Switch, Seat Belt, Driver: Operation

The front seat belt switches are designed to control a hard wired sense input to the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). When the front seat belt tip-half is inserted and latched into the seat belt buckle, the switch provides an input to the ORC; and, when the front seat belt tip-half is removed from the seat belt buckle, the switch opens the input circuit. The switch is actuated by the latch mechanism within the seat belt buckle.

The seat belt switches receive a supply of current from the ORC, and the ORC senses the status of the front seat belt buckles through its connection to the seat wire harnesses. The ORC controls the illumination of the seat belt indicator and the generation of audible electronic chime tones based upon that input. The ORC monitors the passenger side seat belt switch and Occupant Detection Sensor (ODS) input status through hard wired inputs. If the ORC logic determines that a seat belt is not buckled while a seat is occupied, it sends an electronic message to the Instrument Cluster (IC) (also known as the Common Instrument Cluster/CIC) over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus requesting seat belt indicator illumination.

The hard wired circuits between the seat belt switches and the ORC may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. However, conventional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the switches or the electronic controls and communication between other modules and devices that provide features of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). The most reliable, efficient and accurate means to diagnose the seat belt switches or the electronic controls and communication related to seat belt switch operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.