Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation
SAFETY BELT SYSTEMWARNINGS:
- All safety belt assemblies including retractors, buckles, pretensioners, shoulder belt height adjusters, child safety seat tether bracket assemblies (if equipped), and attaching hardware should be inspected after any collision. All belt assemblies should be replaced unless a qualified technician finds that the assemblies show no damage and operate correctly. Belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected. New safety belt assemblies should be installed if either damage or incorrect operation is noted.
- Each seating position in the vehicle has a specific safety belt assembly which consists of one buckle and one tongue. The safety belt assembly is designed to be used as a pair and is not to be used across seating positions.
- Rear facing child seats or infant carriers should never be placed in the front seats. If you must use a forward facing child seat, move the seat all the way back.
NOTE: New safety belt buckles, height adjusters, center adjust tongues and belts and retractors can be installed separately. However, if a safety assembly was in use during a collision, a new belt and retractor must be installed as well as the center adjust tongue and belt and buckle assembly or the center adjust tongue, and the cable and buckle assembly. When installing new safety belts and buckles, height adjusters, safety cables and buckles, center adjust tongues, and belt and retractors, use only the parts specified in the Ford Master Parts Catalogs for the make and model of the vehicle being repaired. Safety belt assemblies must not be interchanged between vehicle models.
The Thunderbird active restraint system consists of:
- front seat safety belt retractor.
- front seat safety belt buckles attached to the power seat track bracket.
- child safety seat tether anchor and lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) assembly attached to the power seat track bracket.
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 Retractor Pretensioner System
All Thunderbirds have a pretensioner system in the front safety belt retractors. This works in conjunction with the front air bag system mounted in the steering wheel and instrument panel.
When the pretensioner in the retractor deploys, the retractor spool rotates. The rotating spool action removes excess webbing from the safety belt assembly, tightening the webbing around the occupant.
If the vehicle is involved in a collision that results in deployment of the safety belt pretensioners, the driver and passenger safety belt system (including safety belt retractor pretensioners, safety belt buckles, and height adjusters), must be replaced.
For retractor pretensioner diagnostic information refer to Air Bag Systems.
For retractor pretensioner disposal information, refer to Air Bag Systems.
Dual Locking Mode Retractors
NOTE: When replacing a dual locking mode retractor, the retractor should be checked to make sure it is not in the automatic locking retractor (ALR) mode after installation in the stowed position.
All outboard continuous-loop, three-point retractor systems, except the driver position, are equipped with the dual locking mode system.
The emergency locking retractor (ELR) mode will allow the occupant freedom of movement, locking tight only on hard braking, hard cornering, or an impact of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph). The ELR mode helps to reduce the forward movement of the driver and passenger. The ELR mode is in continuous operation at all seating positions.
The ALR portion of this system does not allow the occupant freedom of movement. The ALR mode is used when locking a child seat in an outboard seating position or when a tight belt fit is desired. The ALR mode is automatically engaged when the webbing is fully extracted from the retractor and then allowed to retract. As the webbing is retracted back onto the spool, an audible clicking sound is made indicating the retractor is in ALR mode and the webbing will not pull back out of the retractor. To disengage the ALR mode, let the webbing retract back onto the spool. The ALR mode is disengaged when the webbing is free to move out and back into the retractor.
Safety Belt Extension Assembly
In certain cases, the safety belt may be too short even when it is fully extended. About 20 cm (8 inches) can be added to the belt length by using a safety belt extension. Safety belt extensions are available through the dealership parts department at no cost. Safety belt extensions are only available with black webbing. There is one extension assembly available for the front and rear seating positions.
Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety belt. Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too short for you when fully extended. Do not use the extension to change the fit of the shoulder belt across the torso.
Safety Belt Warning System - Driver Safety Belt
The driver safety belt incorporates a safety belt warning indicator switch, warning indicator and chime. The warning indicator and chime are reminders to fasten the safety belt.
- If the driver safety belt is not buckled before the ignition key is turned to the ON position, the safety belt warning light illuminates for one to two minutes and the warning chime sounds for four to eight seconds.
- If the safety belt is buckled while the warning indicator is on and the chime is sounding, the warning light and warning chime turn off.
- If the safety belt is buckled before the key is turned to the ON position, the warning indicator will come on for four to eight seconds with no chime.
Belt Minder (if equipped)
The Belt Minder feature is a supplemental warning to the safety belt warning function. This feature provides additional reminders to the driver that the driver's safety belt is unbuckled by intermittently sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning lamp in the instrument cluster.
Child Safety Seat Tether Anchor
Child safety seat tether anchor is located at the back of the passenger seat and is part of an assembly with the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH). If a child safety seat was in use during a collision, inspect the tether anchor and LATCH assembly and the seat track/frame for damage. Install a new tether anchor and LATCH assembly or seat track/frame if necessary.
Attaching Safety Seats with Tether Straps
Some manufacturers make child safety seats that include a tether strap that goes over the back of the vehicle seat and attaches to an anchoring point. Other manufacturers offer the tether strap as an accessory. Contact the manufacturer of the child safety seat for information about ordering a tether strap.
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
The lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system is a standardized and uniform attachment system for installing child safety seats in passenger vehicles. LATCH equipped child safety seats have two lower attachments that connect to the vehicle portion of the LATCH system.
The vehicle portion of the system consists of two attachment points (6 mm wires) bolted to the base of the passenger seat and is part of an assembly with the child safety seat tether anchor. The attachment points protrude from the bite line between the seat cushion and seat backrest.
If a child safety seat was in use during a collision, inspect the vehicle portion of the system for damage. If any of the attachment points (6 mm wires) are damaged, a new tether anchor and LATCH assembly or seat track/frame must be installed.