Your Vehicle: 2001 Ford Escort ZX2 L4-2.0L DOHC VIN 3
 
Vehicle » Restraints and Safety Systems » Seat Belt Systems » Testing and Inspection » Component Tests and General Diagnostics » Functional Test  
 
 
  Functional Test  
 

NOTE: If the retractor of a new safety belt assembly has been bolted into a damaged or distorted mounting area, the new retractor could be warped and may not function. If this is the case, reshape the sheet metal back to original shape and structural integrity and install another new complete safety belt assembly.

  1. Determine the type(s) of safety belt assembly(s) that have been replaced. Then functionally test the new safety belt assembly using the following procedure:
    • The driver will buckle up and proceed to a safe test area. A passenger should be buckled into the seat where the belt is to be tested.
  1. After reaching a safe area to perform sudden stops, the driver will attain a speed of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph) . The driver should inform the passenger that he is preparing to make a severe brake application. At this time, both driver and passenger should grasp their respective shoulder harnesses and prepare to lean slightly forward at the moment the brake application is made.

WARNING: THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER MUST BE PREPARED TO BRACE THEMSELVES IN THE EVENT THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT LOCK.

  1. The driver will make a maximum brake application (approximately 9.75 m/sq.sec [32 ft/sq.sec] ) without tire skid. (The maximum brake application should be on dry concrete or equivalent hard road surface, never on a wet or gravel road.) The driver and passenger should lean forward slightly into the shoulder harnesses. At this instant, the safety belts should lock up without belt webbing payout.
  2. If there is a lockup of both shoulder straps, the safety belt assemblies are functioning correctly. Should either or both retractors fail to lock up at the 8 km/h (5 mph) speed, the test should be repeated at a constant 24 km/h (15 mph) .
  3. If either or both shoulder safety belts do not lock up at the 24 km/h (15 mph) test, repair the malfunctioning safety belts. Remove the retractor and rework the sheet metal back to its original shape and structural integrity of the retractor's mounting surface. Install the retractor assembly and test the safety belt assembly(s).