TENSIONER, Seat Belt: Operation

The seat belt tensioners are deployed in conjunction with the dual front airbags by a signal generated by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) through the driver or passenger seat belt tensioner line 1 and line 2 (or squib) circuits. When the ORC sends the proper electrical signal to the tensioners, the electrical energy generates enough heat to initiate a small pyrotechnic gas generator.

The gas generator is installed in one end of the tubular metal piston housing, which contains a piston and a small rack gear. As the gas expands, it pushes the piston and the rack gear through the tube. The rack gear engages a pinion gear that drives a gear set within the tensioner housing, which rotates the seat belt retractor spool causing slack to be removed from the front seat belt webbing.

Removing excess slack from the front seat belts not only keeps the occupants properly positioned for an airbag deployment following a frontal impact of the vehicle, but also helps to reduce injuries that the occupant might experience in these situations as a result of harmful contact with the steering wheel, steering column, instrument panel or windshield. Also, the seat belt retractor has a two-stage mechanism that is designed to control the loading being applied to the occupants by the seat belts during a frontal impact, further reducing the potential for occupant injuries.

The ORC monitors the condition of the seat belt tensioners through circuit resistance. If any fault is detected the ORC will illuminate the airbag indicator in the instrument cluster and store a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC). Proper diagnosis of the seat belt tensioner gas generator and squib circuits requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool and may also require the use of the SRS Load Tool special tool along with the appropriate Load Tool Jumpers and Adapters. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.