My damn seat belt grabber won't grab my seatbelt

jmeas · 09-20-2011, 10:50 AM

i've got a e92 coupe. never noticed how convenient these things were until they stopped grabbing the seatbelt for me. now its a pain in the ass to grab and reach back every time.

i'm referring to the little arm that comes out and pushes the seatbelt up for you when you jump into the car. the arm comes out, barely catches the belt, the drops it and moves forward past it.

the seatbelt isn't twisted up or in any awkward position that would allow it to not grab correctly. anyone know how to fix this?

Timothy J · 09-20-2011, 11:45 AM

Is it caught on the bottom slider near the floor?

jmeas · 09-20-2011, 11:51 AM

nope that area is clear and it slides perfectly fine across that section

Daya · 09-20-2011, 12:13 PM

it is hit and miss for whatever reason, my driver's side catches probably 8/9 out of 10 times. the passenger side 6/7 out of 10 times.

I am not in my car right now (obviously), can you adjust the height of the seat belt itself to change the angle of where the belt hangs?

Nalod · 09-20-2011, 12:15 PM

I usually grab it before it has a chance to push it to me.

jmeas · 09-20-2011, 12:17 PM

mine stopped grabbing both passenger and driver 100% of the time the past month
i saw someone posted saying it was a defect after the belt gets pushed so many times, i becomes too soft n flexed, i was thinking, what if you added almost a small padded cushion low profile wrap around the area it grabs. maybe that would give it something firm and a bit wider to grab onto, thoughts?

PKL · 09-20-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmeas

mine stopped grabbing both passenger and driver 100% of the time the past month
i saw someone posted saying it was a defect after the belt gets pushed so many times, i becomes too soft n flexed, i was thinking, what if you added almost a small padded cushion low profile wrap around the area it grabs. maybe that would give it something firm and a bit wider to grab onto, thoughts?

Not a bad idea.

but, E90 FTW!

jmeas · 09-20-2011, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PKL

Not a bad idea.

but, E90 FTW!

ouch.

well played sir. well played.

elim11 · 09-20-2011, 04:07 PM

I had this exact same problem..twice. Just bring it to the dealer. They will replace the seat belt. That fixes it. Yes its an annoying problem.

335iFab · 09-20-2011, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elim11

I had this exact same problem..twice. Just bring it to the dealer. They will replace the seat belt. That fixes it. Yes its an annoying problem.

+1

my driver side one would come out but the "extender" thingy did not engage, was under warrenty and they fixed it. Also gave me a new cup holder too cause mine came out too slow

Gator328i · 09-20-2011, 08:10 PM

I've found that I have to manually retract the seat belt all the way so there's no slack in it before I get out of the car so that the next time I get in it, it's taut enough to catch on the extender arm.

If there's any slack in it at all, the extender won't grab it and push it forward. I kind of wonder why BMW didn't just make a bigger hook to catch it with. Then it wouldn't even be an issue.

ScaredOnce · 09-20-2011, 08:13 PM

They replaced the seatbelt butler, the seatbelt and whatever else inside the door frame for me under warranty.

I just said that 1 outa 5 times it wouldn't work and they said no worries.

J3NGOe90 · 09-20-2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bargamon

I usually grab it before it has a chance to push it to me.

+1

J3NGOe90 · 09-20-2011, 08:18 PM

my driver side catches 1-2 out of 10, but passenger side never misses 10 out of 10

J3NGOe90 · 09-20-2011, 08:22 PM

i think its because seatbelt gets old and smooth, but seatbelt catcher works perfectly

Fortyb · 09-20-2011, 08:24 PM

Watch where the extender touches the Seat belt and apply crazy glue in that area, this will harden the seat belt so the thingy can grab it. Wait for it to dry and test it...Worked for me.

