Ford Falcon. Manual — part 444

501-20a-5

Occupant Restraints — Active

501-20a-5

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

plug originally fitted in the hole or seal the hole

Wagon

with a suitable plug or suitable bolt.

Item

Description

1

Bracket

2

Screw

To gain access to the anchorage points it is

necessary to remove the small plug from the

anchorage to install the appropriate bolt, lock washer,

anchor fitting and spacer.

Ute

Ensure the anchor fitting is correctly oriented towards

the front of the vehicle, when the bolt is tightened.
The components supplied with child restraints

conforming to AS1754-1991 must be selected to suit

the anchorage point(s) in the vehicle.
Additional anchorage components may be obtained

from child restraint manufacturers or suppliers. Please

read and follow all the instructions supplied with the

child restraint. If you have any doubts, contact the

child restraint manufacturer or consult an approved

Restraint Fitting Station.
Child restraint anchorage points are manufactured

into the vehicle. Consult the car owner’s manual for

the location of the anchorage points.

WARNING: If the child restraint attachment

bolt is removed from the floor of your vehicle the

hole must be effectively sealed to prevent exhaust

gases entering the vehicle interior. Reinstall the

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501-20a-6

Occupant Restraints — Active

501-20a-6

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

Visual Inspection Chart

Occupant Restraint System

Mechanical

Electrical

Inspection and Verification

Webbing

Pretensioner wire

Safety belt retractor

Warning indicator bulb

1. Verify the customer concern by operating the

and tongue assembly

on cluster

safety belts

Safety belt buckle and

2. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical

pretensioner

and electrical damage. Refer to the Visual

Safety belt shoulder

Inspection Chart.

height adjuster

3. If the concern is not evident, verify the system

and proceed to the Symptom Chart.

Symptom Chart

Condition

Source

Action

Normal mode - occupant restraint

Webbing

CARRY OUT the Component Test in

system inoperative

Safety belt retractor

this section.

Safety belt warning indicator bulb is

Safety belt switch

Bulb Refer to DTC (Diagnostic Trouble

Circuitry

inoperative

Code) table in Section 501-20B.

RCM

1. Select for this test a quiet or private stretch of

Component Tests

road. Make sure that the road is clear and that full

Poor Retraction

visibility is maintained at all times.

2. Both driver and passenger should adopt a normal,

If a safety belt does not retract correctly, check that

comfortable seating position. Both occupants

the trim bezels are correctly installed and not rubbing

should wear the safety belts and the safety belt

against the safety belt webbing. Where necessary,

webbing must be correctly adjusted, with no slack.

check that the safety belt webbing is not rubbing at

one end of the retractor cover slot and, if so, correct

3. Proceed at a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph). Do not

by loosening the retaining bolt, aligning the retractor

exceed 10 km/h (6 mph) for this test.

to centralize the safety belt webbing and retighten the 4. Apply the foot brake sharply to stop the vehicle. If

bolt.

both shoulder straps lock up, the safety belt

retractor assemblies are functioning properly.

Functional Test

5. Conduct the test twice in each front and rear

passenger seat position.

WARNING: It is important that during this test

the driver and passenger allows the safety belts to 6. Any safety belt retractor, which does not restrain

provide the restraint and do not attempt to

the wearer during this test, must not be reused. A

anticipate the sudden deceleration. The steering

new complete safety belt must be installed.

wheel should not be used as a brace. However,

Static Test

both drive and passenger should prepare

themselves for the possibility that the safety belt

With the vehicle stationary and on level ground take

will not lock. The passenger should hold their

firm hold of the safety belt webbing (on the tongue

hands in front of them, just clear of the instrument side of the safety belt upper anchor) and pull out

panel or front seat backrest, depending on which

quickly. The retractor should lock within 0.25 meter

safety belt is being tested. Failure to follow these

(10 inches), preventing further webbing payout. Any

instructions may result in personal injury.

safety belt retractor from which it is possible to extract

further webbing, must not be used. A new complete
safety belt must be installed.

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501-20a-7

Occupant Restraints — Active

501-20a-7

GENERAL PROCEDURES

3. Buckle the seat belt.

Occupant Restraints — Active

4. Press and hold the hazard button.

Safety Belt Cleaning

5. Unbuckle then buckle the seat belt.
6. Release the hazard switch. This will disable Belt

WARNING: Do not bleach or re-dye the

Minder if it is currently enabled, or enable Belt

webbing, as the webbing may weaken.

Minder if it is currently disabled.

Clean the safety belt webbing only with a mild soap

Confirmation of disabling Belt Minder is

solution recommended for cleaning upholstery or

provided when the seat belt warning light

carpets. Follow the instruction provided with soap.

flashes 5 times.

Safety Belt Procedure After a Collision

Confirmation of enabling Belt Minder is

provided by constant illumination of the seat

WARNING: All safety belt assemblies

belt warning light for 5 seconds.

including retractors, buckles, front seat belt

buckle support assemblies, shoulder belt height

adjusters, if so equipped, child safety seat tether

attachments, and attaching hardware should be

inspected after any collision. All belt assemblies

should be replaced 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

replaced if either damage or improper operation is

noted.
NOTE: Safety belt assemblies should be periodically

inspected to make sure they have not become

damaged and that they remain in correct operating

condition, particularly if they have been subjected to

severe stress. Before installing the new safety belt

assembly, the safety belt attaching areas must be

inspected for damage and distortion. If the attaching

points are damaged and distorted, the sheet metal

must be reworked back to its original shape and

structural integrity.

Install the new safety belt(s) using the appropriate

instructions. Perform the Functional Test.

Belt Minder Deactivation/Activation

CAUTION: The Belt Minder feature can be

deactivated/activated by performing the following

procedure. Before following the procedure, make

sure that:

the parking brake is on
the gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic

transmission) or the neutral position (manual

transmission)
the ignition switch is in the OFF position
all vehicle doors are closed
the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled
the parklights/headlights are OFF

WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury, do

not deactivate/activate the Belt Minder feature

while driving the vehicle.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. (DO

NOT START THE ENGINE)

2. Wait until the seat belt warning light turns off.

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501-20a-8

Occupant Restraints — Active

501-20a-8

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

4. Remove the safety belt shoulder height adjuster.

Front Safety Belt Retractor

Using M10 socket, remove the bolt.

Special Tool(s)

Remove the safety belt shoulder height

adjuster.

Torx Bit T-50

Removal
1. Remove the safety belt anchor.

Remove plastic bolt cap
Using the special tool, remove the bolt
Remove the safety belt anchor

Item

Description

1

Screw & Washer M8x20 Hex Flng

2

Belt & Rectractor Asy Frt

Installation
1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

NOTE: Make sure to tighten all bolts to

Item

Description

specification.

1

Belt & Retractor Asy Frt

NOTE: Make sure the safety belt webbing is not

2

Bolt 7/16 20

twisted prior to installation.

3

Screw Cap

NOTE: Make sure to align and install the safety

4

Spacer (UTE Only)

belt retractor locating ear into the B-pillar sheet

metal before installing the bolt.

2. Remove the B pillar trim panel. Refer to Section

501-05

NOTE: Make sure the trim spreader bracket is

fitted to the B pillar sheet metal before installing

3. Remove the front safety belt retractor.

the height adjuster.

Using the special tool, remove the bolt

2. Check the active restraint system for correct

Remove the front safety belt retractor

operation.

Rear Outer Safety Belt Retractor

Removal
1. Remove the rear seat cushion. Refer to Section

501-10.

Item

Description

1

Belt & Retractor Asy Frt

2

Screw M10x1.5

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