501-20A Safety Belt System 2014 Fiesta
Diagnosis and Testing Procedure revision date: 04/23/2013

Safety Belt System

Symptom Chart(s)

Preliminary Inspection

Diagnostics in this manual assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices.
REFER to: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).

Before diagnosing or repairing the safety belt system, inspect the following items:

Symptom Chart: Safety Belt System

  Symptom Chart


Condition Possible Sources Actions
The safety belt warning indicator does not operate
  • Failed indicator
  • Wiring, terminals or connectors
  • IPC
  • RCM
If the air bag warning indicator is not illuminated,
REFER to: Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes (413-01 Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes, Diagnosis and Testing).
The safety belt warning chime does not operate
  • Wiring, terminals or connectors
  • Safety belt switch
  • IPC
  • RCM
If the air bag warning indicator is illuminated,
REFER to: Airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, Diagnosis and Testing).
If the air bag warning indicator is not illuminated, REFER to: Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes (413-01 Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes, Diagnosis and Testing).
The safety belt retractor webbing does not extract or exhibits excessive pressure on the occupant during use
  • Safety belt retractor is in Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode
  • Safety belt retractor binding internally
CARRY OUT Functional Test - Safety Belt Retractor, Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) Mode or Functional Test — Safety Belt Retractor. INSTALL new components as directed.
The safety belt retractor webbing does not retract or has excessive slack during use
  • Twisted or incorrectly routed safety belt webbing
  • Safety belt retractor binding internally
CORRECT the twisted safety belt webbing.
REFER to: Safety Belt Twisted at the Safety Belt Guide (501-20A Safety Belt System, General Procedures).
REFER to: Safety Belt Tongue Rotated On Belt (501-20A Safety Belt System, General Procedures).
CARRY OUT Functional Test — Safety Belt Retractor. INSTALL new components as directed.
The Belt-Minder® feature is inoperative
  • Belt-Minder® feature is deactivated
  • Wiring, terminals or connectors
Activate the Belt-Minder® feature.
REFER to: Safety Belt Minder Deactivating/Activating (413-01 Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes, General Procedures).
If the Belt-Minder® is activated, DIAGNOSE the inoperative Belt-Minder® feature. REFER to: Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes (413-01 Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes, Diagnosis and Testing).
The safety belt tongue is rotated on the safety belt webbing Twisted or incorrectly routed safety belt webbing  
REFER to: Safety Belt Tongue Rotated On Belt (501-20A Safety Belt System, General Procedures).
The safety belt webbing is twisted at the safety belt guide Twisted or incorrectly routed safety belt webbing  
REFER to: Safety Belt Twisted at the Safety Belt Guide (501-20A Safety Belt System, General Procedures).
The safety belt webbing is dirty or soiled Dirty or soiled safety belt webbing  
REFER to: Safety Belt Cleaning (501-20A Safety Belt System, General Procedures).


Functional Test - Safety Belt Buckle and Tongue

NOTE: Make sure the safety belt buckle and tongue assembly operate freely during the latching and unlatching function. Fasten the safety belt by inserting the tongue (male portion) into the buckle (female portion).

  1. Verify the following during the latching sequence:
  1. Verify the system integrity by forcefully pulling on the safety belt webbing.
  1. Unlatch the safety belt by fully pressing the safety belt buckle release button and allowing the safety belt to release and retract.
  1. Verify the following during the unlatching process:
  1. Repeat the above steps 3 times.
  1. If the functional test reveals a concern(s), install a new safety belt buckle or safety belt retractor as required.

Functional Test - Safety Belt Retractor

NOTE: Make sure the safety belt retractor is freely operational for extraction and retraction of the safety belt webbing between full extension and in-vehicle stowed positions.

  1. Extract and retract the safety belt between the full extension and stowed positions.
  1. Verify the safety belt retractor operates without excessive effort or binding.
  1. Install a new safety belt retractor if any concern is found or the complaint has been verified.

Functional Test - Safety Belt Retractor, Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) Mode

  1. Position the seat backrest fully upright (if adjustable).
  1. Position the safety belt shoulder height adjuster (if equipped) in the full down or up position.
  1. Fasten the safety belt.
  1. Pull out the safety belt webbing until the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) feature is activated.
  1. Allow the safety belt webbing to retract until it stops.
  1. Pull on the safety belt webbing to make sure the safety belt retractor has remained in the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode. If the safety belt retractor is not locked, install a new safety belt retractor.
  1. Unfasten the safety belt and allow the safety belt webbing to retract to its stowed position.
  1. Pull out and retract the safety belt webbing to verify the safety belt retractor has converted automatically out of Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode. If the safety belt retractor remains locked in the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode, install a new safety belt retractor.

Functional Test - Safety Belt Retractor, Road Test Inspection

NOTE: Make sure there is no excessive slack in the safety belt webbing across the torso during testing.

NOTE: Do not jerk on the safety belt webbing when carrying out this test.

  1. Fasten the safety belts and proceed to a safe area.
  1. Reach a speed of 24 km/h (14.9 mph).

WARNING: Apply maximum brake force only on dry concrete or equivalent hard surface, never on wet pavement or gravel. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

  1. Grasp the shoulder harness, lean forward and apply the brakes, making a maximum braking application without a skid.
  1. The safety belts should lock up with minimum webbing extension.
  1. If there is a lockup of all safety belt retractors being tested, the safety belt retractors are functioning correctly. If any safety belt retractor fails to lock up, install a new safety belt retractor(s).