Operation

OPERATION

The seatbelt indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator of the status of the driver side front seat belt. This indicator is controlled by a transistor on the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and a hard wired input from the seatbelt switch on the driver side front seat belt retractor through the seat belt switch sense circuits.

The seatbelt indicator also includes a programmable enhanced seatbelt 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 seatbelt indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to operate when the instrument cluster receives a battery current input on the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the LED will always be OFF when the ignition switch is in any position except ON or START. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground by the instrument cluster transistor. The instrument cluster will turn ON the seatbelt indicator for the following reasons:

- Seatbelt Reminder Function - Each time the cluster receives a battery current input on the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit, the indicator will be illuminated as a seatbelt reminder for about six seconds, or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first. This reminder function will occur regardless of the status of the seatbelt switch inputs to the cluster.
- Front Seatbelt Not Buckled - Beltminder Active - Following the seatbelt reminder function, each time the cluster detects an open circuit on the front seat belt switch sense circuit (seatbelt switch open = seatbelt unbuckled) with the ignition switch in the START or ON positions, the indicator will be illuminated. In addition, if the front seat belt remains unbuckled about 4 seconds after the conclusion of the seatbelt reminder function, the seatbelt indicator will begin to cycle between flashing ON and OFF for 3 seconds, then lighting solid for 2 seconds. The seatbelt indicator will continue to cycle between flashing and solid illumination for 13 complete cycles, until the seat belt switch sense input to the cluster is a closed circuit to ground (seatbelt switch closed = seatbelt buckled), or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first.
- Front Seatbelt Not Buckled - Beltminder Inactive - Following the seatbelt reminder function, each time the cluster detects an open circuit on the seat belt switch sense circuit (seatbelt switch open = seatbelt unbuckled) with the ignition switch in the START or ON positions, the indicator will be illuminated. The seatbelt indicator remains illuminated until the seat belt indicator input to the cluster is a closed circuit to ground (seatbelt switch closed = seatbelt buckled), or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first.
- Actuator Test - Each time the cluster is put through the actuator test, the seatbelt indicator will be turned ON, then OFF again during the bulb check portion of the test to confirm the functionality of the LED and the cluster control circuitry.

The seatbelt switch is connected in series between ground and the seat belt switch sense circuit input to the instrument cluster. The seatbelt switch input to the instrument cluster circuitry may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information.