Preliminary Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Before diagnosing or repairing the safety belt system, inspect the following items:

Safety belt webbing integrity (torn, frayed, cut or stretched)
Safety belt buckle and tongue assembly

SYMPTOM DESCRIPTION - SAFETY BELT SYSTEM

Condition	Possible Sources	Actions
The safety belt warning indicator does not operate	Burned-out indicator Wiring, terminals or connectors IPC Restraints Control Module	If the air bag warning indicator is illuminated, REFER to AIRBAG AND SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER SRS , Symptom Chart: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). If the air bag warning indicator is not illuminated, REFER to INSTRUMENTATION, MESSAGE CENTER AND WARNING CHIMES , Symptom Chart: IPC .
The safety belt warning chime does not operate	Wiring, terminals or connectors Safety belt switch IPC Restraints Control Module	If the air bag warning indicator is illuminated, REFER to AIRBAG AND SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER SRS , Symptom Chart: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). If the air bag warning indicator is not illuminated, REFER to INSTRUMENTATION, MESSAGE CENTER AND WARNING CHIMES , Symptom Chart: IPC .
The safety belt retractor webbing does not extract or exhibits excessive pressure on the occupant during use, all retractors except driver and second row outboard with inflatable shoulder belt	Safety belt retractor is in ALR mode Safety belt retractor binding internally	CARRY OUT the FUNCTIONAL TEST - SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR, ALR MODE or SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR, ALR MODE, INFLATABLE SAFETY BELT . REFER to COMPONENT TEST . INSTALL new components as directed. CARRY OUT the FUNCTIONAL TEST - SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR . REFER to COMPONENT TEST . INSTALL new components as directed.
The safety belt retractor webbing does not extract at the rear outboard seating positions, second row outboard with inflatable shoulder belt	Safety belt retractor is in web sensing mode	REFER to LOCKED SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR RELEASING .
The safety belt retractor webbing does not retract or has excessive slack during use	Twisted or incorrectly routed safety belt webbing Safety belt retractor binding internally	For second row outboard seating positions on vehicles equipped with inflatable safety belts, VERIFY that the lap belt is correctly connected to the shoulder belt, without any twists in either belt. CORRECT the twisted safety belt webbing. REFER to SAFETY BELT TONGUE ROTATED ON BELT or REFER to SAFETY BELT TWISTED AT THE SAFETY BELT GUIDE . CARRY OUT the FUNCTIONAL TEST - SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR . REFER to COMPONENT TEST .
	Safety belt retractor	INSTALL a new safety belt retractor. REFER to the appropriate REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION procedure in this information.
The Belt-Minder® feature is inoperative	Belt-Minder® feature is deactivated Wiring, terminals or connectors	REFER to BELT-MINDER® DEACTIVATING/ACTIVATING or the Seating and Safety Restraints section of the Owner's Literature to activate the Belt-Minder® feature. If the Belt-Minder® is activated, REFER to INSTRUMENTATION, MESSAGE CENTER AND WARNING CHIMES , Symptom Chart: Warning Chimes to diagnose the inoperative Belt-Minder® feature.
The safety belt tongue is rotated at the webbing	Twisted or incorrectly routed safety belt webbing	REFER to SAFETY BELT TONGUE ROTATED ON BELT .
The safety belt webbing is dirty or soiled	Dirty or soiled safety belt webbing	REFER to SAFETY BELT CLEANING .