Driver Seat Belt Switch - Operation

OPERATION

The driver side seat belt switch is designed to control a path to ground for the seat belt switch sense input of the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). When the driver side front seat belt tip-half is inserted into the seat belt buckle, the switch closes the path to ground; and, when the driver side front seat belt tip-half is removed from the seat belt buckle, the switch opens the ground path. The switch is actuated by the latch mechanism within the seat belt buckle.

The seat belt switch is connected in series between ground and the seat belt switch sense input of the ORC. The ORC relays an electronic seat belt switch status message to other electronic modules in the vehicle over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. The seat belt switch receives ground at all times through its pigtail wire connection to the seat wire harness from a take out of the body wire harness. An eyelet terminal connector on the body wire harness ground take out is secured beneath a ground screw to the body sheet metal.

The seat belt switch as well as the hard wired circuits between the switch and the ORC may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. However, conventional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the electronic controls or communication between modules related to seat belt switch operation. The most reliable, efficient and accurate means to diagnose the seat belt switch requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.