Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation

SEAT BELT SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

FASTEN SAFETY BELT INDICATOR
The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) illuminates the Fasten safety belt indicator when the Body Control Module (BCM) detects that the driver's seat belt is unbuckled. The IPC receives a discrete input from the BCM requesting illumination. When the indicator is on, the BCM activates the audible warning.

The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The IPC illuminates the fasten safety belt indicator.

RESTRAINT SYSTEM
Seat belts are the primary means of occupant restraint. Seat belts help to keep the occupants 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 feature, known as the 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 buckle-side belts, attached to the floor panel inboard of the front seats
^ The driver and the passenger seat retractor-side belts, attached to the floor panel
^ The driver and the passenger seat retractor-side belts, attached to the roof panel in the coupe, or to the body lock pillar reinforcement in the convertible

The seat belt system includes a seat belt switch in the driver seat buckle-side belt. The seat belt switch controls the fasten safety belt indicator and the seat belt alarm. When the driver door is closed and the ignition switch is turned ON, but the driver seat belt is not buckled the seat belt alarm will operate for 4 to 8 seconds and then turn off. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - Seat Belts in Seat Belts in order to diagnose faults in the Seat Belt System.

REAR SEAT SYSTEM
The rear seat belt system includes the following components:
^ The rear seat buckle-side belt, attached to the floor panel inboard of the rear seats
^ The rear seat retractor-side belt, attached to the floor panel and the inner wheelhouse panel in the coupe, or to the floor panel in the convertible, and to the rear seat shoulder belt retractor bracket.