Sunday, 16 January 2011

Britax Isofix Duo Plus Installation Problem

I've got a Britax Isofix Duo Plus, which I have occasionally had a problem with. To install it you:
  • pull the big green handle at the base on the back (OK so far)
  • guide the two catch arms into the insertion guides until the system latches and the locks engage (still OK)
  • Now you're supposed to turn the little green handle on the front and push the child seat back whilst the catch arms click to lock it into place (problem here)
The problem is that the the little green handle will not turn, and the child seat will not push back to fix the child seat firmly and safely into the car seat.

To fix this problem I put the seat into it's fully tilted position to give maximum visibility of the internal workings. Then I used a torch to look at the problem. I saw that there are two bolt heads on both sides to stop the big green handle from pulling too far either way. What was happening was that the tray attached to the big green handle had somehow pulled past the bolt head that should have stopped it from going any further. The fix was simple I just pushed a the plastic tray attached to the big green handle down so that it was released, free to go back between the two bolt heads. I used a broom handle for this.

Disclaimer: Note that I am not suggesting that you do this on your Britax car seat. You should get someone qualified to look at your seat if there's a problem with it. Certainly don't come to me if you decide to fix a problem on your Britax car seat and end up damaging it. Just want to be clear on that.