How do u release the seat belt on a 98 ford escort?

You can't it is not designed that way. The seatbelt mechanism is damaged and needs to be replaced.

The picture is for a zetec. Let me know if wrong diagram?

The problem:
The set belt stop has been lost so the seat belt retracts too far when the seat is laid flat. When laid flat the release mechanism lock as it should when not level. So the seat cannot be raised up as the belt is too tight and locked.
The Solution:
1) Push the two little clips to release and remove the headrests.
Pull the grey lever on the right of the seat base, lift seat base up and forward toward the front seat..
2) See two red capped leversat the back of the two seat hinges and lever them to the upward position, this releases the seat.
Rock the very heavy seat unit upwards and lift complete unit upwards.
3) Take it out of the car and turn 180% so that the back of the seat and base are in the upward position and the seat belt will pull out as it should
4) Replace the missing belt locking stop (I used a tie pin permanently fixed using super glue).
5) Fold seat back down and test then either re-fit seat unit or leave out to decrease fuel consumption..

this is a simple repair many dont know. remove or pull off plastic pillar post cover, seatbelt probably twisted inside. twist it back around so it runs flat and lube slightly with a light lube spray on metal gearing. i had the same problem w mine pk

There are 3 possbile diagrams, depending on whether it's equipped with AC and engine type. The 3 are listed below. Thank you for using Fixya and please remember to return to rate this answer.
Greg

98 Escort Drive Belt Air #1



98 Escort Drive Belt Air #2


98 Escort Drive Belt no Air

haha we know you didnt do it on purpose, without seeing your problem and the hard to describe issue, i can only recommend to maybe try folding the seat to the cargo position, if that helps. if not, then you will more than likely need to disassemble the rear quarter panel, and unbolt the seat belt retractor from the body of the vehicle. sorry but there is no other way

it is you have to remove belt to get seat up the tab that keeps belt from retracting too far came off

you need to pull the belt out all the way to release it ,they have a locking mechanism for baby seats that stops them retracting,you pull them all the way out and they are reset and retract,common in modern cars,rare to give trouble

make sure that the rear seats are properly locked into rear catches as this can stop your seatbels from working if ok then sounds like your seatbelt is faulty req new seatbelt.

When you replaced the belt did you make sure that the position of the belt assembly was the same. A slight misaliengment can affect the return mechanism. Pull the full length of the belt from belt coil Slacken the securing bolt moving the assembly will most likely allow the return of the belt.
If it was an old unit perhaps a drop of WD40 will release the mechanism.
Hope this helps
Mic