Fasten Safety Belt Indicator
The instrument panel cluster (IPC) illuminates the fasten safety belt indicator
when any of the following occur:
| • | The inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) detects
that the driver's seat belt is unbuckled, or the signal circuit is low. The body
control module (BCM) receives the seat belt switch signal via Class 2
from the SDM. The IPC receives a Class 2 message from the BCM requesting
illumination. The IPC illuminates the indicator for 20 seconds and
then flashes the indicator for 55 seconds. The IPC sends a Class 2
message to the BCM indicating that the indicator is illuminated. The BCM
sends a Class 2 message to the radio in order to activate an audible
warning. |
| • | The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle.
The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds. |
Restraint System
Seat belts are the primary means of occupant restraint.
Seat belts help to keep occupants inside the passenger compartment and to
gradually reduce the impact forces during the following events:
| • | Frontal impact type crashes |
| • | Rear impact type crashes |
| • | Side impact type crashes |
All seat belt retractors have emergency locks. The retractors remain unlocked
during normal operation and under normal driving conditions. The
retractors remain unlocked during normal conditions in order to allow
free movement of the upper body of each occupant.
A pendulum locks the seat belt webbing into position. The pendulum causes
a locking bar to engage a cog on the spool of the retractor mechanism
when the following conditions occur:
| • | A rapid extraction of the seat belt webbing from the retractor |
| • | An abrupt change in the vehicle speed |
| • | An abrupt change in the vehicle direction |
| • | Operation of the vehicle on a steep upgrade |
| • | Operation of the vehicle on a steep downgrade |
The front passenger seat belt has an automatic locking feature,
or cinch feature. The cinch feature is recommended for securing a child seat. The
cinch feature is engaged by fully extending the seat belt from the retractor. Once
engaged, the seat belt can retract, but cannot be extended again until the cinch feature
is cancelled. The cinch feature is cancelled when the seat belt has fully retracted.
This vehicle is also equipped with a supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR)
system. Refer to
SIR System Description and Operation
in SIR.
Front Seat System
The front seat belt system includes the following components:
| • | The driver and passenger side seat belt buckles, attached to the inboard
side of the seat frame |
| • | The driver and passenger side seat belt retractors, attached to the
lock pillar on 2-door models, or the center pillar on 4-door models |
The driver seat belt system includes a seat belt switch in the driver side seat
belt buckle. The seat belt switch controls the fasten safety belt indicator
and a tone alarm. The fasten safety belt indicator and the tone
alarm will not operate when the following conditions exist:
| • | The driver seat belt is buckled. |
| • | The driver door is closed. |
| • | The ignition switch is turned ON. |
The following events will occur when the driver door is closed and the ignition
switch is turned ON, but the driver seat belt is not buckled:
| • | The tone alarm will operate for 4-8 seconds and then turn
off. |
| • | The fasten safety belt indicator will operate until the driver seat
belt is buckled, or until approximately one minute has elapsed. |
Refer to
Seat Belt Indicator Circuit Malfunction
in Seat Belts in order to diagnose faults in the fasten safety belt
indicator or Wiring Systems in Body and Accessories in order to diagnose faults
in the tone alarm.
Rear Seat System
The rear seat belt system includes the following components:
| • | The rear seat belt buckles, attached to the floor panel inboard of
the rear seats |
| • | The rear seat belt retractors, attached to the rear package shelf |
