Front Seat Backrest: Notes

WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Carry a live side air bag module with the air bag and tear seam pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Do not set a live side air bag module down on the cover tear seam. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface can 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.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of personal injury, do not use any memory saver devices.

WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.

WARNING: Seat side air bag modules with damaged covers must be replaced.

NOTE: If a seat equipped with a seat mounted side air bag and/or a safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) system is being serviced, the supplemental restraint system (SRS) must be disabled.

NOTE: The air bag warning lamp illuminates when the RCM fuse is removed and the ignition switch is ON. This is normal operation and does not indicate a supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault.

NOTE: The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

NOTE: If a seat side air bag deployment took place a new seat back pad, trim cover, and side air bag module must be installed. Install a new seat back frame if necessary.

NOTE: Repair is made by installing a new part only. If the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and carry out the diagnostic procedure again.

NOTE: When servicing just the seat side air bag module, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS for the side air bag module removal and installation procedure.

NOTE: The driver seat back is shown, the passenger seat back is similar.

NOTE: A seat with climate control and manual lumbar is shown, all others are similar.

NOTE: A low-back seat is shown, the hi-back seat is similar.

Remove the front seat and disable the SRS. For additional information, refer to DRIVER SEAT .
Remove the front seat backrest. for additional information, refer to FRONT SEAT CUSHION - DRIVER or FRONT SEAT CUSHION - PASSENGER .

WARNING: Front seat back trim covers installed on seats equipped with side air bags cannot be repaired, they are to be replaced (cleaning is permissible).

NOTE: If installing a new side air bag module, use new retaining nuts. If the same side air bag module is to be reused then reuse the side air bag module nuts.

Fig 1: Front Seat Backrest Components Removal Sequence

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Disassemble the parts in the order listed in the following illustration and table.

PARTS REMOVING SEQUENCE

Part	Steps
Backrest trim cover	1-12
Backrest thermal electric device (TED)	1-25
Seat side air bag module	1-17
Manual lumbar assembly	1-26

WARNING: Inspect the mounting surfaces of the side air bag module for any foreign objects before installing the side air bag module. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.

WARNING: Inspect the side air bag deployment chute and the side air bag cavity in the seat back pad for any foreign objects. If any foreign objects are found remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.

WARNING: Before installing the side air bag module into the deployment chute, check it for damage and foreign objects. If the air bag module is damaged, replace it. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.

WARNING: If the air bag cover has separated or the air bag material has been exposed, install a new side air bag module. Do not attempt to repair the air bag module. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.

WARNING: Check the side air bag deployment chute for damage. The deployment chute must not be repaired. If there is any damage to the deployment chute, the seat back trim cover and deployment chute must be installed new as a unit.

WARNING: If the air bag deployment chute is not properly positioned, the side air bag may not deploy properly.

WARNING: Inspect the mounting surfaces of the deployment chute and the seat back frame mounting bracket for any foreign objects, before installing the side air bag module/deployment chute assembly. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.

NOTE: The alignment pin will only allow the side air bag module to be installed to the seat back mounting bracket one way.

To assemble, reverse the disassembly procedure.
Install the front seat backrest. For additional information, refer to FRONT SEAT CUSHION - DRIVER or FRONT SEAT CUSHION - PASSENGER .
Install the front seat and activate the SRS. Do not prove out the SRS at this time. For additional information, refer to DRIVER SEAT .

CAUTION: There are three occupant classification sensor (OCS) system service kits available for this vehicle (base seat, heated seat and climate controlled seat). Always make sure the correct OCS service kit is installed.

CAUTION: It is necessary to rezero the OCS system when a front passenger seat cushion is disassembled, a new trim cover installed, a seat side shield removed, or an OCS service kit is installed. A scan tool is used to trigger the active command to carry out rezeroing of the OCS system.

CAUTION: Make sure the seat is completely assembled before rezeroing.

CAUTION: The following precautions must be taken before rezeroing the OCS system:

NOTE: For best results in rezeroing, the OCS system should be at or near room temperature, 10°C to 29°C (50°F to 85°F).

NOTE: When using a New Generation STAR (NGS) Tester you must use the appropriate memory card with the latest update to carry out this function. To rezero the OCS system:

NOTE: To rezero the OCS system using the Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS):

NOTE: If the first attempt to rezero the OCS system is unsuccessful, a second attempt must be made.

- Make sure the OCS system components are connected and no faults are present.
- Make sure the OCS system is not at a temperature below 0°C (32°F) or above 45°C (113° F) when initiating the rezeroing process. If the vehicle has been exposed to extreme cold or hot temperatures, the vehicle must be exposed and kept at a temperature within the limits, 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F) for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Make sure nothing is present on the passenger seat before rezeroing and nothing is placed on the seat during the rezeroing process.
- Make sure a minimum eight second time period has passed after cycling the ignition switch ON before the rezeroing process.
- select "SERVICE BAY FUNCTIONS"
- select "RCM"
- select "SYSTEM RESET"
- select the vehicle from the menu
- view the on-screen information, then press "TRIGGER"
The NGS screen will then display "OCS RESET: REZERO." Press "DONE" (button 8) to rezero the

OCS system. The NGS will return to the vehicle menu once rezeroing of the OCS system is complete.
- select the "Toolbox" icon
- select "Body" from the menu
- select "Restraints" from the menu
- select "Seat Weight Sensor ReZero"
After selecting "Seat Weight Sensor ReZero", follow the on-screen prompts to carry out rezeroing of the OCS system.

If the passenger seat backrest was removed, rezero the occupant classification sensor.
- With the front passenger seat empty, use a scan tool to trigger the active command and rezero the occupant classification sensor.

NOTE: The ignition switch must be cycled after rezeroing the OCS system.

If the passenger seat backrest was removed, cycle the ignition switch from ON to OFF.
Prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS) as follows:

Turn the ignition key from ON to OFF. Wait 10 seconds, then turn the key back to ON and visually monitor the air bag indicator with the air bag modules installed. The air bag indicator will light continuously for approximately six seconds and then turn off. If an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault is present, the air bag indicator will either:

fail to light.
remain lit continuously.
flash.

The flashing might not occur until approximately 30 seconds after the ignition switch has been turned from the OFF to the ON position. This is the time required for the restraints control module (RCM) to complete the testing of the SRS. If the air bag indicator is inoperative and a SRS fault exists, a chime will sound in a pattern of five sets of five beeps. If this occurs, the air bag indicator and any SRS fault discovered must be diagnosed and repaired.

Clear all continuous DTCs from the restraints control module using a scan tool.