Focus L4-2.0L (2009)
Seat Belt Tensioner: Description and Operation
Safety Belt System
WARNING: After any crash, all of the following safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware must be inspected by an authorized dealer to
verify correct function:
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Retractors
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Buckles
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Belt tension sensor (BTS) (if equipped)
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Front safety belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar) (if equipped)
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Safety belt shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped)
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Child safety seat tether bracket assemblies
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Automatic locking retractor (ALR) feature for child safety seats (passenger seating positions only)
If any safety belt assembly is damaged, does not operate correctly or does not pass all of the Functional Tests in the Diagnosis and Testing
portion, a new safety belt assembly must be installed. If any safety belt assembly attaching areas are damaged or distorted, the sheet metal must
be restored to its original structural integrity and new safety belt assembly and attaching hardware must be installed. Failure to install new
safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware may increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.
After any crash that results in deployment of the driver and/or front outboard passenger safety belt pretensioners, new driver and/or front
outboard passenger safety belt systems (including retractors, buckles and height adjusters) must be installed. Failure to install new safety belt
systems increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.
The safety belt retractor is designed to let the webbing move freely in and out at all times, except during vehicle hard braking, hard cornering or an
impact of 24 km/h (15 mph) or more, when it is automatically locked by a mechanically actuated inertia sensor.
When installing new safety belt buckles and/or retractor assemblies, use only the replacement parts specified in the Ford Customer Service Division
Master Parts and Accessories Catalog.
Safety Belt Retractors
The safety belt retractors consist of the following features:
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Dual locking mode
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Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
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Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) (all except driver seat and rear center)
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Cinch tongue (rear center safety belt retractor only)
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Belt Tension Sensor (BTS) (front passenger only)
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
The ALR mode is used when locking a child seat in an outboard seating position. The ALR mode is automatically activated when the safety belt webbing
is fully extracted from the retractor and then allowed to retract. As the safety belt webbing is retracted back onto the spool, an audible clicking sound is
made indicating the safety belt retractor is in ALR mode and the safety belt webbing will not pull back out of the safety belt retractor. The ALR mode is
disengaged when the webbing is free to extract and retract back into the retractor. For testing, refer to the appropriate Functional Test procedure in
Safety Belt System. See: Testing and Inspection/Component Tests and General Diagnostics
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
The ELR is a vehicle-sensitive feature designed to activate and lock the safety belt webbing during hard braking, cornering hard or in an impact of
approximately 24 km/h (15 mph). The ELR feature helps to reduce the forward movement of the driver and passengers. For testing, refer to the
appropriate Functional Test procedure in Safety Belt System. See: Testing and Inspection/Component Tests and General Diagnostics
Cinch Tongue (rear center safety belt retractor)
The rear center safety belt retractor is equipped with a locking cinch tongue. The locking cinch tongue will slide up and down the safety belt webbing
when it is in the stowed position or while putting the safety belt on. When the locking cinch tongue is latched into the buckle, the cinch tongue will allow
the lap portion of the safety belt to become shorter, but locks the webbing in place to restrict it from becoming longer. Before latching a cinch tongue
into the buckle, the lap portion of the safety belt may have to be lengthened. To lengthen the lap belt, pull some webbing out of the safety belt retractor.
While holding the webbing below the tongue, grasp the tip (metal portion) of the tongue so that it is parallel to the webbing and slide the tongue upward.
Provide enough lap belt length so the tongue can reach the buckle. To fasten a cinch tongue, pull the safety belt from the retractor so the shoulder belt
portion of the safety belt crosses the occupant's shoulder and chest. Be sure the belt is not twisted. If the belt is twisted, remove the twist. For instructions
on how to remove a twist, refer to Safety Belt Tongue Rotated on Belt See: Service and Repair/Safety Belt Tongue Rotated on Belt. Insert the locking
cinch tongue into the correct buckle for the seating position until a snap is heard and latching is felt. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened to the
buckle by pulling on the tongue. Adjust the lap belt portion of the safety belt by pulling up on the shoulder belt until the lap belt fits snugly and as low as
