Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Ford Pickup. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: The safety belt pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device. Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag equipped vehicle and when handling a safety belt buckle pretensioner or safety belt retractor pretensioner. Never probe a pretensioner electrical connector. Doing so could result in pretensioner or air bag deployment and could result in personal injury.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of personal injury, do not use any memory saver devices.

CAUTION: It is necessary to rezero the OCS system when a front passenger seat cushion is disassembled, a new trim cover is installed or an OCS service kit is installed. A diagnostic tool is used to trigger the active command to carry out rezeroing of the OCS system.

NOTE: Repair is made by installing a new part only. If the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and perform the diagnostic procedure again.

NOTE: If a seat equipped with a supplemental restraint system (SRS) component is being serviced, the SRS must be depowered.

NOTE: The air bag warning lamp illuminates when the RCM fuse is removed and the ignition switch is ON. This is normal operation and does not indicate a supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault.

NOTE: The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

NOTE: For vehicles with power seats, position the seat cushion to its lowest position before disconnecting the power seat.

NOTE: Power seat shown, manual seat similar.

All seats

Remove the seat and depower the SRS. For additional information, refer to SEAT - FRONT .
If equipped, disconnect the power seat switch electrical connector.

NOTE: Recline the seat backrest before removing the recliner handle to ease seat cushion assembly removal.

Fig 1: Removing Recliner Handle Clip

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the recliner handle.
- Release the clip at the rear of side shield by detaching the clip from the metal bracket on the track. Partially flex the side shield at the rear to obtain access to the recliner handle clip. Remove the recliner handle clip (shown removed for clarity) and the recliner handle.
If equipped, remove the lumbar knob.
Remove the side shield control panel.
If equipped, disconnect the memory seat switch electrical connector.
Remove the pin-type retainer from the front of the side shield.
Remove the 3 screws and the side shield.

Fig 2: Removing Side Shield
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the safety belt buckle pretensioner electrical connector.
Disconnect the safety belt buckle switch electrical connector.
If equipped, disconnect the heat element electrical connector.

Seats with seat integrated restraints (SIR)

Remove the safety belt anchor nut.
- To install, tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).

All seats

If equipped, disconnect the power seat track motor electrical connector and release any pin-type retainers attached to the seat cushion pan.

Fig 3: Disconnecting Power Seat Track Motor Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
If equipped, disconnect the 3 memory seat motor position sensor (one shown) electrical connectors and release any pin-type retainers attached to the seat cushion pan.

Fig 4: Disconnecting Memory Seat Motor Position Sensor Electrical Connectors
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Disconnect and release any remaining electrical connectors and pin-type retainers attached to the seat cushion and pan assembly.

Fig 5: Removing Seat Cushion And Pan Assembly

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the 4 nuts and the seat cushion and pan assembly.
- To install, tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).

NOTE: The lumbar adjuster must be removed to remove the backrest from the seat cushion assembly.

Fig 6: Removing Recliner Adjuster Assembly

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the 2 screws and the recliner adjuster assembly.

NOTE: The lumbar assembly must be fully relaxed.

Fig 7: Separating Lumbar Support Adjuster From Adjuster Cable

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Separate the lumbar support adjuster from the adjuster cable.
- Route the lumbar cable through the seat, noting route for installation.
Remove the 2 outboard recliner adjuster bolts.
1. To install, tighten to 35 Nm (26 lb-ft).
2. To install, tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
Fig 8: Removing 2 Outboard Recliner Adjuster Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the inboard recliner adjuster bolt.
- To install, tighten to 35 Nm (26 lb-ft).
Fig 9: Removing Inboard Recliner Adjuster Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Do not damage the plastic pivot bushing when removing or installing the pivot bolt.

Fig 10: Removing Backrest Inboard Pivot Bolt

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the backrest inboard pivot bolt.
- To install, tighten to 35 Nm (26 lb-ft).
Remove the backrest outboard pivot bolt and remove the backrest.
- To install, tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
Fig 11: Removing Backrest Outboard Pivot Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Install the seat and repower the SRS. Do not prove out the system at this time. For additional information, refer to SEAT - FRONT .

Passenger seat

CAUTION: Make sure the seat is completely assembled before rezeroing.

CAUTION: The following precautions must be taken before rezeroing the OCS system:

Make sure the OCS system components are connected and no faults are present.
Make sure the OCS system is not at a temperature below 0°C (32°F) or above 45°C (113°F) when initiating the rezeroing process. If the vehicle has been exposed to extreme cold or hot temperatures, the vehicle must be exposed and kept at a temperature within the limits, 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F) for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Make sure nothing is present on the passenger seat before rezeroing and nothing is placed on the seat during the rezeroing process.
Make sure a minimum 8-second time period has passed after cycling the ignition switch ON before the rezeroing process.

NOTE: For best results in rezeroing, the OCS system should be at or near room temperature, 10°C to 29°C (50°F to 85°F).

NOTE: If the first attempt to rezero the OCS system is unsuccessful, a second attempt must be made.

NOTE: The ignition switch must be cycled after rezeroing the OCS system.

Re-zero the occupant classification sensor.
- With the front passenger seat empty, use a diagnostic tool to trigger the active command and rezero the occupant classification sensor.

NOTE: The ignition switch must be cycled after rezeroing the OCS system.

Cycle the ignition switch from ON to OFF.

All seats

Prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS) as follows:
Turn the ignition key from ON to OFF. Wait 10 seconds, then turn the key back to ON and visually monitor the air bag indicator with the air bag modules installed. The air bag indicator will light continuously for approximately 6 seconds and then turn OFF. If an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault is present, the air bag indicator will:
- Fail to light.
- Remain lit continuously.
- Flash.
The flashing might not occur until approximately 30 seconds after the ignition switch has been turned from the OFF to the ON position. This is the time required for the restraints control module (RCM) to complete the testing of the SRS. If the air bag indicator is inoperative and a SRS fault exists, a chime will sound in a pattern of 5 sets of 5 beeps. If this occurs, the air bag indicator and any SRS fault discovered must be diagnosed and repaired.

Clear all continuous DTCs from the restraints control module using a diagnostic tool.