Seat Cushion Cover - Front: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Montego, 2005 Ford Freestyle, and 2005 Ford Five Hundred. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

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

CAUTION: It is necessary to rezero the occupant classification sensor (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: The heated seat element on the front passenger seat cushion is not serviceable separately. If a new heated seat element is needed on the front passenger seat cushion, a new occupant classification sensor (OCS) service kit and a new heated seat element must be installed.

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 restraint control module (RCM) fuse is removed and the ignition switch is ON. This is normal operation and does not indicate a SRS fault.

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

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.

All seats

Position the seat to access all the seat track-to-floor pan bolts and the safety belt anchor.
Depower the SRS. For additional information, refer to Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering and Repowering in the General Procedures portion of SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM .
Remove the front seat. For additional information, refer to SEAT - FRONT .

Seats with manual recline

Pull out and remove the manual recline handle.

Power seats

Remove the seat control switch knob.

Seat with power recline

Remove the power backrest adjust knob.

All seats

Remove the rear screw, pull out on the side and front and separate the side shield.
- Vehicles with manual seats, remove the side shield.

Power seats

Release the seat control switch wire harness pin-type retainer. Remove the seat control switch from the side shield and position the side shield aside.

All seats

Release the hook and loop strip at the rear of the cushion trim cover.
Release all cushion trim cover-to-seat cushion pan J-clips.
Remove the hog rings and seat cushion trim cover.
- When installing, make sure the safety belt buckle is positioned through the seat cushion trim cover opening.
  
  Fig 1: Locating Hog Rings For Seat Cushion Trim Cover
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Install the seat. For additional information, refer to SEAT - FRONT .
Repower the SRS. o not prove out the SRS at this time. For additional information, refer to Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering and Repowering in the General Procedures portion of SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM .

Passenger seat

WARNING: Do not separate components.

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.

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.

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

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.