newowner

I just bought myself a 1994 Ford Tempo with 71,000 miles on it and it seems to be working fine but I can't figure out what these levers are for. Right above the e-brake are 2 levers that say "lift for seatbelt release" but when i lift them nothing seems to happen. When I lift them with the car on, a light flashes saying to lower them back down. What are these levers for?? Also, is there any way to detach the seat belts from the top like you can do on the 1993 Ford Escapes?? I assumed that was what those levers were for but i couldn't seem to get it to work.
If you could offer me any information i would really appreciate it. Thank you.

JarodMacintosh

I just picked up a '90 Tempo with 81,000 miles on it, and I had the same question. So I read the owners manual. It seems to be for releasing the seatbelt if it won't let you out. Like after an accident, or maybe parking on a hill.

newowner

Okay thank you. Mine didn't come with an owner's guide but that is helpful. thank you. So I'm assuming the seat belts cannot be disconnected from the top of the door like you can on a 1993 Escape??

Johnny Mullet

I had a Tempo with those stupid levers and I never really knew or cared what they were for. I don't think they can be disconnected from the door though.

In the back seat on the side panels are panels that can be removed to access the manual seatbelt crank to lock them back. I did that since mine did not work.

JarodMacintosh

You can get them off the top, but not by just pushing a button. I had ones like that in my escorts. Once in while the belt would lock-in on the bottom and the damn thing would pin me in. So I would guess that the levers would work easier than trying to reach up over your shoulder to push the button to get out.

slimpig

Ok, I have a 94 Topaz: and sometimes my auto seatbelt on the driver side won't work: what should I be looking for? This thing is very frustrating.