Both seat belts stopped operating at the same time, they are locked in the position when they are not in use. Any helpful suggestions?

 

You probably have explosive retractors in those belts, and they may have detonated for some reason. Possibly a minor collision or a nasty bump set them off, or maybe a malfunction in the airbag module. The car is now 17 years old and anything is possible.

You are probably going to need to replace the units but finding good parts might be a challenge. Being that they are essential to the safety of the car, you might be able to find replacement parts at the dealership. Can't hurt to ask.

 

Regular preventive maintenance is probably the single thing you can do as a car owner to keep your ride happy and save money on repairs in the future. However, not everyone agrees on what preventive maintenance is, what you should do, and when you should do it. Let's clear that up, and give you some tips that'll apply to any vehicle.
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PREVENTATIVE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE