Ford Escape: Seatbelt Systems / General Procedures - Seatbelt System Functional Tests

Check

Functional Test - Seatbelt Buckle and Tongue

  WARNING: All seatbelt components must be inspected and corrected as part of any collision repair. Inspect all seatbelt components as prescribed by Seatbelt Procedure After a Collision found in Section 501-20A General Procedures of this manual. Failure to follow this instruction may result in incorrect operation of the seatbelt system and increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

NOTE: Make sure the seatbelt buckle and tongue assembly operate freely during the latching and unlatching function. Fasten the seatbelt by inserting the tongue (male portion) into the buckle (female portion).

1. Verify the following during the latching sequence:
   
   • Tongue insertion does not require excessive effort.
     
   • A click is heard when the seatbelt buckle latches the tongue.
     

1. Verify the system integrity by forcefully pulling on the seatbelt webbing.
   

1. Unlatch the seatbelt by fully pressing the seatbelt buckle release button and allowing the seatbelt to release and retract.
   

1. Verify the following during the unlatching process:
   
   • Pressing the push button does not require excessive effort.
     
   • The tongue can be removed easily from the buckle.
     

1. Repeat the above steps 3 times.
   

1. If the functional test reveals a concern(s), install a new seatbelt buckle or seatbelt retractor as required.
   

Functional Test - Seatbelt Retractor

  WARNING: All seatbelt components must be inspected and corrected as part of any collision repair. Inspect all seatbelt components as prescribed by Seatbelt Procedure After a Collision found in Section 501-20A General Procedures of this manual. Failure to follow this instruction may result in incorrect operation of the seatbelt system and increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

NOTE: Make sure the seatbelt retractor is freely operational for extraction and retraction of the seatbelt webbing between full extension (without engaging ALR mode) and in-vehicle stowed positions.

1. NOTE: When extracting seatbelt webbing, do not allow the seatbelt retractor to go into ALR (Automatic Locking Retractor) mode, by pulling the seatbelt webbing all the way out.

   Extract and retract the seatbelt between the full extension (without engaging ALR mode) and stowed positions.
   

1. Verify the seatbelt retractor operates without excessive effort or binding.
   

1. Install a new seatbelt retractor if any concern is found or the complaint has been verified.
   

Functional Test - Seatbelt Retractor, Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) Mode

  WARNING: All seatbelt components must be inspected and corrected as part of any collision repair. Inspect all seatbelt components as prescribed by Seatbelt Procedure After a Collision found in Section 501-20A General Procedures of this manual. Failure to follow this instruction may result in incorrect operation of the seatbelt system and increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

1. Position the seat backrest fully upright (if adjustable).
   
   • If applicable, the seat backrest latch must be secured to the striker with the backrest fixed in place.
     

1. Position the seatbelt shoulder height adjuster (if equipped) in the full down or up position.
   

1. Fasten the seatbelt over an empty seat.
   

1. NOTE: An audible clicking or ratcheting sound is made as the seatbelt webbing retracts back onto the spool, indicating the seatbelt retractor is in Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode and the seatbelt webbing cannot pull back out of the seatbelt retractor.

   Extract the seatbelt webbing to complete extension until the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) feature is activated.
   

1. Allow the seatbelt webbing to retract until it stops.
   

1. Pull on the seatbelt webbing to make sure the seatbelt retractor has remained in the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode. If the seatbelt retractor is not locked, install a new seatbelt retractor.
   

1. Unfasten the seatbelt and allow the seatbelt webbing to retract to its stowed position.
   

1. NOTE: Do NOT extract the seatbelt webbing all the way out to prevent the seatbelt retractor from engaging ALR (Automatic Locking Retractor) mode.

   Partially extract and then retract the seatbelt webbing to verify the seatbelt retractor has converted automatically out of Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode. If the seatbelt retractor remains locked in the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode, install a new seatbelt retractor.
   

Functional Test - Seatbelt Retractor, Road Test Inspection

  WARNING: All seatbelt components must be inspected and corrected as part of any collision repair. Inspect all seatbelt components as prescribed by Seatbelt Procedure After a Collision found in Section 501-20A General Procedures of this manual. Failure to follow this instruction may result in incorrect operation of the seatbelt system and increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

NOTE: When evaluating seatbelt retractor Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) mode, test the vehicle on level ground, with the seatbelt retractor installed on the vehicle at in-vehicle-position.

NOTE: Make sure there is no excessive slack in the seatbelt webbing across the torso during testing.

NOTE: Do not jerk on the seatbelt webbing when carrying out this test.

1. Fasten the seatbelts and proceed to a safe and level area.
   

1. Reach a speed of 24 km/h (14.9 mph).
   

1.   WARNING: Apply maximum brake force only on dry concrete or equivalent hard surface, never on wet pavement or gravel. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

   Grasp the shoulder harness, lean forward and apply the brakes, making a maximum braking application without a skid.
   

1. The seatbelts should lock up with minimum webbing extension.
   

1. If there is a lockup of all seatbelt retractors being tested, the seatbelt retractors are functioning correctly. If any seatbelt retractor fails to lock up, install a new seatbelt retractor(s).