Seat Belt Tensioner - Description
DESCRIPTION
The front seat belts for both front seats in this vehicle incorporate dual tensioners. One tensioner is integral to the retractor, and one tensioner is integral to the anchor buckle. The passenger side front retractor also incorporates an adaptive load limiter feature. Each of these items is described in further detail in the information that follows.
ADAPTIVE LOAD LIMITER
An adaptive load-limiting device is integral to the front passenger seat belt retractor to supplement the anchor buckle and retractor tensioners. The adaptive load limiter is controlled by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). The front passenger retractor has a two pyrotechnic initiators, one for the adaptive load limiter and one for the tensioner. The adaptive load limiter initiator is connected to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated take out of the body wire harness by a keyed and latching yellow molded plastic connector insulator to ensure a secure connection.
The adaptive load limiter cannot be repaired and, if ineffective or damaged, the entire front seat belt and retractor unit must be replaced. If the front airbags have been deployed, the adaptive load limiter has also been deployed. The adaptive load limiter is not intended for reuse and must be replaced following any front airbag deployment. Seat Belt Retractor - Removal.
ANCHOR BUCKLE TENSIONER
A seat belt anchor buckle tensioner supplements the dual front airbag system for all versions of this vehicle. These tensioners are integral to the front seat belt anchor buckle units (1), which are secured by to the inside of the sill at the base of the B-pillar outboard of each front seat. The anchor buckle tensioner consists of a buckle, a cable and piston, a cable guide and bracket, a metal cylinder tube and a small pyrotechnically activated gas generator (2). The anchor buckle tensioners are controlled by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) and are connected to the vehicle electrical system through dedicated take outs of the body wire harness by keyed and latching yellow molded plastic connector insulators to ensure a secure connection.
A special procedure requiring two small Allen key wrenches is used to disconnect the seat belt anchor latch plate from the anchor buckle. Procedures.
The anchor buckle tensioners cannot be repaired and, if ineffective or damaged, the entire anchor buckle unit must be replaced. If the front airbags have been deployed, the anchor buckle tensioners have also been deployed. The anchor buckle tensioners are not intended for reuse and must be replaced following any front airbag deployment. Procedures.
RETRACTOR TENSIONER
Seat belt retractor tensioners supplement the dual front airbag system for all versions of this vehicle. These tensioners are integral to the front seat belt and retractor units (1), which are secured to the inner B-pillar on the right and left sides of the vehicle. The retractor is concealed beneath the molded plastic inner B-pillar trim. The retractor tensioners are controlled by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). Each retractor tensioner has an initiator (2) connected to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated take out of the body wire harness by keyed and latching yellow molded plastic connector insulator to ensure a secure connection.
The passenger side front retractor has a second, dedicated pyrotechnic initiator for the Adaptive Load Limiter feature, which is also connected to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated take out of the body wire harness.
The retractor tensioners cannot be repaired and, if ineffective or damaged, the entire front seat belt and retractor unit must be replaced. If the front airbags have been deployed, the retractor tensioners have also been deployed. The retractor tensioners are not intended for reuse and must be replaced following any front airbag deployment. A growling or grinding sound while attempting to operate the seat belt retractor is a sure indication that the retractor tensioner has been deployed and requires replacement. Seat Belt Retractor - Removal.