512TR 1992 USA Model Passive Restraint

Has the seat belt recall been done on the car? When I bought mine last year, it was in the same condition. Repair was done by dealer N/C because of design/mfr defect. Check with your local dealer...

 

Two things (if it isn't just a case of a real failure needing the recall Bob suggested):

Have you confirmed that the "mouse" is still actually connected to the drive mechanism that moves inside the channel? (You can also compare to the Driver's side for fit/play/feel -- e.g., it shouldn't be bound up super-tight)

Have you tried turning the battery cut-off switch to "off" for a minute or two and then back to "on"? I'm not sure if your 512TR seat belt ECUs are the same as a TR, but on a TR they seem to be smart enough to detect when there's been a problem and then they won't even try to move again unless the power is cycled off and back on (and the way they are wired is to be always powered "on" if the battery is connected). Can only assume it gives some sort of "reset" to the ECUs -- just a thought as an easy test to try (if it doesn't mess up your Motronic system memory).

 

This is why I installed manual belts on my TR.....I just hate those motorized systems.

 

Is any one uptehr knows if that system can be replaced with a more practical and reliable system ?
I do have a 92 TR also.

 

Guys, contact the dealer and see if the recall has been done, it's free for crying out loud. If that still doesn't fix the problem then look for another solution. But I have to agree the mouse is not an elegant piece of machinery.

 

Even after the recall they haven't exactly been trouble free.

I agree that the recall should be the place to start unless you are one of many that doesn't want to live with the dumb things, working properly or not.
If you are one of those, the TR still has the mounts for the std 3 point belts in place and the hardest part of the operation to switch them back is to modify the interior panels to cover up the various holes slots etc left by the passive system.

I dont recall with certainty if that is true of the 512 as well, but I bet it is.

 

Well, it was worth a shot.

I'm in the predicament that my system is actually working well, and your experience ("recall has been done") only reinforces my fear that Brian expressed about the recall not being trouble-free (in addition to knowing how "fragile" an F interior is and not wanting an apprentice doing the work).

Good luck with your "2nd recall"...

 

Jeff from Michigan "carguay", You actually did change the motorized system with a manual system.
Is the one you installed on your TR is the three point systm ?
If is the three point system, can I do same on my 92TR ?
Can you show us more such as pics or name brand and were did you purchase the system.
Thanks
raul

 

Yes, I installed a 3 point system. I removed the mouse tracks from the door jams and A-Pillar area. Not a lot you can do here really, just pull out the tracks themselves. I also removed the seat belt ECUs and their associated hardware. I bought a black seat belt set from JC Whitney of all places. The biggest problem I had was where to put the retractor mechanism. Ideally it should go just below the rear side windows, but I couldn't get everything to align just right, the belts wanted to drag across fragile interior panels...no good. So I ended up putting the retractors down on the door sills, inside the original lap belt retractor area. The problem I encountered was the new retractors were bigger and wouldn't allow the leather covered pieces to screw back into place properly. I spent hours grinding away on the retractor housings/frames and stuff to get them to fit inside without problems. All TRs have anchoring locations for standard belts, so there's no worry about the integrity of the installation. So when you sit in my TR you grab the seat belt down at the bottom of the door sill and pull it up and over your lap. It would be better to reach up at your shoulder and pull it across but I just couldn't get things to work out that way with the U.S. version interior panels.

I would like to convert my next TR to OEM 3-point belts, and have put out some inquiries into parts availability. I will also need a Euro-style center console lid without the two slots in it like to crappy U.S. version lid has. I already have the Euro-version console storage tray. I think even early U.S. TRs had the standard belts....the motorized versions came along in 1987 I think. So if anyone out there knows of some early/euro TR seat belts and console lid in brown please please please let me know.

 

I'll try and attach a pic. When I originally did the change over I posted several pics...I don't know if they'd be in the archives or not. I can't seem to find them now. Hopefully this pic will show up okay.
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You got it far too easy over the pond, here in UK we can pull our own safety belts on

 

Yeah....easy till things go wrong that is. If you can find a belt set and/or center console lid (brown) over there for sale please let me know.

 

Boy Jerry, I'l go for some of that equipment to make a 'normal' restraint system for my tr. If you get some response from the Euro gang....I'l take some of the stuff if you cam make a package deal.