Passive Seat Belt System - Revised
87saab03FILE IN S.I. Man VOL. I
SEC. A-8 PG. 103
Service Information
SUBJECT: PASSIVE SEAT BELT SYSTEM ISSUE: 03/87-946
APPLICATION: 1987-1/2 900S 3-DOOR MODELS
From approximately March 1987 wholesale deliveries, the 900S model will be equipped with a motorized passive seat belt system. This introduction takes place to ensure compliance with the 10% passive restraint phase-in requirements set forth by the Department of Transportation.
This S.I. gives some basic information regarding the new system. Included with the S.I. is a training manual that has been produced by the Saab-Scania of America Training Department. This manual will also be distributed at training centers in conjunction with classes concerning the system. The technician should refer to this manual for a detailed system description and in the event of repairs.
The vehicle Owner's Manual has passive seat belt system information for the operator.
VIN Information
The Federally required 17 character VIN incorporates a new designator to identify the 900S with a passive belt system. Position number 5 will show the letter "K" (instead of a letter "S").
Radio Information
The radio/cassette unit is the same as before. The lower dash or kick panel has been enlarged to provide improved antisubmarining restraint. A redesigned
center console and modified radio amplifier mounting reflect this change. The amplifier has been moved outward slightly and the tidy box has been replaced with a grille. The Turbo equalizer cannot be installed.
The amplifier may still be removed with the radio removal tools.
System Maintenance
The system requires no maintenance other than an occasional lubrication of the belt rails.
Saab recommends that this be done at intervals of 30,000 miles (or every 15,000 miles if the belts are activated more often than normal).
Special Lubricant 02-01-285
(Gleitmo 300)
This is the only lubricant that may be used. Other types may run out of the rail and contaminate other parts of the system.
When spraying, keep the nozzle of the spray can no further than 7/8" from the rail to prevent overspray and move the can back and forth to ensure an even spread.
Operating Sequence (driver's side)
Parked: The driver's shoulder belt is always stored at the A-pillar.
Entering: When the driver sits down, the belt will remain at the A-pillar until the door is closed and the ignition is turned on. At this point the following will occur:
- The belt will travel to its locked position at the B-pillar.
- An indicator light located in the instrument cluster will flash while the belt is in motion.
The traditional belt warning light and buzzer will be on for a maximum of eight seconds. The buzzer will cancel automatically after eight seconds or as soon as the driver fastens his lap belt.
The lap belt should always be used in conjunction with the automatic shoulder belt.
Exiting: When the driver's door is opened or the ignition is turned off, the belt will return to its parked position at the A-pillar.
Backing up: As a convenience, there is an override function which will keep the belt at the B-pillar when the door is opened as long as the car is in reverse gear.
Operating Sequence (passenger's side)
Entering: When entering the car, the passenger may find the belt stored at either the A or B-pillar. If the belt is at the B-pillar it will automatically move forward as soon as the door is opened.
After closing the door, the belt will stay at the A-pillar until the key is turned on - the belt will then move to the B-pillar. This will occur even if the passenger's seat is unoccupied in order to provide the driver with an unobstructed view out the side window.
If the passenger enters a running car, the belt will move back as soon as the door is closed.
Fastening the passenger's lap belt has no effect on the warning light and buzzer operation.
Exiting, key off: When the ignition is turned off, the passenger's belt will stay at the B-pillar until the door is opened. As soon as the door opens, the
belt will move forward and stay at the A-pillar until the ignition is turned on again.
Exiting, key on: If the passenger exits the car while it is running, the belt will move forward when the door is opened and back again when the door is closed.
Manual Overrides
The shoulder belts have a release buckle at their upper end. The belts can be quickly unfastened in the event of a system failure.
If the belt transport mechanism should fail, the belts may still be worn by using the two locking clips located in the tool kit. These adapters are different (mirror images of one another) for the left and right sides. They lock in place at the B-pillar and are held in place by a small latch which must be pushed to one side to remove the clips.
Dash Warning Light Function
The instrument cluster light will flash slowly under the following conditions:
- When the driver's belt is moving from the A to B-pillar.
- If the belt does not lock at the Bpillar or the microswitch does not sense that it has.
- The belt is locked at the B-pillar, but there is a failure in the override system for the acceleration and tipping sensors in the belt retractors.
The light will glow continually when the shoulder belt is unbuckled and allowed to retract into its reel on either side.
In the event of two simultaneous failures, a flashing light will take priority over a steady one.