Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation
Safety Belt System
WARNING: After any crash, all of the following safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware must be inspected by an authorized dealer to verify correct function:
- Retractors
- Buckles
- Belt tension sensor (BTS) (if equipped)
- Front safety belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar) (if equipped)
- Safety belt shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped)
- Child safety seat tether bracket assemblies
- Automatic locking retractor (ALR) feature for child safety seats (passenger seating positions only)
If any safety belt assembly is damaged, does not operate correctly or does not pass all of the Functional Tests in the Diagnosis and Testing, a new safety belt assembly must be installed. If any safety belt assembly attaching areas are damaged or distorted, the sheet metal must be restored to its original structural integrity and new safety belt assembly and attaching hardware must be installed. Failure to install new safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware may increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.
After any crash that results in deployment of the driver and/or front outboard passenger safety belt pretensioners, new driver and/or front outboard passenger safety belt systems (including retractors, buckles and height adjusters) must be installed. Failure to install new safety belt systems increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.
When replacing any active occupant restraint components, use only the replacement parts specified in the Ford Customer Service Division Master Parts and Accessories Catalog.
The active restraint system serviceable components consist of the following:
- Front row safety belt buckles and pretensioners
- Front row adaptive load limiting retractors
- Second row outboard safety belt retractors
- Second row 60 percent bench or E-Z entry seat center safety belt retractor
- Second row 60 percent bench seat dual safety belt buckle assembly (Explorer/Mountaineer with 5-passenger seating and Explorer Sport Trac)
- Second row 60 percent E-Z entry seat dual safety belt buckle assembly (Explorer/Mountaineer with 7-passenger seating)
- Second row 40 percent bench seat safety belt buckle assembly (Explorer/Mountaineer with 5-passenger seating and Explorer Sport Trac)
- Second row 40 percent E-Z entry seat safety belt buckle assembly (Explorer/Mountaineer with 7-passenger seating)
- Second row bucket seat safety belt buckle assembly (Explorer/Mountaineer with 6-passenger seating)
- Second row child safety seat tether anchors
- Second row lower anchors and tethers for children
- Third row safety belt retractors
- Third row dual safety belt buckle assembly
- Third row child safety seat tether anchors
Safety Belt Retractors
- Adaptive load limiting retractor (front only)
- Dual locking mode
- Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
- Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) (all except driver seat)
Adaptive load limiting
Adaptive load limiting safety belt retractors are pyrotechnic devices integrated with the driver and front passenger safety belt retractor assemblies. Adaptive load limiting safety belt retractors work in conjunction with the safety belt buckle pretensioners to control the tension of the driver and front passenger safety belts. The Restraints Control Module (RCM) monitors the readiness of the adaptive load limiting safety belt retractor. The RCM uses this information and all other information provided by the restraints system to determine what action is to be taken.
For adaptive load limiting safety belt retractor diagnostic information, refer to Diagnosis and Testing in Restraint Systems.
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
The ALR mode is used when locking a child seat in an outboard seating position. The ALR mode is automatically activated when the safety belt webbing is fully extracted from the retractor and then allowed to retract. As the safety belt webbing is retracted back onto the spool, an audible clicking sound is made indicating the safety belt retractor is in ALR mode and the safety belt webbing will not pull back out of the safety belt retractor. To disengage the ALR mode, allow the safety belt webbing to fully retract back onto the spool. The ALR mode is disengaged when the webbing is free to extract and retract back into the retractor. For testing, refer to the appropriate Functional Test procedure Diagnosis and Testing in Safety Belt System. Component Tests and General Diagnostics
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
The ELR is a vehicle-sensitive feature designed to activate and lock the safety belt webbing during hard braking, hard cornering or in an impact of approximately 24 km/h (15 mph). The ELR feature helps to reduce the forward movement of the driver and passengers. For testing, refer to the appropriate Functional Test procedure Diagnosis and Testing in Safety Belt System. Component Tests and General Diagnostics
Safety Belt Buckles
Safety belt buckle and pretensioner
The safety belt buckle and pretensioners are located on the inboard side of the seat track and is for front seat occupants.
The safety belt buckle and pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device that removes excess webbing from the safety belt system when deployed. When the pretensioner deploys, the buckle moves downward, removing excess webbing from the lap and shoulder safety belts.
If the vehicle is involved in a crash that results in pretensioner deployment, a new safety belt buckle pretensioner must be installed.
For safety belt buckle pretensioner diagnosis and disposal information, refer to Diagnosis and Testing or General Procedures in Restraint Systems.
Second and third row safety belt buckles
The second and third row safety belt buckles are attached to the seat cushion frames or floor and can be serviced separately.
Child Safety Seat Restraints
Lower anchors and tethers for children and child safety seat tether anchors are provided. Check all attachment points after a collision.
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
This system will be referred to as lower anchors. The lower anchor system is a standardized and uniform attachment system for installing child safety seats in passenger vehicles. Lower anchor-equipped child safety seats have 2 lower attachments that connect to the vehicle portion of the system.
The vehicle portion of the system consists of 2 attachment points (6-mm wires) welded to the seat cushion frame. The attachment points protrude from between where the backrest and cushion of the seat meet, only at the second row outboard seating positions.
If a child safety seat was in use during a collision, inspect the vehicle portion of the system for damage. If any of the attachment points (6-mm wires) are damaged, install a new seat cushion frame.
Child Safety Seat Tether Anchors
Child safety seat tether anchors are attachment points located in the back panel of the sheet metal (Sport Trac) or bolted into the floor (Explorer/Mountaineer).
If a child safety seat was in use during a collision, inspect the vehicle portion of the system for damage. If any of the attachment points are damaged, install new ones.
Explorer, Mountaineer and Sport Trac Front Row
Child safety seat tether anchors are not available in the front row for any of the vehicles.
Explorer, Mountaineer - 5 and 6 Passenger, Second Row
The 2 second row outboard child safety seat tether anchors are located directly behind the seat, attached to the floor pan protruding from the carpet. For 5 passenger center seat, either tether anchor located near the back hatch door can be used.
Explorer, Mountaineer - 7 passenger, Second Row
The 3 second row child safety seat tether anchors are located directly behind the seat, attached to the floor pan protruding from the carpet.
Sport Trac - Second Row
Child safety seat tether anchors are located at all 3 seating positions. They are part of the back panel sheet metal.
Explorer, Mountaineer - Third Row
The 2 third row child safety seat tether anchors are located directly behind the seat near the back hatch door.
Safety Belt Warning System
The safety belt warning system is a reminder to fasten the driver safety belt. Refer to Diagnosis and Testing, Safety Belt System. Component Tests and General Diagnostics
Belt-Minder(R)
The Belt-Minder(R) feature is a supplemental warning to the safety belt warning function. This feature provides additional reminders to the driver that the driver safety belt is unbuckled. Refer to Diagnosis and Testing, Safety Belt System. Component Tests and General Diagnostics