Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation

SEAT BELT SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

FASTEN SAFETY BELT INDICATOR
^ The IPC illuminates the fasten safety belt indicator when the Body Control Module (BCM) detects that the driver's seat bell is unbuckled. The IPC receives a discrete input from the BCM requesting illumination. When this indicator is on the BCM activates the audible warning.
^ The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The PC illuminates the fasten safety belt indicator.

RESTRAINT SYSTEM
Seat belts are the primary means of occupant restraint. Seat belts help to keep the occupant(s) inside the passenger compartment and to gradually reduce the impact forces during the following events:
^ Frontal impact type crashes
^ Rear impact type crashes
^ Side impact type crashes
^ Roll-over type crashes

All seat belt retractors have emergency locks. The retractors remain unlocked during normal operation and under normal driving conditions. The retractors remain unlocked during normal conditions in order to allow free movement of the upper body of each occupant. A pendulum locks the seat belt webbing into position. The pendulum causes a locking bar to engage a cog on the spool of the retractor mechanism when the following conditions occur:
^ A rapid extraction of the seat belt webbing from the retractor
^ An abrupt change in the vehicle speed
^ An abrupt change in the vehicle direction
^ Operation of the vehicle on a steep upgrade
^ Operation of the vehicle on a steep downgrade

The seat belts have an automatic locking (cinch) feature. The cinch feature is activated when the seat belt webbing is completely extended from the retractor. The cinch feature prevents the webbing from extending beyond the position from which the webbing is allowed to retract. Use of the cinch feature is recommended for securing a child seat. The cinch feature may be canceled by allowing the webbing to wind completely back into the retractor. After the cinch feature is canceled, the webbing is unlocked. The webbing will then extend from the retractor. This vehicle is also equipped with a Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system. Refer to SIR System Description and Operation in Restraint Systems.

FRONT SEAT BELT SYSTEM
The front seat belt system includes the following components:
^ The driver and the passenger seat belt retractors - The driver and passenger seat belt retractors are located on the center pillar post. The seat belt retractors are attached to the floor panel.
^ The driver and passenger seat belt buckles - The driver and the passenger seat belt buckles are located between the two front seats. The seat belt buckles are attached to each seat.
^ The driver seat belt switch - The driver seat belt switch is located in the driver seat belt buckle and controls the fasten safety belt indicator and a tone alarm.

REAR SEAT SYSTEM
The rear seat belt system includes the following components:
^ The rear seat belt retractors. The rear seat belt retractors are located at the inner wheelhouse panel. The rear seat belt retractors are attached to the floor panel by the rear seat shoulder belt retractor bracket.
^ The rear seat belt buckles. The rear seat belt buckles are attached to each seat.