Remote Deployment Of Seat Belt Pretensioners (With Side Curtain & Side AIR Bags, Seats Removed)
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Monterey and 2004 Ford Freestar. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
This procedure is to be used when a vehicle with a live pretensioner is to be scrapped.
WARNING:
Pretensioners being deployed may cause objects to be projected away from pretensioner. Also, loud noise occurs during deployment. Personal injury and hearing damage may result. To ensure physical and hearing safety, perform remote deployment outdoors and keep all personnel at least 20 feet (6.09 m) away from deployment area. Wear safety goggles and hearing protection during deployment procedure.
- Before proceeding, see AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM.
- Remove pretensioner. See SEAT BELT BUCKLE PRETENSIONER/SWITCH ASSEMBLY
under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Cut pretensioner connector from main wiring harness, leaving about 4" (101.6 mm) of extra wire. Strip 1" of insulation from wire ends. Connect pretensioner connector to pretensioner. Obtain 2 wires, 20 gauge minimum and each at least 20 feet long. Connect one end of each 20-foot wire to one end of each pretensioner wire. See Fig 1
.WARNING: Seat belt pretensioner can ricochet when deployed. Personal injury may result. When placing a live pretensioner on a bench or other surface, always position pretensioner so that moveable parts do not contact surface. This will reduce motion of pretensioner, if accidentally deployed.
- Place pretensioner on a flat surface in remote area (such as parking lot or field) in such a way that moving parts are not contacting surface. Remain at least 20 feet away from pretensioner. Deploy pretensioner by touching loose ends of both wires to 12-volt battery terminals.
- If successful, a loud noise will be heard. Allow at least 10 minutes for cooling before approaching pretensioner. Pretensioner is now inoperative. If pretensioner does not deploy, pretensioner is faulty. Contact vehicle manufacturer for further instructions on disposal procedures.