Ford Explorer: Seatbelt Systems / Diagnosis and Testing - Seatbelt Systems

Ford Explorer 2020-2026 Service Manual / Body and Paint / Body and Paint / Seatbelt Systems / Diagnosis and Testing - Seatbelt Systems

Symptom Chart(s)

Preliminary Inspection

Diagnostics in this manual assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices.
REFER to: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).

Before diagnosing or repairing the seatbelt system, inspect the following items:

  • Seatbelt webbing integrity (torn, frayed, cut or stretched)
  • Seatbelt buckle and tongue assembly (latching and release, foreign debris)

Symptom Chart: Seatbelt System

  Symptom Chart


Condition Action
The seatbelt warning indicator does not operate   GO to Pinpoint Test A
The seatbelt warning chime does not operate   GO to Pinpoint Test B
The seatbelt retractor webbing does not extract or exhibits excessive pressure on the occupant during use   GO to Pinpoint Test C
The seatbelt retractor webbing does not retract or has excessive slack during use   GO to Pinpoint Test C
The Belt-Minder® feature is inoperative   GO to Pinpoint Test D
The seatbelt tongue is rotated on the seatbelt webbing   GO to Pinpoint Test E
The seatbelt webbing is twisted at the seatbelt guide   GO to Pinpoint Test E
The seatbelt webbing is dirty or soiled   GO to Pinpoint Test E

Pinpoint Tests


PINPOINT TEST A : THE SEATBELT WARNING INDICATOR DOES NOT OPERATE

Normal Operation and Fault Conditions

Turn the ignition on and monitor the airbag warning indicator after the IPC proves out.

  • If the airbag warning indicator is illuminated, REFER to: Airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, Diagnosis and Testing).
  • If the airbag warning indicator is not illuminated, REFER to: Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes (413-01 Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes, Diagnosis and Testing).

Possible Sources

  • Refer to the pinpoint test
Diagnostic steps are not provided for this symptom or DTC.  REFER to: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
PINPOINT TEST B : THE SEATBELT WARNING CHIME DOES NOT OPERATE

Normal Operation and Fault Conditions

Turn the ignition on and monitor the airbag warning indicator after the IPC proves out.

  • If the airbag warning indicator is illuminated, REFER to: Airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, Diagnosis and Testing).
  • If the airbag warning indicator is not illuminated, REFER to: Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes (413-01 Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes, Diagnosis and Testing).

Possible Sources

  • Refer to the pinpoint test
Diagnostic steps are not provided for this symptom or DTC.  REFER to: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
PINPOINT TEST C : SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CONCERNS

Normal Operation and Fault Conditions

The seatbelt retractor webbing does not extract or exhibits excessive pressure on the occupant during use

  • If the seatbelt retractor is in web sensing mode, unlock the locked seatbelt retractor. REFER to: Locked Seatbelt Retractor Releasing (501-20A Seatbelt Systems, General Procedures).
  • If the interior trim is not installed correctly, correct the interior trim installation. Refer to section 501-05.
  • If the seatbelt retractor is locked in Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode or is binding internally, REFER to: Seatbelt System Functional Tests (501-20A Seatbelt Systems, General Procedures).
    and carry out the appropriate functional test.

The seatbelt retractor webbing does not retract or has excessive slack during use

  • If the seatbelt webbing is twisted or incorrectly routed, REFER to: Seatbelt Tongue Rotated On Belt (501-20A Seatbelt Systems, General Procedures).
    or REFER to: Seatbelt Twisted at the Seatbelt Guide (501-20A Seatbelt Systems, General Procedures).
  • If the interior trim is not installed correctly, correct the interior trim installation. Refer to section 501-05.
  • If the seatbelt retractor is binding internally, REFER to: Seatbelt System Functional Tests (501-20A Seatbelt Systems, General Procedures).
    and carry out the appropriate functional test.

Possible Sources

  • Interior trim is not installed correctly
  • Twisted or incorrectly routed seatbelt webbing
  • Seatbelt retractor is in web sensing mode
  • Seatbelt retractor is in Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode (if equipped)
  • Seatbelt retractor binding internally
Diagnostic steps are not provided for this symptom or DTC.  REFER to: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
PINPOINT TEST D : BELT-MINDER® CONCERNS

Normal Operation and Fault Conditions

Using the diagnostic scan tool, verify the Belt-Minder® feature is activated.

  • If the Belt-Minder® isn't activated, activate the Belt-Minder® feature using the diagnostic scan tool or REFER to: Seatbelt Minder Deactivating/Activating (413-01 Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes, General Procedures).
  • If the Belt-Minder® feature is activated, REFER to: Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes (413-01 Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes, Diagnosis and Testing).

Possible Sources

  • Refer to the pinpoint test
Diagnostic steps are not provided for this symptom or DTC.  REFER to: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
PINPOINT TEST E : SEAT BELT WEBBING CONCERNS

Normal Operation and Fault Conditions

The seatbelt tongue is rotated on the seatbelt webbing

  • REFER to: Seatbelt Tongue Rotated On Belt (501-20A Seatbelt Systems, General Procedures).

The seatbelt webbing is twisted at the seatbelt guide

  • REFER to: Seatbelt Twisted at the Seatbelt Guide (501-20A Seatbelt Systems, General Procedures).

The seatbelt webbing is dirty or soiled

  • REFER to: Seatbelt Cleaning (501-20A Seatbelt Systems, General Procedures).

Possible Sources

  • Twisted or incorrectly routed seatbelt webbing
  • Dirty or soiled seatbelt webbing
Diagnostic steps are not provided for this symptom or DTC.  REFER to: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).

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