Volkswagen Golf / Golf GTI / Golf Variant. Manual - part 341

1.11

Seat Belts, Checking

WARNING

After every accident the seat belt system must be inspected

systematically!  If  damage  is  determined  at  any  inspection

point, the customer must be informed that it is necessary to

replace the seat belt.

Inspection Points
♦ Check the seat belt webbing. Refer to

⇒ “1.12 Seat Belt Webbing, Checking”, page 12

 .

♦ Check the automatic belt retractor (locking function). Refer to

⇒ “1.13 Automatic Belt Retractor (Locking Function), Check‐

ing”, page 13

 .

♦ Visual inspection of the seat belt latch. Refer to

⇒ “1.14 Seat Belt Latch, Visually Inspecting”, page 14

 .

♦ Seat belt latch function test. Refer to

⇒ “1.15 Seat Belt Latch, Function Test”, page 14

 .

♦ Check the seat belt relays and belt tongue. Refer to

⇒ “1.16 Seat Belt Relays and Belt Tongue, Checking”,

page 14

 .

♦ Check the fasteners and mounting points. Refer to

⇒ “1.17 Fasteners and Mounting Points, Checking After a Col‐

lision”, page 15

 .

♦ Check the function of the child seat anchorage for additional

child seats (not for the driver safety belt). Refer to

⇒ “1.18 Seat Belt for Child Seat, Checking Child Seat Restraint

Function, Market-Specific”, page 15

 .

Caution

If customer refuses to have a damaged seat belt replaced, an

appropriate note should be made in the maintenance schedule

booklet.

1.12

Seat Belt Webbing, Checking

Procedure
– Pull the belt completely out of the automatic belt retractor or

lap belt adjustment tongue.

– Check the seat belt webbing for contamination, wash with mild

soapy water if necessary. Refer to the Owner's Manual.

• If one of the types of damage (1 and 2) shown in the following

is detected on a vehicle which has been in an accident - re‐

place the entire seat belt with seat belt latch.

• If one kind of damage under points 1, 2, 3 and 4 is detected

on a vehicle which has not been in an accident, only the dam‐

aged seat belt needs to be replaced.

• 1 - Seat belt webbing cut, torn or frayed.
• 2 - Webbing loops on seat belt edge torn.
• 3 - Burn marks from cigarettes or similar.
• 4 - One side of belt edge deformed or area of belt edge is wavy.

1.13

Automatic Belt Retractor (Locking Func‐

tion), Checking

The automatic belt retractor has two locking functions.
♦ The first locking function is initiated by the belt being jerked

out of the automatic belt retractor (belt extraction accelera‐

tion).

Test 1
– Pull the seat belt webbing out of the automatic belt retractor

with a firm jerk.

• No locking effect - replace the entire seat belt with seat belt

latch.

• If malfunctions are experienced when pulling out or retracting

belt, first check whether position of the automatic belt retractor

has been altered.

• The second locking function is initiated by change in vehicle

velocity (vehicle-dependent locking function).

Test 2

WARNING

For safety reasons, road test should be carried out on traffic-

free stretch to ensure that other drivers/pedestrians etc. are not

endangered.

– Fasten the seat belt.
– Accelerate the vehicle to 20 km/h (12 mph) and then perform

a hard braking maneuver with the foot brake.

• Replace the entire seat belt with the seat belt latch if the seat

belt is not locked by locking mechanism during the braking

procedure.

1.14

Seat Belt Latch, Visually Inspecting

– Inspect the seat belt latch for the formation of cracks and frac‐

turing.

• If damaged, replace the entire seat belt with seat belt latch.

1.15

Seat Belt Latch, Function Test

Seat Belt Latch, Checking
– Insert the belt tongue into the seat belt latch until it clicks into

place. Check whether the locking mechanism is properly en‐

gaged by giving the seat belt webbing a firm jerk.

• Replace the entire seat belt with the seat belt latch if the belt

tongue fails even once to engage properly in the seat belt latch

during at least five tests.

Release, Checking
– Press the seat belt latch to release the seat belt. With the seat

belt relaxed, the lock tongue must spring out of seat belt latch

without assistance.

• Perform the test at least five times. Replace the entire seat belt

with the seat belt latch if the belt tongue fails to spring out even

once.

WARNING

Under  no  circumstances  may  grease  be  used  to  eliminate

noise or stiffness at seat belt latch buttons.

1.16

Seat Belt Relays and Belt Tongue,

Checking

The plastic-covered guides show fine parallel scoring after strain‐

ing of the belt system (belt was fastened during accident). (Wear

from frequent belt use can be identified by smooth signs of wear

that are free of scoring.)
– Check plastic for deformation, rupture and the formation of

cracks.

• For groove build-up and/or damage, replace the entire seat

belt with the seat belt latch.

1.17

Fasteners and Mounting Points, Check‐

ing After a Collision

♦ Seat belt latch tongue deformed (stretched).
♦ Height adjustment not functional.
♦ Mounting points (seat, pillar, vehicle floor) distorted or threads

damaged.

• If damage is found on the components, replace the entire seat

belt with the seat belt latch.

• If parts of the seat belt system are removed due to an accident,

replace the belt system bolts.

• Replace the mounting points.

Note

In damage is discovered that is not accident-related, for example,

wear, replace only the particular part which is damaged.

1.18

Seat Belt for Child Seat, Checking Child

Seat Restraint Function, Market-Specif‐

ic

To Check the Function, You Must Install the Entire Belt System,

including the Side Trim Panel.
Hold Function, Switching On
♦ Pull out the seat belt all the way.
Proper Function
♦ The belt must retract with a chattering sound.
♦ If the retracting process is stopped, the belt cannot be pulled

out anymore.

Switching Off
♦ Belt retraction to about 100 mm remaining.
♦ Hold function must switch off with a remainder of 100 mm, at

the latest. The belt functions normally again.

If the seat belt child seat anchorage does not work, replace the

seat belt

1.19

Child Seat Anchors, Checking After Col‐

lision

Inspection Points
♦ Child seat anchors must be checked for damage or deforma‐

tion after a collision.

♦ Child seat anchors welded or bolted into the body or the seat

or backrest must not be repaired or straightened.

♦ Child seat anchors bolted into the body or the seat or backrest

must be replaced if damaged or deformed.

♦ Child seat anchors bolts should be replaced if bracket is dam‐

aged.