I got my seatbelt wrapped around the seat lifter! and now I can't get it to release. I feel like such an goober.

So how do I fix this? What tool do I need to release the anchor at the bottom? Or go to the dealer?

 

Post some pictures, we might be able to help if we have a better idea of what the situation looks like...

 

And the seat is back as far as it goes.

 

You can't get some slack by pulling the belt from the top ?

 

No slack at all, I even had someone else look at it. I can't be the only one this has happened to, but if I am it wouldn't surprise me.

 

Ha... love the sense of humor !

There has to be a way to pop off that seat raising lever. Did you feel under the seat to see if there is an easy way to loosen it and pop it off ? Not near a MINI now or I'd check for you.

 

Just disconnect the bottom of the seatbelt where it is bolted into the floor.

 

Would a prying tool or screwdriver covered with electrical tape remove that round cover in the center of the lever? I'm guessing but that might be how to get to how the lever attaches to the seat.

 

My Bently manual doesn't show anything, but you do have access to the front mount bolts, so maybe you can loosen them and tilt the seat back far enough to get the seat belt to release.

 

Raise the seat via the ratchet, that should reduce the distance on the belt allowing the emergency hold to release.

- Erik

 

ooh good one Erik! That reminds me of the riddle about the truck that's a little too tall to go under the bridge, instead of unloading it let air out of the tires. A more simple and elegant solution.

Really hoping something works for OP.

 

That's what I think

 

Seriously? This is an issue? Porthos has the answer.

 

 

I tried this, but I wasn't strong enough and or have enough leverage.

I'll look at removing the handle, got a bunch of other things that have to be done first.

I'll let you know how I resolve this.

Thanks for the ideas.

 

Wait so what you are telling me is you didn't have a big enough wrench? Seriously this is about the only way you are going to do it. The rest is going to tear stuff up.

 

The floor/seatbelt bolt likely has some locktite on it...
Some heat will usually soften it allowing you to remove the bolt, but since the strap/carpets are close, this may be troublesome....

 

This is the best way IMO...

 

Yeah, I posted the official BMW instructions. Why is everybody still discussing the anchor bolt? You only need to pop off the cover on the handle and unscrew a couple of screws.

 

 

LOL @ Porthos!

This is the kind of thing that happens to me all the time.



I would go to the dealer.
Good luck!

 

I removed the right side front seat belt anchor bolt when I installed my harness. The funny thing was that the internal head of the fastener was different on the front passenger side than any of the other 3. That one was very difficult to turn / remove. Good thing I have all the star drive tools.

To get your seat belt free try removing the handle or get the proper tool and remove the seat belt.

This problem is one of those style over substance details that Mini is known for.

 

I am all for DYI, but your vehicle is a 2012, and clearly you don't have the tools or experience to do this yourself. Just bite the bullet and take it to the dealer and tell them something funny happened. They'll pop off the handle or undo the anchor bolt and it'll be fixed in no time. While it certainly isn't a defect or warranty issue, I would guess they'd just chalk it up to good customer service.

 

I never experianced your particular problem, but my pants leg was constantly getting snagged by that blasted handle. This was my solution.

Blasted pants catching handle delete.

http://

 

That's the nicest BPCH delete I've ever seen! OK so maybe it's the only one, but it's a nice clean solution. With a little plasti-dip it would practically disappear.