Jon2168 · 09-20-2011, 11:33 PM

I just pulled the fuse out on mines so the bulter arm wouldn't come out no more. I know someday one of my drunk friends will get in the car and break that thing.

jw95275 · 09-20-2011, 11:48 PM

Got mine fixed under warranty. Worked every time after the fix.

e90Luis · 09-21-2011, 10:26 AM

I just took mine to get replaced under warranty. Works great now!

jmeas · 09-21-2011, 10:36 AM

im pretty sure im out of my warranty but i'll take it in and give it a shot. if not, here comes the crazy glue

Atomicteal_M3 · 09-21-2011, 11:51 AM

I took mine in today for the same problem, and just to give everybody heads up. CPO warranty does not cover seat belt replacement!

Blubaron79 · 09-21-2011, 11:58 AM

I had the SAME problem. It is the seatbelt itself. The dealer said it because 'to supple', and not firm enough for the arm to grab it. You will need to have the whole seatbelt replaced to fix this.

09-20-2011, 10:50 AM	#1
jmeas Captain 34 Rep 844 Posts Drives: '07 e92 328i Crimson Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2007 328i e92 [5.50]	My damn seat belt grabber won't grab my seatbelt i've got a e92 coupe. never noticed how convenient these things were until they stopped grabbing the seatbelt for me. now its a pain in the ass to grab and reach back every time. i'm referring to the little arm that comes out and pushes the seatbelt up for you when you jump into the car. the arm comes out, barely catches the belt, the drops it and moves forward past it. the seatbelt isn't twisted up or in any awkward position that would allow it to not grab correctly. anyone know how to fix this?
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09-20-2011, 11:45 AM	#2
Timothy J Captain 49 Rep 752 Posts Drives: Too much Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hudson Valley, NY iTrader: (1)	Is it caught on the bottom slider near the floor? __________________ 2001 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 2003 VW Jetta TDI 2012 BMW F800GS 2024 BMW M2 BSM 6MT Carbon Package
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09-20-2011, 11:51 AM	#3
jmeas Captain 34 Rep 844 Posts Drives: '07 e92 328i Crimson Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2007 328i e92 [5.50]	nope that area is clear and it slides perfectly fine across that section
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09-20-2011, 12:13 PM	#4
Daya Lieutenant Colonel 200 Rep 1,741 Posts Drives: e92 335 space gray/coral red Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 E92 335 [9.66]	it is hit and miss for whatever reason, my driver's side catches probably 8/9 out of 10 times. the passenger side 6/7 out of 10 times. I am not in my car right now (obviously), can you adjust the height of the seat belt itself to change the angle of where the belt hangs? __________________ GIAC S2 \| Brembo GT BBK 355/345 \| BBS CH-R \| Michelin Pilot Super Sports \| AR Design: DP, S1 Oil Cooler, OCC \| AMS FMIC \| Bastuck Quad Exhaust \| Borla MP \| KW V1 \| Stett: CAI, CP \| Forge DV \| P3 Boost Gauge \| Arkym: Front Lip, Rear Quad Diffuser \| Vorsteiner CSL Trunk \| LUX H8 \| ModMyNav \| MFD M3 Sideskirts \| BMW M-Tech Front/Rear Bumpers, Edition Grills
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09-20-2011, 12:15 PM	#5
Nalod Major 79 Rep 1,073 Posts Drives: 2013 535i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NorthCarolina iTrader: (0)	I usually grab it before it has a chance to push it to me.
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09-20-2011, 12:17 PM	#6
jmeas Captain 34 Rep 844 Posts Drives: '07 e92 328i Crimson Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2007 328i e92 [5.50]	mine stopped grabbing both passenger and driver 100% of the time the past month i saw someone posted saying it was a defect after the belt gets pushed so many times, i becomes too soft n flexed, i was thinking, what if you added almost a small padded cushion low profile wrap around the area it grabs. maybe that would give it something firm and a bit wider to grab onto, thoughts?
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09-20-2011, 04:07 PM	#9
elim11 Major 424 Rep 1,325 Posts Drives: e90m3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: irvine/sf iTrader: (13)	I had this exact same problem..twice. Just bring it to the dealer. They will replace the seat belt. That fixes it. Yes its an annoying problem. __________________
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09-20-2011, 08:10 PM	#11
