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 safety belt buckles and/or retractor assemblies, use only the replacement parts specified in the Ford Customer Service Division Master Parts and Accessories Catalog.
The active restraint system consists of the following serviceable items:
- Front row safety belt buckles and pretensioners, attached to the inboard side of the seats.
- Front row safety belt retractors and pretensioners, located behind the lower B-pillar trim panels.
- The Belt Tension Sensor (BTS) located at the passenger front safety belt anchor point.
- Second row outboard safety belt retractors, located behind the rear quarter trim panels.
- Second row 60/40 seat center safety belt retractor and LH safety belt buckle assembly integrated into the 60 percent seat back.
- Second row dual safety belt buckle assembly for the 60/40 seat attached to the floorpan under the RH seat cushion.
- Second row lower anchors and tethers for children at all outboard seating positions, welded to the seat backrest frame.
- The child safety seat tether anchors attached to the roof near the rear liftgate door.
Safety Belt Retractors
- Safety belt retractors with pretensioners (front only)
- Dual locking mode
- Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
- Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) (all except driver seat)
- BTS (front passenger only)
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. For testing, refer to the appropriate Functional Test procedure 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 braking hard, cornering hard 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 in Safety Belt System Component Tests and General Diagnostics.
Belt Tension Sensor (BTS)
The BTS operates as part of the Occupant Classification Sensor (OCS) system on the front passenger seat. To diagnose the BTS, refer to Air Bag Systems.
Safety Belt Buckles
Safety Belt Buckle and Pretensioner
The safety belt buckle and pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device that removes excess webbing from the safety belt 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 and pretensioner must be installed.
For safety belt buckle and pretensioner diagnosis and disposal information, refer to Air Bag Systems.
Second row safety belt buckles
The second row safety belt buckles can be serviced separately. After any crash, new safety belt systems components (including retractors and buckles) must be installed.
Child Safety Seat Restraints
The child safety seat restraints include the following items:
- Child safety seat tether anchors.
- Non-serviceable lower anchor and tether for children welded to the seat cushion frame.
If a child safety seat was in use during a collision, inspect the child safety seat component mounting areas and repair any damage and restore the vehicle to the original production configuration.