Focus L4-2.0L SOHC VIN P (2000)
Seat Belt Retractor: Testing and Inspection
Functional Tests
WARNING: IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED, ALL SAFETY BELTS THAT
WERE IN USE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT MUST BE REMOVED AND NEW SAFETY BELTS MUST BE INSTALLED.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS INSTRUCTION MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND COMPONENT FAILURE.
Poor Retraction
If a safety belt does not retract correctly, check that the anchor covers and trim bezels are correctly installed and not rubbing against the safety belt
webbing. Where necessary, check that the safety belt webbing is not rubbing at one end of the retractor cover slot and, if so, correct by loosening
the retaining bolt, aligning the retractor to centralize the safety belt webbing and retighten the bolt.
Focus is equipped with two front and three rear inertia reel safety belts. These safety belts are "dual sensitive" which means that they have:
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a vehicle motion sensor, which locks the safety belt webbing under braking, cornering, on steep hills and in adverse camber conditions.
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a webbing motion sensor, which locks when the safety belt webbing is quickly extracted.
Both systems should be fully operational and can be checked by the tests below:
Vehicle Motion Sensor Test
Either of the following two procedures may be used to check correct operation of the vehicle motion sensor.
Both methods require two technicians but note that technicians of larger than normal build should not be asked to conduct these tests. This is to
avoid the possibility of a fully unrolled safety belt webbing being mistaken for a correctly locked safety belt retractor.
Test Method 1 (Braking)
WARNING: IT IS IMPORTANT THAT DURING THIS TEST, THE WEARERS ALLOW THE SAFETY BELTS TO PROVIDE THE
RESTRAINT AND DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ANTICIPATE THE SUDDEN DECELERATION. THE STEERING WHEEL SHOULD
NOT BE USED AS A BRACE. HOWEVER, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SHOULD PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR THE
POSSIBILITY THAT THE SAFETY BELT WILL NOT LOCK. THE PASSENGER SHOULD HOLD THEIR HANDS IN FRONT OF
THEM, JUST CLEAR OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OR FRONT SEAT BACKREST, DEPENDING ON WHICH SAFETY BELT
IS BEING TESTED. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
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Select for this test a quiet or private stretch of road. Make sure that the road is clear and that full visibility is maintained at all times.
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Both driver and passenger should adopt a normal, comfortable seating position. Both occupants should wear the safety belts and the safety belt
webbing must be correctly adjusted, with no slack.
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Proceed at a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph). Do not exceed 10 km/h (6 mph) for this test.
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Apply the foot brake sharply to stop the vehicle. If the vehicle motion sensitive lock mechanism is operating correctly, the safety belt webbing
will lock and restrain the wearer.
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Conduct the test twice in each front and rear passenger seat position.
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Any safety belt retractor which does not restrain the wearer during this test must not be reused. A new safety belt must be installed.
Test Method 2 (Turning Circle)
This method requires a flat open area of private road, sufficient for the vehicle to be driven in a continuous circle on full steering lock.
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The driver should wear the safety belt provided and the belt webbing must be correctly adjusted, with no slack.
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The passenger should occupy a rear seat with the safety belt correctly adjusted.
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Start the engine and, with the steering on full right-hand lock, drive the vehicle in a continuous circle at 16 km/h (10 mph). Do not exceed 16
km/h (10 mph) for this test.
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When the speed is stable, the passenger should attempt to slowly extract the safety belt webbing from each safety belt retractor in turn. If the
vehicle motion sensitive lock mechanism is operating correctly, it will not be possible to extract the webbing.
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Any safety belt retractor from which it is possible to extract the webbing during this test must not be used. A new safety belt must be Installed.
