Seat Belt Indicator

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Dodge Journey. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The seat belt indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator of the status of the driver side front seat belt (export market vehicles) or driver and passenger front seat belts (domestic market vehicles). This indicator is controlled by a transistor on the IC circuit board based upon programming and electronic messages received over the CAN data bus from the ORC.

The seat belt indicator also includes a programmable enhanced seat belt reminder or BELTMINDER feature that is enabled when the vehicle is shipped from the factory. This BELTMINDER feature can be disabled and enabled by the customer using a specific programming event sequence, or by the dealer using a diagnostic scan tool.

The seat belt indicator LED is completely controlled by the IC logic circuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to operate when the IC receives a battery current input on the fused ignition output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the LED will always be OFF when the ignition switch status is anything except ON or START. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground by the IC transistor. The IC will turn ON the seat belt indicator for the following reasons:

Seat Belt Reminder Function - Each time the IC receives a battery current input on the fused ignition switch (run-start) circuit, the indicator will be illuminated as a seat belt reminder for about six seconds, or until the ignition switch status transitions to OFF, whichever occurs first. This reminder function will occur regardless of the status of the seat belt switch input to the ORC.
Front Seat Belt Not Buckled - Beltminder Active - Following the seat belt reminder function, each time the IC receives an electronic seat belt indicator lamp-On message from the ORC while the ignition switch status is START or ON, the indicator will be illuminated. In addition, if the front seat belt remains unbuckled about 18 to 25 seconds after the conclusion of the seat belt reminder function with the vehicle speed greater than about 8 kilometers-per-hour (5 miles-per-hour), the seat belt indicator will begin to cycle between flashing ON and OFF for 3 seconds, then lighting solid for 2 seconds. The seat belt indicator will continue to cycle between flashing and solid illumination for 13 complete cycles, until the seat belt switch sense inputs to the ORC are closed circuits (seat belt switch closed = seat belt buckled), or until the ignition switch status transitions to OFF, whichever occurs first.
Front Seat Belt Not Buckled - Beltminder Inactive - Following the seat belt reminder function, each time the IC receives an electronic seat belt indicator lamp-On message from the ORC while the ignition switch status is START or ON, the indicator will be illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the IC receives a lamp-OFF message from the ORC or until the ignition switch status transitions to OFF, whichever occurs first.

Each seat belt switch is connected in series between source current and a sense circuit from the ORC. The ORC continually monitors the seat belt switch circuits then sends the proper lamp-on or lamp-off messages to the IC. The seat belt switch inputs to the ORC may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. For proper diagnosis of the ORC, the IC, the CAN data bus or the electronic communication related to seat belt indicator operation a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.