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

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

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

NOTE: If a seat equipped with a supplemental restraint system (SRS) component is being serviced, the 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 side air bag deployment took place a new seat back pad, trim cover, and side air bag module must be installed. A new seat back frame should be installed 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: Driver seat is shown. Passenger seat 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 .

Disassemble the components in the order listed in the following illustration and table. To remove individual components, carry out only the following steps:

FRONT SEAT BACKREST COMPONENT REMOVAL STEPS

Component	Steps
Lumbar assembly	1-10
Backrest heater element	1-8

Fig 1: Front Seat Backrest Removal Sequence

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

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

WARNING: Do not disconnect the wire connector at the side air bag module. This is a permanent connection, doing so may result in air bag accidental deployment, which may result in personal injury.

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.

To assemble, reverse the disassembly procedure.
Install the front seat backrest. For additional information, refer to FRONT SEAT CUSHION .
Install the front seat and reactivate the SRS. For additional information, refer to DRIVER SEAT .