Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation
WARNING: All safety belt assemblies, including retractors and attaching hardware, should be inspected after any collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt assemblies in use during a collision be replaced unless the collision was minor and a qualified technician finds that the belts show no damage and continue to operate properly. When a motorized passive restraint system in use during a collision is replaced, the opposite motorized shoulder belt and retractor assembly must also be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.
Occupant Restraining Devices
The occupant restraining devices include the outboard rear 3-point lap/shoulder belts, the center rear passenger lap belt, the manual front lap belts, and the passive restraint system that controls the front shoulder belts.
Passive Restraint System
The passive restraint system has a control module mounted under the driver's seat which controls the movement of the front shoulder belts. The front shoulder belts are anchored in a centrally located retractor assembly and are latched into carriers mounted on the track and motor assembly. Front and rear limit switches are mounted on the track and motor assemblies. These switches act as inputs for the control module and trigger the disengagement of the system.
When a door is closed and the ignition switch is in the ON position, the door catch switch sends a sinal to the passive restraint control module to operate the motor. The carrier then slides up the track until it reaches the rear limit switch, which cuts the current to stop the operation of the motor.
When a door is opened, the door catch switch sends a signal to the passive restraint control module to operate the motor regardless of what position the ignition switch is in. The carrier then slides down the track until it reaches the front limit switch, which cuts the current to stop operation of the motor.
Seat Belts
The front lap belts, rear lap/shoulder belts, and center passenger lap belt are conventionally mounted and are not controlled by the passive restraint system.
If a malfunction of the passive restraint system occurs, the system can be operated manually by using a lever to crank the motor. Refer to the Owner Guide for procedures for manually operating the passive restraint system.
NOTE: Canadian Escort wagons and 5-door hatchbacks have manual front lap/shoulder belts with fixed tongues. Canadian Escort 3-door hatchbacks have manual front lap/shoulder belts with sliding tongues (except for the Escort GT).
Electrical System
The passive restraint system consists of a passive restraint control module, left and right track and motor assemblies, left and right door catch switches, left and right front limit switches, and left and right rear limit switches. The control module is located under the driver's seat. The track and motor assemblies are located at the "B" pillars on all vehicles. The front and rear limit switches are attached to the track assembly. The rear limit switch is not serviceable. The door catch switches are located at the base of the "B" pillar.
To check the operation of the system, close the door and turn the ignition ON. The shoulder belt carrier should move from the "A" pillar (OFF position), to the "B" pillar (ON position). At the same time, the belt warning light and buzzer should be on for four to eight seconds or until the belt is latched.
The shoulder belt will automatically adjust to allow for occupant comfort and freedom of movement. The belt will lock up only during hard breaking or cornering, or during impacts of 8 km/h (5 mph) or more.
When the door is opened, the shoulder belt carrier should move from the ON position to the OFF position, regardless of the ignition key position. However, when the inertia switch has been activated (due to an impact, for example), the shoulder belt will stay in the ON position.
The passive restraint system is serviced in two parts:
1. "A" pillar limit switch
2. Track/motor assembly.