I have a 98 S320, the front passenger seatbelts do not always retract as they should once fastened or when to door is opened. If you move or lean forward the seatbelt stays in that extended position (it does not retract). Any ideas on what to check first? Thanks

 

Usually they are twisted somewhere and it is usually behind the panel, so the whole thing has to come off. The other possibility is the retractor has lossened and is not vertical. In order for the retractor to work correctly it has to be perfectly vertical, also need to take the panel off. Try pulling out as much of the seat belt as you can to see if you can find a twist or it is bent over itself, if you get lucky and find one or the other you untwist or unbend the overlap and they should work. If not it is the retractor and if it is vertical it has to be replaced. Mercedes is very strict about not repairing retractror, if they don't work correctly they are replaced, as a safety factor for the tech and you as the driver. They are spring loaded and could do some damage to ones body, if you start fooling around with them.

 

was it really W140?

what's your first 6 digit VIN (except WDB).