Description And Operation: Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2020 Jeep Renegade. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The seat belt tensioners are deployed in conjunction with the dual front airbags by signals generated by the ORC through the individual retractor (or sill end), tensioner (or anchor) line 1 and line 2 (or squib) circuits. When the ORC sends the proper electrical signal to the tensioner initiators, the electrical energy generates enough heat to initiate a small pyrotechnic MGG.

In sequence, the ORC activates the retractor tensioner, followed by the lower anchor tensioner. The retractor tensioner MGG drives the seat belt retractor spool causing slack to be removed from the seat belt. The lower anchor tensioner gas generator pulls the front seat belt webbing downward, causing the slack to be removed from the front seat belt.

Removing excess slack from the seat belts not only keeps the occupants properly positioned for an airbag deployment following a frontal impact of the vehicle, but also helps to reduce injuries that the occupants might experience in these situations as a result of harmful contact with the steering wheel, steering column, instrument panel, windshield or other interior objects. The seat belt retractors also have a mechanical-type load limiter consisting of a torsion bar mechanism that is designed to deform in order to reduce the force of the tightened seat belt on the chest of the seat occupant during a frontal impact, further reducing the potential for injuries.

The ORC monitors the condition of the seat belt tensioners through circuit resistance. If any fault is detected, the ORC will illuminate the airbag indicator in the instrument cluster and store a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC). Proper diagnosis of the seat belt tensioner initiators and squib circuits requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool and may also require the use of the Airbag Kit. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.