Dakota Quad Cab 2WD V8-4.7L VIN N (2001)
Seat Belt Buckle Switch: Testing and Inspection
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE.
DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE
WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Disconnect the body wire harness connector for the seat belt switch from the seat belt switch
pigtail wire connector from the driver side front seat belt retractor. Check for continuity between the ground circuit cavity of the body wire harness
connector for the seat belt switch and a good ground. There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step 2. If not OK, repair the open ground circuit to
ground (G307) as required.
2. Check for continuity between the two cavities in the seat belt switch pigtail wire connector. There should be no continuity with the seat belt
webbing retracted, and continuity with the seat belt webbing pulled out of the retractor far enough to engage the seat belt buckle. If OK, go to Step
3. If not OK, replace the faulty driver side front seat belt and retractor unit.
3. Remove the instrument cluster from the instrument panel. Check for continuity between the seat belt switch sense circuit cavity of the body wire
harness connector for the seat belt switch and a good ground. There should be no continuity. If OK, go to Step 4. If not OK, repair the shorted seat
belt switch sense circuit between the seat belt switch and the instrument cluster as required.
4. Check for continuity between the seat belt switch sense circuit cavities of the instrument panel wire harness connector (Connector C2) for the
instrument cluster and the body wire harness connector for the seat belt switch. There should be continuity. If OK, proceed to the diagnosis for the
instrument cluster. (Refer to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING). If not OK, repair the open seat belt switch sense circuit
between the seat belt switch and the instrument cluster as required.
