Tail light issue - Failed inspection - Advice??

[nokids]

Hi all, I new to Vipers so learning.

I recently imported a low mile 95 Gen-1 to Australia, and went for my roadworthy inspection today but it failed on 2 points, and hoping I can get some advice.

1- My tail lights and numberplate light dot appear to be operating, In Australia and I assume rest of world: when the head lights or parker lights are on the rear tail lights and number plate light to not operate?
- Any suggestions on what might be the root cause of this? all other lights function as expected.
-Could it be a fuse or something similar?
-Any idea where i could find a wiring diagram

2- In Australia the seatbelts must lock when pulled hard, IE: if in an accident they lock in position?
-Did the original 95 seatbelts do this?

-Any recommendations as to where i might be able to purchase replacements that do lock?


Much appreciate any support or advice

 

[maverickagm]

Re 2:
My 93 seat belts don't do this either. I'm 99.99% sure they are not defective and just came from the factory like this. Side note: The passanger side has an additional/alternative non-retracting adjustable lap belt. I believe this was intended for car seat use at the time.

I can't say anything regarding 1. Mine was imported to Canada so the lighting was modified to conform with daytime running lights requirements.

I'm sure you'll hear this eleventy-billion times, but get the service manual. Wiring diagrams are in there. I usually just order the cd to get the pdf file that's searchable. Dust off the old optical drive and transfer it to network storage or your phone so it's always handy. Aprox 50 usd on ebay.

 

[nokids]

Thanks for that.
Seatbelts have proven o be an issue, Looks like i need top get a custom set made to meet the local requirements... Nice little $1500 exercise..

I purchased a manual last night and worked through it, Checked globes, fuses, connectors, contactors etc..... Ended up being a touchy headlight switch... If you pull it 100% of the way out it deactivates the tail lights... if you pull it out 98% they work.... must be a worn contactor or something in the plug... im going to put a label that says "Only retract 95% of pull" and hopefully it will pass.

 

[maverickagm]

Oh weird. Good on you for finding that electrical gremlin.

The 92-96 headlight switch is a comman and inexpensive part. It's not hard to get at either. 5 screws to remove the knee bolster. As for the pull rod, you just reach your hand above the headlight switch and there's a button you hold down that allows the pull rod to fully come out.

 

[Goggles Pizano]

I would first try to get a letter from the manufacturer about the belts but possibly not going to happen.

Just goto a scrap yard and get belts that 'fit', pass inspection then put the original back in.

But if the belt doesn't lock from a rapid pull, you have a problem and a big safety problem.

 

[SecureOpossum]

Would a set of belts from a later model that has the tensioner work, instead of getting custom belts made?

 

[MoparMap]

I suspect the early belts must have some kind of "triggered" locks or something like that. I can't imagine they wouldn't lock up in an accident. I know some belts use small explosive charges to lock them in an accident. I think a lot of them nowadays still do as you can see in crash test footage where the belts will pull tight. I don't see any way you could have a one piece belt with no manual tightener not have some way of locking in an accident.

Granted, that doesn't necessarily fix your problem if that's the requirement, but I would wonder if they wouldn't allow it if they knew it had a means of locking under impact and not just a "hard pull".

 

[Goggles Pizano]

It is not just a 'hard pull' but a rapid pull.

 

[VIPER PIT]

The seat belts are inertia activated. Go for a drive with your hand tugging the belt and hit the brakes. They will lock up.

 

[batmanx68]

I’ve had this issue with seat belts here in oz with a few cars (including a viper) with inspections….you’d think that if you were paid to inspect vehicles, you would understand that if you are testing a ball-and-ramp/pendulum style seat belt, you can tug on the belt all day and it will not lock. Before you go spending thousands on refitting with centrifugal ones, (that’s IF a direct replacement even exists) try explaining to the dumb-ass (maybe don’t use those words!) that your seat belts require the VEHICLE to change speed to activate the locking mechanism before a “tug” on the belt will lock it up. Good luck