Seat Belt Systems: Testing and Inspection

CONTINUOUS LOOP SHOULDER/LAP BELT

NOTE: The vehicle is equipped with two front and two rear seat belt systems which are dual sensitive (system locks when the webbing is extracted quickly or when the vehicle is braking, cornering or accelerating heavily).

Both systems should be fully operational. If either of the following two tests are not satisfactory, replace retractor and belt assembly as matched set.

WEBBING SENSOR
To test the webbing sensor, the vehicle should be stationary and level. The webbing coming from the retractor must be grasped firmly and pulled out quickly. The retractor should lock up and prevent further webbing payout after a few inches of initial extraction.

VEHICLE SENSOR
1. Buckle up and drive the vehicle to a safe test area. If the front or rear passenger belts are to be tested, a passenger should be buckled into the belt requiring test.

NOTE: The seat belt should not be fully extended to preclude the possibility of a false feeling (full extension vs. lockup).

2. Accelerate to a speed of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph). The driver should inform the passenger that he is prepared to make a severe brake application. At this time, both driver and passenger should grasp their respective shoulder harness and prepare to lean forward slightly at the moment the brake application is made.
3. The driver will make a maximum brake application without tire skid. (The maximum brake application should be on dry concrete or an equivalent hard road surface). The driver and passenger should lean slightly into the shoulder harness. At this point, the belts should lockup after a few inches of initial webbing payout.
4. If there is a lock-up of the shoulder strap, the seat belt assembly is functioning properly. Should either or both retractors fail to lock-up at 8 km/h (5 mph), the test must be repeated at 24 km/h (15 mph).
5. If any of the front or rear shoulder belts do not lock-up at 24 km/h (15 mph), replace the malfunctioning belt and retractor assembly as a matched set. The manufacturer's identification labels on retractor webbing and buckle base must match.