Safety Belt Procedure After A Collision

SEAT BELT SYSTEM

WARNING: All safety belt components including retractors, belt tension sensor (BTS), buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar), if equipped, shoulder belt height adjusters, if equipped, child safety seat tether bracket assemblies, if equipped, and attaching hardware should be inspected after any collision. Ford recommends new safety belt assemblies be installed unless a qualified technician finds the assemblies show no damage and operate correctly. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and new assemblies installed if either damage or incorrect operation is noted. The Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) feature of the safety belt retractor must be checked by a qualified technician to verify that the ALR feature for a child seat is functioning correctly, in addition to other checks for correct safety belt system function. A new belt and retractor assembly must be installed if the safety belt assembly's ''automatic locking retractor" feature, or any other safety belt function, is not operating correctly when inspected according to the functional inspection procedure in the workshop manual. Failure to install a new belt and retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in a collision.

WARNING: All safety belt assemblies including retractors, belt tension sensor (BTS), if equipped, buckles, shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped) child safety seat tether attachments and attaching hardware should be inspected after any collision. All new belt assemblies should be installed unless a qualified technician finds the assemblies show no damage and operate correctly. Belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and new assemblies installed if either damage or incorrect operation is noted.

WARNING: After any vehicle collision, the safety belt system at all outboard seating positions (except driver, which has no "automatic locking retractor" feature) must be checked by a qualified technician to verify that the "automatic locking" feature for child seats is still functioning correctly, in addition to other checks for correct safety belt system function. A new safety belt and retractor assembly must be installed if the safety belt assembly's "automatic locking retractor" feature, or any other safety belt function, is not operating correctly when checked according to the procedures in the workshop manual. Failure to install a new safety belt and retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in collisions.

NOTE: New safety belt buckles, height adjusters, center adjust tongues, and belts and retractors can be installed separately. However, if a safety belt 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 Catalog for the make and model of the vehicle being repaired. Safety belt assemblies must not be interchanged between vehicle models.

Safety Belt Pretensioners
If the vehicle is involved in a collision that results in deployment of the safety belt pretensioners, a new driver and passenger seat belt system (including safety belt retractor and pretensioners, safety belt retractors, safety belts, buckles and height adjusters) must be installed.

Dual Locking Mode Retractors

WARNING: After any collision, the safety belt system at all outboard seating positions (except driver, which has no "automatic locking retractor" feature) must be checked by a qualified technician to verify that the "automatic locking retractor" feature for child seats is still functioning correctly, in addition to other checks for correct safety belt system function. A new belt retractor assembly must be installed if the safety belt assembly's "automatic locking retractor" feature, or any other safety belt function, is not operating correctly when inspected according to the procedures in the workshop manual. Failure to install a new belt and retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in a collision.

Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
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 one must be installed. See the appropriate removal and installation procedure in this section for service.

Pretensioner

WARNING: The safety belt pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device. Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag equipped vehicle and when handling a safety belt buckle pretensioner or safety belt retractor pretensioner. Never probe a pretensioner electrical connector. Doing so could result in pretensioner or air bag deployment. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.