Functional Test - Safety Belt Buckle and Tongue

Functional Test - Safety Belt Buckle and Tongue

Component Test

WARNING: After a crash, the following safety belt components and attaching hardware must be inspected and tested to verify correct function:
- Retractors
- Buckles
- Child safety seat tether bracket assemblies
- ALR (Automatic Locking Retractor) feature for child safety seats (passenger seating positions only)
- BTS (Belt Tension Sensor) (if equipped)
- Front safety belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar) (if equipped)
- Safety belt shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped)

Components that do not operate correctly or pass all Functional Tests in the Component Tests must be replaced with new components.

Safety belt assembly attaching areas must be inspected. Damaged or distorted attaching areas must be restored to their original structural integrity and a new safety belt assembly with new attaching hardware must be installed.

After deployment of the front safety belt pretensioners, a new safety belt system (including retractors, buckles and height adjusters) must be installed.

Failure to follow this instruction may result in incorrect operation of the safety belt system and increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

NOTE: The safety belt buckle and tongue assembly must operate freely during the latching and unlatching function. Fasten the safety belt by inserting the tongue (male portion) into the buckle (female portion).

1. Verify the following during the latching sequence:

- Tongue insertion is not hindered by excessive effort.
- A click is heard when the safety belt buckle latches the tongue.

2. Verify the system integrity by forcefully pulling on the safety belt webbing.

3. Unlatch the safety belt by fully pressing the safety belt buckle release button and allowing the safety belt to release and retract.

4. Verify the following during the unlatching process:

- Pressing the push-button does not require excessive effort.
- The tongue can be removed easily from the buckle.

5. Repeat the above steps 3 times.

6. If the functional test reveals a concern(s), install a new safety belt buckle or safety belt retractor as required.