Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation

Safety Belt System

CAUTION: Electronic modules are sensitive to static electrical charges. If exposed to these charges, damage may result.

NOTE: Repair is made by replacement only. If apart is replaced and the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and carry out the diagnostic procedure again.

The safety belt system fitted to the vehicle utilizes the conventional lap and diagonal three point fixing. The front and rear safety belts use a conventional static type buckle which is attached to the seat frame of each front seat and directly to the floor pan underneath the rear seats.
The front safety belt buckles and rear safety belt retractors incorporate pretensioners.

Each front safety belt buckle is fitted with a switch, which is connected through a wiring harness to a warning indicator which is housed within the instrument cluster. When the ignition is first turned on the warning indicator will illuminate only if the safety belt is not fastened. If the safety belt is fastened before the ignition is turned on the circuit is broken and the indicator will remain off. The safety belt retractors which are mounted within the base of the B pillars, incorporate a torsion bar load limiting device. This device consists of a retractor reel which is mounted onto a spindle (torsion bar) which once the sensor has locked the retractor reel and a predetermined load is applied, twists and additional webbing into the system. It should be considered that during any event that utilizes the full capability of the safety belts, the webbing may have been elongated and the torsion bar may have twisted. For this reason, if a vehicle is involved in an accident which results in the deployment of the airbag(s), all the safety belts that were in use at the time of the accident MUST NOT be reused, NEW safety belts MUST be installed.

Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
The retractors in all seat positions feature ELR. During any period of sudden deceleration, or under torsional load when cornering at speed, a sensor weight within the safety belt retractor moves a locking pawl against the teeth on the retractor reel, which then locks the retractor preventing any further release of webbing. As soon as the load applied onto the retractor through the safety belt webbing is removed the locking pawl releases the retractor reel and normal movement is returned to the retractor.

Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
Automatic locking retractors (ALR) are installed in all passenger seat positions. The safety belt webbing on these are clearly marked with a label to show their operating feature. The ALR feature is initiated by pulling all of the webbing from the retractor with the buckle fastened, when the webbing is then released as it retracts the retractor locks allowing travel only back into the retractor preventing the safety belt from introducing slack, and making any child seat it may be restraining more secure. The ALR mode of the retractor is disengaged by allowing the unfastened webbing to fully retract on to the reel.