Safety Belt Warning Lamp - ON Intermittently
91ford21
Article No.
91-12-7
06/12/91
LAMP - SAFETY BELT WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED INTERMITTENTLY
FORD: 1990-91 PROBE
ISSUE: The safety belt warning light and chime may be intermittently activated during normal vehicle operation. This occurs because of the sensitivity of the center retractor electrical sensor caps.
ACTION: Install new center retractor electrical sensor caps with improved surface coatings. This can be done without removing the passive belt retractor assembly located in the rear of the center console. Refer to the following procedure for service details.
1. Confirm the condition by driving the vehicle with the safety belt system operational. If the safety belt warning light or chime is activated during normal driving, the retractor sensor(s) could be the cause of the concern.
2. Test the sensor's activation.
a. Turn the ignition switch to the "ON" position.
b. Close both doors.
c. See if the belts track to the "B" pillar position and the light or chime goes off in about 4-6 seconds.
3. With the ignition switch still in the "ON" position, unhook either the left or right side shoulder belt from the belt carrier/latch. Allow the belt to retract into the center retractor. When either belt is retracted, the warning light and chime should activate.
4. Attempt to deactivate the safety belt warning light and chime.
a. Pull the belt out of the retractor, about 26-28", up to the carrier latch.
b. Check to see if the safety belt warning light and chime are deactivated.
NOTE: IF THE WARNING LIGHT AND CHIME CONTINUE TO ACTIVATE WITH THE BELTS LATCHED AT THE CARRIER, THE SENSORS ARE FAULTY AND MUST BE REPLACED.
5. Gain access to the center retractor electrical sensor caps. Refer to the 1991 Probe Shop Manual, Pages 01-12-7 through 9, for service details.
Figure 1:
NOTE: THE CENTER CONSOLE DISASSEMBLY PROCEDURES ARE DIFFERENT FOR THE MANUAL AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. THE CENTER CONSOLE DOES NOT NEED TO BE COMPLETELY REMOVED TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE CENTER BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY AND SENSORS.
6. Raise and support the rear of the center console high enough to gain access to the white colored sensor caps on the retractor, Figure 1.
Figure 2:
7. Use a small screwdriver to gently unhook the three (3) lock tabs that secure the sensor caps to the switch housing, Figure 2.
Figure 3:
8. Gently lift each sensor cap upward to disengage it from the main switch housing. Disconnect the wire harness connector.
NOTE: BE CAREFUL NOT TO MOVE OR DISLOCATE THE INTERNAL SENSOR RING GEAR BECAUSE ITS POSITION DETERMINES THE TIMING AND ACTIVATION OF THE WARNING LIGHT AND CHIME, FIGURE 3.
9. Install the new sensor caps.
a. Gently install the left side cap (black wires) and the right side cap (white wires) onto the retractor switch housing.
b. Connect the wire harness.
10. Check the position of the internal sensor ring gear.
NOTE: IF THE INTERNAL SENSOR RING GEAR MOVES OUT OF POSITION OR IS DISLOCATED, USE THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE TO PROPERLY RE-INDEX.
a. Pull the belt out about 27-1/2" (700 mm).
Figure 4:
b. Refer to Figure 4 as a guide for measuring the belt length.
Figure 5:
c. Refer to Figure 5 for the position of the internal ring gear sensor contact tips.
d. Note the difference of the positions of the left versus the right side.
e. With the belt(s) extended 27-1/2" (700 mm), re-index the internal sensor gear as needed.
11. Reassemble the center console and attach the belts to the carrier latches.
12. Confirm that the concern has been corrected by again performing Steps # 1 through # 4.
PART NUMBER PART NAME CLASS
F12Z-14B119-A Sensor Caps (1 set contains BG
left and right side)
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Safety
Restraint, Basic Warranty
Coverage
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
911207A Test And Replace Center 0.6 Hr.
Retractor Electrical Sensor Caps
DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
14B119 09
OASIS CODES: 104000