I have a 2000 Ram 1500 extended cab. About the time the door light switch on the driver's side broke, I stopped being able to extend the seatbelt until I had turtned on the ignition switch. The dealer says there is no commection and wants to sell me a new seatbelt, but I am reluctant to just jump right in.... the connection seems too obvious. Is there some electrical connection to the seatbelt that allows it to extend after it has been sitting a while?

 

I guess I would tell you the same thing...
You need a seat belt retractor.

 

Okay... so why does it work when I turn on the ignition switch either to on or to accessory?

 

Let me consult a service manual.... I will get back to you.

(bored today)

 

Thanks, Dodgedlr. Appreciate any help you have.

 

I replaced the door switch, and the seatbelt now seems to work properly. The dealer has me scheduled to replace the retraction device that he ordered, and I am planning on cancelling that appointment. When he made the appointment I asked if the broken switch could possibly have been the problem, and his mechanic pretty much laughed at me, and wouldn't even come out of the shop to discuss the issue. So, before I cancel and inform him that it is acceptable to be ignorant of a subtle point in a complex system, but LETHAL to be both ignorant and arrogant, it would be great to have some confirmation that a wiring diagram shows some electrical connection to the seatbelt retraction mechanism.