| Diagnosis and Testing Principles of Operation WARNING:All safety belt components, including retractors, buckles, front safety belt buckle support assemblies (slider bar), if equipped, child safety seat tether brackets and attaching hardware in use during a collision must be removed and new components installed. New safety belt components should also be installed where safety belts not in use during a collision, are inspected and found to be damaged or operate incorrectly. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury. The safety belt system utilizes the conventional lap and diagonal three point fixing in both front seat positions. The front seat safety belt buckles are attached to the seat frame of each front seat. The front safety belt retractor and pretensioners, are controlled as part of the supplemental restraint system (SRS).
REFER to: Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Vehicles Built From: 02/2000 (501-20 Supplemental Restraint System, Diagnosis and Testing).
When the ignition is turned to the RUN position the SRS warning indicator will illuminate for three seconds. If the SRS, including the safety belt electrical system, is operating correctly the SRS warning indicator will be extinguished. If a fault is detected the SRS warning indicator will generate a lamp fault code (LFC)
REFER to: Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Vehicles Built From: 02/2000 (501-20 Supplemental Restraint System, Diagnosis and Testing).
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) The retractors in all seat positions feature ELR. The ELR is part of the safety belt system that in normal operation allows free movement of the belted occupant. In an emergency the ELR will lock, preventing webbing payout and hence forward movement of the occupant. Locking may be achieved by one of two mechanisms: Vehicle Motion Sensor (VMS) VMS is operated by sudden deceleration of the vehicle or excessive tilt. Once operated the VMS causes a locking pawl to be engaged, thus locking the retractor, preventing webbing payout. When the vehicle is stationary, the VMS stabilizes, causing the pawl to disengage and unlock the retractor, allowing webbing payout. The locking method used is dependent on which type of ELR is fitted. Webbing Motion Sensor (WMS) The ELRs WMS is operated by rapid acceleration of the webbing. Once operated, it causes a locking pawl to be engaged thus locking the retractor. Webbing payout is prevented in the same manner as VMS. Inspection and Verification - Verify the customer concern.
- Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical and electrical damage.
Visual Inspection Chart | Mechanical | - Safety belt retractor
- Safety belt retractor and pretensioners
- Safety belt buckle
| - If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next stop.
- If the cause is not visually evident, verify the symptom and refer to the Symptom Chart.
Symptom Chart | Symptom | Possible Sources | Action | | Normal mode - occupant restraint system inoperative | * Safety belt retractor. | * CARRY OUT the Safety Belt Component Test in this section. | Component Test 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. Both the vehicle motion sensor and the webbing motion sensor should be fully operational and can be checked by the following tests: 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 driver and passenger 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. - 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.
- 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.
- Proceed at a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph). Do not exceed 10 km/h (6 mph) for this test.
- 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.
- Conduct the test twice in the passenger seat position.
- 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. - The driver and passenger should wear the safety belt provided and the belt webbing must be correctly adjusted, with no slack.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Static Test With the vehicle stationary and on level ground take firm hold of the safety belt webbing (on the tongue side of the upper safety belt anchor) and pull out quickly. The retractor should lock within 0.25 meter (10 inches), preventing further webbing payout. Any safety belt retractor from which it is possible to extract further webbing must not be used. A new safety belt must be installed. | 
