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Front Safety Belt: Notes

Special Tool(s) 

Fig 1: Identifying Front Safety Belt Special Tools
G01530738Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
WARNING: All safety belt assemblies including retractors, buckles, shoulder belt height adjusters (if so equipped) child safety seat tether attachments and attaching hardware should be inspected after any collision. All belt assemblies should be replaced unless a qualified technician finds the assemblies show no damage and operate properly. Belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.
WARNING: The safety belt pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device. Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag equipped vehicle and when handling a safety belt buckle pretensioner or safety belt retractor pretensioner. Never probe a pretensioner electrical connector. Doing so could result in pretensioner or air bag deployment and could result in personal injury.
WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface could contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
NOTE: Right side shown, left side similar.
    WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.

    To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).

    The side impact sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillars.

  1. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301) and wait at least one minute. For additional information, refer to BATTERY & CHARGING SYSTEM .
    2. WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, cautions, notes, and instructions in the supplemental restraint system (SRS) deactivation/reactivation procedure.
  2. Deactivate the supplemental restraint system. For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEACTIVATION AND REACTIVATION .
  3. When servicing the safety belt buckle, remove the affected seat from the vehicle. For additional information, refer to SEATING .
  4. When servicing the safety belt retractor pretensioner, remove the rear trim panel and speaker grille behind the affected seat. For additional information, refer to BODY SYSTEM - EXTERIOR .
  5. Remove the components in the order indicated in the figure. To remove individual components, carry out only the following steps.
    Fig 2: Components Removal Chart
    G01530739Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  6. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
    Fig 3: Front Safety Belt Components Removal Sequence
    G01530740Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  7. When installing the safety belt retractor pretensioner:
    1. Remove the restraint system diagnostic tool from the safety belt retractor pretensioner.
    2. Connect the safety belt retractor pretensioner electrical connector.
    3. Connect the battery ground cable. Refer to BATTERY & CHARGING SYSTEM for additional information.
    4. With the restraint system diagnostic tools installed at the remaining deplorable devices, prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
    5. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Refer to BATTERY & CHARGING SYSTEM for additional information.
      6. WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, cautions, notes, and instructions in the supplemental restraint system (SRS) deactivation/reactivation procedure.
    6. Reactivate the supplemental restraint system (SRS). Refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEACTIVATION AND REACTIVATION  for additional information.
    7. Connect the battery ground cable. Refer to BATTERY & CHARGING SYSTEM for additional information.
      8. WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from the vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
    8. With all the restraint system diagnostic tools removed, prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
  8. When installing the seat:
    1. Remove the restraint system diagnostic tool from the side air bag module.
    2. Connect the side air bag module electrical connector.
    3. Connect the battery ground cable. Refer to BATTERY & CHARGING SYSTEM for additional information.
    4. With the restraint system diagnostic tools installed at the remaining deplorable devices, prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
    5. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Refer to BATTERY & CHARGING SYSTEM for additional information.
      6. WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, cautions, notes, and instructions in the supplemental restraint system (SRS) deactivation/reactivation procedure.
    6. Reactivate the supplemental restraint system (SRS). Refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEACTIVATION AND REACTIVATION .
    7. Connect the battery ground cable. Refer to BATTERY & CHARGING SYSTEM for additional information.
      8. WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from the vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
    8. With all the restraint system diagnostic tools removed, prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
    9. Check the active restraint system for correct operation. For additional information, refer to SAFETY BELT SYSTEM .
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