Procedure
Perform the following procedures on both front seat belts (not rear or shoulder belts).
1. Determine whether the buckle is within the production range for this recall: Depress the seat belt buckle release button and check the lot number on the inside of the buckle as shown. The lot number is comprised of five characters.
Disregard the "T" or "K" at the beginning or end of the lot number. The second and third characters indicate the production year and month respectively. (The last two numbers are lot order numbers.)
(Character "X" indicates October; "Y" indicates November; and "Z" indicates December production.)
a. If the buckle production date is after January 1991, check for proper buckle operation. Then complete a campaign (C) claim for seat buckle inspection only. Do not continue with this campaign procedure. Refer to the sample claim on Attachment 2.
2. a. For 1989, 1990 and 1991 Mirages, replace the seat belt buckle assembly as described in the appropriate service manual. Repair kits are not available for these buckles. Refer to sample claim on Attachment 5.
b. For bench seat center lap belt buckles on Trucks, replace the buckle assembly if the release button is broken or if the buckle does not operate properly.
For all other affected models:
3. Check the color of the seat belt buckle cover. If the cover is black, install a gray Buckle Repair Kit on both sides. (Black Buckle Repair kits are not available.)
4. On 1986 and 1987 models, note the color of the buckle ejector plate. A white ejector plate requires a different Buckle Repair Kit.
Refer to Parts Bulletin TI-GP-02-95. Verify that the appropriate Buckle Repair Kit(s) are available before proceeding with this procedure.
The following tools are required for installing the Buckle Repair Kit:
^ Large wire cutters
^ Small flat ground wire cutters (such as Snap-On E710SCG or Radio Shack 64-1833)
^ Medium screwdriver
^ Small (miniature) screwdriver
5. On Truck center seat belts, using a small flashlight, inspect the release button for damage and proper operation.
a. If the release button is broken (cracked or chipped) or the buckle does not latch and unlatch properly, replace the buckle assembly as described in the appropriate service manual. Do not continue with this repair procedure.
b. If release button is OK, go to Step 6.
6. For Truck models with a bench seat:
a. Slide the front seat forward.
b. Remove the buckle anchor bolt.
c. For driver's side buckles, disconnect the warning lamp switch.
d. Remove the buckle assembly from the vehicle. The outer cover of the buckle assembly will need to be moved down on the webbing for access to the buckle.
e. For ease of cover reinstallation, wrap a wire through the bolt hole as shown.
f. Remove the buckle from the buckle cover until the entire buckle is exposed.
7. For all models with reclining seats, recline the seat all the way back.
8. Place a clean cloth on the seat around the buckle to protect the seat from accidental damage during the repair.
9. Remove the buckle cover as follows:
a. Using a large pair of wire cutters, carefully cut both sides of the top of the upper buckle cover as shown. Remove the cut section of the bottom cover. It is important to angle the cut as shown, to allow for a gap in the buckle through which a screwdriver can be inserted.
b. Using a medium screwdriver, carefully separate the two halves of the buckle cover by prying between the edges of the top and bottom cover as shown.
CAUTION:
Do not pry in the middle of the buckle.
NOTE:
For seat belts that do not have a switch in the buckle, skip Step 10.
10. For buckles with switches, use small wire cutters to remove the switch as follows:
a. Cut and remove the plastic tab at the bottom of the switch.
b. Slide the switch down.
c. Cut and remove the two tabs at the top of the switch.
d. Remove the switch by gently lifting the upper edge with a small screwdriver.
CAUTION:
Use care to avoid damaging the wires or switch.
11. Remove the upper buckle cover.
12. For buckles with a black ejector plate, depress the seat belt release button and use a small screwdriver to remove the latch spring from the buckle side.
13. Remove the release button and spring as follows:
a. Depress and hold the release button.
b. Applying a slight upward force, tilt the lower half of the button away from the buckle and slide it out.
NOTE:
Use care to avoid removing the spring holder.
14. Check for debris inside the buckle. If necessary, remove debris from inside the buckle with low pressure compressed air. If the debris cannot be easily removed, replace the buckle assembly as described in the appropriate service manual. Do not install a Buckle Repair Kit.
15. Check for sticky material contamination (such as spilled soft drink) inside the buckle. If the inside of the buckle is contaminated, replace the buckle assembly as described in the appropriate service manual.
16. Select the correct Buckle Repair Kit as listed in Parts Bulletin TI-GP-02-95. The Buckle Repair Kit contains a new release button, new upper and lower buckle covers, and a new latch spring for two front seat buckles. (Buckles with a white ejector plate do not have a latch spring. These repair kits will not include a spring.)
17. Position the springs and spring holder as shown.
18. Slide the new release button onto the buckle frame.
a. For buckles with a white ejector plate, align the release button with the buckle and press it into place.
b. For buckles with a black ejector plate, while depressing the button, use a small screwdriver to attach the latch spring.
c. Ensure that the spring and spring holder are attached correctly. Both springs should be set securely, with the spring holder claw caught against the buckle assembly as shown.
19. Test the release button operation for proper latching and unlatching operation:
a. Insert the seat belt "tongue" into the buckle.
b. Listen for a locking (clicking) sound when the tongue latches in the buckle.
c. While firmly holding the buckle, pull on the seat belt tongue.
d. Press the release button. The tongue should be pushed out by the ejector plate. You should not have to pull it out.
e. Repeat steps a. through d. three times.
f. If the buckle does not latch or unlatch properly, replace the buckle assembly as described in the appropriate service manual.
20. Install the new upper buckle cover. The cover should fit firmly around the buckle mechanism.
21. For buckles without a switch, go to Step 22. For buckles with a switch, reinstall the switch as follows:
a. Slide the switch into the bottom cover, then gently press the top corners of the switch plate until they snap into place.
CAUTION:
Do not apply pressure to the middle of the switch. If the switch is broken from applying pressure to the middle of the switch, the entire buckle assembly must be replaced.
b. Carefully route the switch wires into the clamps as shown.
c. Slide the switch upwards (away from the wires).
d. While depressing the release button, align the hole in the switch slider with the dowel pin on the ejector in the lower cover as shown.
22. Install the new lower buckle cover. Be sure the cover snaps closed on all sides.
23. Test the buckle again for proper latching and unlatching operation:
a. Insert the seat belt "tongue" into the buckle.
b. Listen for a locking (clicking) sound when the tongue latches in the buckle.
c. While firmly holding the buckle, pull on the seat belt tongue.
d. Press the release button. The tongue should pop out without dragging. You should not have to pull it out.
e. Repeat steps a. through d. three times.
f. If the buckle does not latch or unlatch properly or the seat belt switch is broken, replace the buckle assembly as described in the appropriate service manual.
24. For Truck models with a bench seat, reinstall buckle assembly as follows:
a. Using the wire previously installed in the bolt hole, pull the buckle back into the buckle cover.
b. Remove the wire from the bolt hole.
c. Reinstall the buckle into the vehicle. Torque the anchor bolt to 35 55 Nm (25 -40 ft. lbs.)
d. Reconnect the seat belt warning lamp switch.
25. Confirm operation of the seat belt warning lamp. If necessary, repair as described in the appropriate service manual.
26. Complete a campaign warranty claim for seat belt buckle repair kit. Refer to the sample claim on Attachment 3 in this bulletin.