Belt Retractor Unit - Neutral Gray
Front Side Door Trim Assembly
21042568 R/Front Side Door Trim Assembly - Med. Antelope
21042569 L/Front Side Door Trim Assembly - Med. Antelope
21042570 R/Front Side Door Trim Assembly - Very Dk Sapphire
21042571 L/Front Side Door Trim Assembly - Very Dk Sapphire
21042566 R/Front Side Door Trim Assembly - Graphite
21042567 L/Front Side Door Trim Assembly - Graphite
CLAIM INFORMATION
To receive credit for this repair, submit a claim through the Saturn Dealer System, using the appropriate labor operation as follows:
| Case Type | Description | Labor Operation Code | Time | Other Hours (1) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VW | Right Front Safety Belt (Retractor Side) - R and R or Replace | C9040 | 0.6 hrs | 0.8 | ||
| VW | Left Front Safety Belt (Retractor Side) - R and R or Replace | C9041 | 0.6 hrs | 0.8 | ||
| VW | Both Front Safety Belts (Retractor Side) - R and R or Replace | C9047 | 1.0 hrs | 1.6 | ||
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NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.