V8 Vantage - stuck seatbelt

[Moonhawk]

Anyone had this?

I went out in the car today, stopped at a shop and when I got back in, The seatbelt wouldn't budge - it’s locked in a fully retracted position.

I opened the hood and can see down to where the retraction mechanism is and it doesn't look tangled or anything. The ratchet does rock back and forth slightly when I pull the seatbelt, but it wont release.

Is there any way to easily reach the mechanism to release it. I’m guessing I need to remove one of the internal panels behind the drivers seat.

Alternatively, it may be that there isn't enough play in the seatbelt to retract it far enough back from where it is now to release the mechanism. Is it possible to unfix it from the seat end to give more belt to play with and perhaps jimmy it free.

Cheers.

Edited by Moonhawk on Sunday 26th January 20:11

[Moonhawk]

Cheers for the suggestions - i'll take another look at the weekend and see what can be done.

Failing that - it might be a trip over to Macclesfield.

[Moonhawk]

Went to take a look at it today after it being garaged for a week, after a couple of light tugs it miraculously freed itself.

Really odd, but at least it's saved me an expensive trip to the workshop