New seatbelts

[tvmaster]

That is the wire for the seat sensor that tells the interlock system if someone is sitting there.

Ok, that’s what I thought, but why would a car like this care?

 

[kmead]

It was the nag feature which the government required. There was also an interlock to keep the starter from working if the driver wasn’t buckled in. They weren’t reliable (as in often the car would not start even though buckled in) and were bypassed by dealers

 

[tvmaster]

It was the nag feature which the government required. There was also an interlock to keep the starter from working if the driver wasn’t buckled in. They weren’t reliable (as in often the car would not start even though buckled in) and were bypassed by dealers

Well, I realize they were govt. mandated. I actually think it's cool that a car this old and small and cheap had such high-tech electronics, at least for the time. But what is the actual, purposeful effect of the below-seat wiring when you sit in the seat? What does your butt trigger in those wires?

 

[dllubin]

It requires the belt to be on if someone is in the seat.

 

[tvmaster]

It requires the belt to be on if someone is in the seat.

Ah, so if the wires are properly connected, and you sit in the seat, the car won’t start if the belt’s not on? Hard core. Love it.

 

[kmead]

It was a crude system to sense a person in a seat.

All cars have them now if they have airbags, some can actually sense your weight for progressive airbags to accommodate a smaller individual.

 

[tvmaster]

And for anyone who wants to uncover the secrets, here you go. Interesting read:

1972 Imperial & Chrysler Seat Belt Warning System Service Repair Book from the Master Technician's Service Conference (Session 294)

www.web.imperialclub.info