Two relevant resources from TIS:
1) from TIS Tech Tip T-TT-0041-10 "Emergency Locking Retractor/Automatic Locking Retractor Seat Belt System Operation"
The customer states, “the seat belt seems to lock in place, whenever I…
• Lean all the way forward and then lean back into the seat or,
• Pull the seat belt completely out in order to get it buckled into the buckle.
This condition may be the result of a customer inadvertently activating the “Automatic Locking
Retractor” when they lean far enough forward or pull the seat belt all the way out of the retractor.
Explanation:
Toyota uses an Emergency Locking Retractor/Automatic Locking Retractor Seat Belt System
commonly referred to as an (ELR/ALR) seat belt. This design permits the occupant to convert the
seat belt from an Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) to an Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) by
completely extending the seat belt all the way out of the retractor until an audible click from the
retractor base is heard. Once the click is heard, the seat belt locks into the desired position.
Here’s how the ELR/ALR Seat Belt System works:
Emergency locking retractor (ELR)
The retractor is designed to lock the belt during a sudden stop or on impact or if the vehicle is facing
upward or downward at a steep angle such as the vehicle parked in a slanted driveway etc. It may
also lock if the occupant leans forward too quickly. A slow, easy motion will allow the belt to extend so
that the occupant can move around fully.
Automatic locking retractor (ALR)
When a passenger's shoulder belt is completely extended and then retracted even slightly, the belt
locks in that position and cannot be extended. This feature is used to hold the child restraint system
(CRS) firmly against the vehicle’s seating surfaces. Note that there is usually an audible click noise
from the retractor when the seat belt is pulled all the way out.
To free the belt from the locked position, push the button on the buckle to release the tab end of the
seat belt from the buckle and allow the belt to fully retract into the retractor mechanism so that there is
no tension on the belt (this action converts the retractor mechanism back to the ELR mode).
RECOMMENDATIONS
To verify that the seat belt is operating properly, follow the recommended diagnostic procedures
outlined in the repair manual “Installation Section” for the specific vehicle you are working on.
If a customer should complain about this feature, explain why the seat belt operates in this manner
and how to properly operate the ELR/ALR Seat Belt System.
2) from TIS Collision Repair Information "SEAT BELT REPLACEMENT AFTER A TRAFFIC COLLISION"
The following information provides guidelines for determining when occupant seat belts
should be replaced following a traffic collision.
The entire seat belt assembly (both the buckle and the tongue ends) should be replaced if
any of the following conditions exist:
The seat belt was in use during a severe impact (even if no damage to the belt is
obvious).
The seat belt warning label under the anchor and sleeve is exposed.NOTE: Not all Toyota vehicles are equipped with this type of warning label. Therefore, it
may be necessary to replace the seat belt even when no label has been exposed.
NOTE: Toyota assumes no responsibility or liability for the replacement of seat belts and/or
seat belt assemblies that were in use and subsequently damaged as the result of a traffic
collision, accident, or other calamity.
NOTE: PLEASE ROUTE THIS BULLETIN TO THE BODY SHOP MANAGER.
