So, the driver's side front seat belt buckle (the "female" or receiver part) on my 97 Saturn SL1 (manual shift) won't latch. I suspect some crud has fallen into it and I hope to be able to take it apart and clean it out.

A) Once I get it off the car, will I be able to open it up and clean it out?

B) What other parts do I need to remove to get it off? Center console? Driver's seat?

C) If I have to remove the console, how do I remove the flexible cover around the gear shift?

Thanks much for any help on this! I'm trying to look at it and figure it out but it's kind of tight in there to see anything --

 

Isn't The female part of the seat belt bolted to the frame? Oh, that's right, it's up against the corner of the seat and The center console.

The center console is pretty simple to remove and when it comes off, the shifter cover stays attached to this shifter itself. There is just a square in the center console that fits over it.

I actually wrote up an article as a how-to-for one of my original writing samples ( I am a technical writer. I don't know If it ever got posted on the forum.. it's actually how to for replacing the shifter bushing but includes directions on taking off the center console without breaking ****.

I will post that later today to this thread.. I will also look up the directions for removing the seat belt. I would not be surprised at all if it is held in by either a t50 torx or an external torx since they really don't want you to screw with it.

I would not take it apart as it is a crucial safety item in your vehicle. Cleaning out while still fully assembled, maybe try with compressed air which will either blow the crap out of it or blow that crap further into it but that's the chance you take.

Should be able to find the replacement in good condition from a recent wreck. Most people don't ever replace them so they may be available at a GM parts website so look there first. I should be back around noon to post the stuff

 

Thanks so much, it's good to know that this forum is active enough that I may be able to get somewhere with this project -- !! Will stay tuned. Going to go look at the center console again...

 

When I was pulling the interior out of my '97 donor car I don't remember having to pull the center console. I believe the seat belt is held on with a torx as Derf said.
There's a good chance all you have to do is turn it upside down (once you get it out) and shake or bang it against something.
Twice now I've had a dime or a penny fall into a seat buckle jamming it up. Didn't take much to get it out.

 

I remember the part of the system that is anchored to the pillar just behind the front driver's seat is held on by a huge honking fastener with a t50 torx head. One of those fasteners they simply don't want you messing with. But anything can be done.

 

I had to replace the belt on my 2001 Sc2. I noticed it was made a little different, having a separate fabric covered panel than the headliner covering the mechanism.




192.168.100.1 192.168.1.1