Gator328i Second Lieutenant 56 Rep 235 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue E92 328i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gainesville, FL iTrader: (0)	I've found that I have to manually retract the seat belt all the way so there's no slack in it before I get out of the car so that the next time I get in it, it's taut enough to catch on the extender arm. If there's any slack in it at all, the extender won't grab it and push it forward. I kind of wonder why BMW didn't just make a bigger hook to catch it with. Then it wouldn't even be an issue. __________________
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09-20-2011, 08:13 PM	#12
ScaredOnce Very Important 20 Rep 450 Posts Drives: 335xi (e92) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: PIT iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335xi (e92) [9.00] 2008 Pontiac G8 GT [4.00] 2002 Pontiac Grand ... [0.00] 2001 Cadillac, Eldo ... [0.00]	They replaced the seatbelt butler, the seatbelt and whatever else inside the door frame for me under warranty. I just said that 1 outa 5 times it wouldn't work and they said no worries.
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09-20-2011, 08:18 PM	#14
J3NGOe90 Banned 57 Rep 772 Posts Drives: e92 335i 6speed MT only! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: brooklyn iTrader: (2)	my driver side catches 1-2 out of 10, but passenger side never misses 10 out of 10
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09-20-2011, 08:22 PM	#15
J3NGOe90 Banned 57 Rep 772 Posts Drives: e92 335i 6speed MT only! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: brooklyn iTrader: (2)	i think its because seatbelt gets old and smooth, but seatbelt catcher works perfectly
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09-20-2011, 08:24 PM	#16
Fortyb M-GAM3 240 Rep 1,264 Posts Drives: 2016 SO M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Huntsville,Al/WHO DAT iTrader: (3)	Watch where the extender touches the Seat belt and apply crazy glue in that area, this will harden the seat belt so the thingy can grab it. Wait for it to dry and test it...Worked for me. __________________ Car Enthusiast.
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09-20-2011, 11:33 PM	#17
Jon2168 Private 4 Rep 82 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW E92 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW E92 [0.00]	I just pulled the fuse out on mines so the bulter arm wouldn't come out no more. I know someday one of my drunk friends will get in the car and break that thing. __________________ 2008 E92 335i Coupe \| Space Gray \| Coral Red Leather \| Aluminum Trim \| Premium \| Sport \| Navi \| Comfort Access \| Heated Seats \| iPod USB \| Logic7 \| PDC \| Rear Shade \|
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09-20-2011, 11:48 PM	#18
jw95275 Private First Class 13 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 2013 Audi S5 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	Got mine fixed under warranty. Worked every time after the fix.
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09-21-2011, 10:26 AM	#19
e90Luis Private First Class 68 Rep 193 Posts Drives: F97 2020 X3MC Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1)	I just took mine to get replaced under warranty. Works great now!
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09-21-2011, 10:36 AM	#20
jmeas Captain 34 Rep 844 Posts Drives: '07 e92 328i Crimson Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2007 328i e92 [5.50]	im pretty sure im out of my warranty but i'll take it in and give it a shot. if not, here comes the crazy glue
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09-21-2011, 11:51 AM	#21
Atomicteal_M3 Brigadier General 748 Rep 4,429 Posts Drives: E90 M3 AW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: FT. Bragg, NC. iTrader: (28) Garage List 2007 335i [9.00]	I took mine in today for the same problem, and just to give everybody heads up. CPO warranty does not cover seat belt replacement! __________________ ModeCarbon V1 CF lip/PF AG CF SS ext./ARKYM CF Diffuser/OSS AE's/B&G Springs/CF Performance Spoiler/V2 Led Performance SW/Meisterschaft GT exhaust
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09-21-2011, 11:58 AM	#22
Blubaron79 Brigadier General 1433 Rep 4,724 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i xDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	I had the SAME problem. It is the seatbelt itself. The dealer said it because 'to supple', and not firm enough for the arm to grab it. You will need to have the whole seatbelt replaced to fix this. __________________ Current: 2021 M340i xDrive Previous: '18 340i xDrive; '15 335 xDrive; '14 435i xDrive; '09 335 E92 xDrive
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