Occupant Classification Sensor

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Mercury Mariner and 2007 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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

CAUTION: There are 2 occupant classification sensor (OCS) system service kits available for this vehicle (base seat and heated seat). Always make sure the correct OCS service kit is installed.

CAUTION: Make sure the seat is completely assembled before carrying out the OCS system reset.

CAUTION: The following precautions must be taken before carrying out the OCS system reset.

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 OCS system reset 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 carrying out the OCS system reset and nothing is placed on the seat during the process.
Make sure a minimum 8-second time period has passed after cycling the ignition switch ON before the OCS system reset process.

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

NOTE: To identify between a production OCS system and a OCS system service kit, inspect the OCS ECU electrical connector.

A production OCS system allows the disconnect of the electrical connector from the OCS ECU.

An OCS system service kit (OCS service kit) has the OCS ECU electrical connector glued to the ECU, it cannot and should not be disconnected or altered. An OCS system service kit also has an in-line 18-pin connector between the OCS ECU and the seat wiring harness.

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 equipped with a heated seat element must be installed.

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

The seat occupant classification sensor system is found only on the front passenger seat. The front passenger seat occupant classification sensor (OCS) system is comprised of a silicone gel-filled bladder mounted in the seat cushion, a pressure sensor that is mounted to the seat frame and an electronic control unit which is also mounted to the seat frame. Pressure is applied to the OCS bladder when the weight of any occupant or object in the front passenger seat is present. The pressure is then transferred through a tube, is sensed by the OCS pressure sensor, then electronically communicated to the OCS electronic control unit. Based on programmed limits, the OCS electronic control unit will inform the restraints control module (RCM), via a High Speed Controller Area Network (CAN), of the necessary information. The RCM uses this information in determining if the passenger air bag module or passenger seat side air bag module is to be deployed in the event of a deployable collision. The OCS system components (seat cushion foam pad, bladder with pressure sensor and electronic control unit) are calibrated to each other and are serviced as an assembly. OCS system components are not to be installed separately. If installing a new OCS system, OCS system component or seat cushion foam pad, a new OCS system service kit (seat cushion foam pad, bladder with pressure sensor and electronic control unit) must be installed as an assembly.

The OCS system is also used for operation of the passenger Belt Minder. For information on the passenger Belt Minder feature, refer to SAFETY BELT SYSTEM article. To deactivate or reactivate the passenger Belt Minder feature, refer to WARNING DEVICES article or the owner literature.