2002 JEEP LIBERTY Workshop Manual

WARNING: WHEN REMOVING A DEPLOYED AIR-
BAG, RUBBER GLOVES, EYE PROTECTION, AND A
LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT SHOULD BE WORN. THERE
MAY BE DEPOSITS ON THE AIRBAG UNIT AND
OTHER INTERIOR SURFACES. IN LARGE DOSES,
THESE DEPOSITS MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO THE
SKIN AND EYES.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to
discharge before further service.
(2) Remove the top cover from the instrument
panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/
INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP COVER - REMOVAL).
(3) Remove the passenger side bezel from the
upper glove box opening of the instrument panel.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/IP PAS-
SENGER SIDE BEZEL - REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the three small screws that secure the
passenger airbag door to the glove box opening upper
reinforcement (Fig. 26).
(5) Remove the three large screws that secure the
passenger airbag door to the glove box opening upper
reinforcement.
(6) Remove the one small screw that secures the
passenger airbag door to the top of the instrument
panel.
(7) Remove the four large screws that secure the
passenger airbag door to the top of the instrument
panel.
(8) Remove the passenger airbag door from the
instrument panel.INSTALLATION
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG,
PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER,
FRONT IMPACT SENSORS, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG,
OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS
OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE
BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN
WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACI-
TOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FUR-
THER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
WARNING: THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DOOR MUST
NEVER BE PAINTED. REPLACEMENT PASSENGER
AIRBAG DOORS ARE SERVICED IN THE ORIGINAL
COLORS. PAINT MAY CHANGE THE WAY IN WHICH
THE MATERIAL OF THE AIRBAG DOOR RESPONDS
TO AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. FAILURE TO OBSERVE
THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJU-
RIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
(1) Position the passenger airbag door onto the
instrument panel (Fig. 26).
(2) Install and tighten the four large screws that
secure the passenger airbag door to the top of the
instrument panel. Tighten the screws to 4 N´m (35
in. lbs.).
(3) Install and tighten the one small screw that
secures the passenger airbag door to the top of the
instrument panel. Tighten the screw to 2 N´m (20 in.
lbs.).
(4) Install and tighten the three large screws that
secure the passenger airbag door to the glove box
opening upper reinforcement. Tighten the screws to 4
N´m (35 in. lbs.).
(5) Install and tighten the three small screws that
secure the passenger airbag door to the glove box
opening upper reinforcement. Tighten the screws to 2
N´m (20 in. lbs.).
(6) Reinstall the passenger side bezel onto the
upper glove box opening of the instrument panel.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/IP PAS-
SENGER SIDE BEZEL - INSTALLATION).
(7) Reinstall the top cover onto the instrument
panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/
INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP COVER - INSTALLA-
TION).
(8) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
Fig. 26 Passenger Airbag Door Remove/Install
1 - PASSENGER AIRBAG DOOR
2 - LARGE SCREW (7)
3 - SMALL SCREW (4)
8O - 30 RESTRAINTSKJ
PASSENGER AIRBAG DOOR (Continued)

PASSENGER AIRBAG
MOUNTING BRACKET
REMOVAL
The passenger airbag mounting brackets cannot be
repaired. They must be replaced if faulty or dam-
aged, or if the passenger airbag has been deployed.
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG,
PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER,
FRONT IMPACT SENSORS, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG,
OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS
OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE
BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN
WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACI-
TOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FUR-
THER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
(1) Remove the passenger airbag from the instru-
ment panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS/PASSENGER AIRBAG - REMOVAL).
(2) Remove the two screws that secure the inboard
and/or outboard passenger airbag mounting brack-
et(s) to the instrument panel support structure (Fig.
27).
(3) Remove the inboard and/or outboard passenger
airbag mounting bracket(s) from the instrument
panel support structure.
INSTALLATION
The passenger airbag mounting brackets cannot be
repaired. They must be replaced if faulty or dam-
aged, or if the passenger airbag has been deployed.
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG,
PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER,
FRONT IMPACT SENSORS, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG,OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS
OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE
BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN
WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACI-
TOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FUR-
THER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
(1) Position the inboard and/or outboard passenger
airbag mounting bracket(s) to the instrument panel
support structure (Fig. 27).
(2) Install and tighten the two screws that secure
the inboard and/or outboard passenger airbag mount-
ing bracket(s) to the instrument panel support struc-
ture. Tighten the screws to 2 N´m (20 in. lbs.).
(3) Reinstall the passenger airbag to the instru-
ment panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS/PASSENGER AIRBAG -
INSTALLATION).
Fig. 27 Passenger Airbag Mounting Brackets
Remove/Install
1 - INBOARD BRACKET
2 - I/P SUPPORT STRUCTURE
3 - OUTBOARD BRACKET
4 - SCREW (2)
5 - SCREW (2)
KJRESTRAINTS 8O - 31

REAR CENTER SEAT BELT &
RETRACTOR
REMOVAL
WARNING: DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT
BELT SERVICE, CAREFULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT
BELTS, BUCKLES, MOUNTING HARDWARE, AND
RETRACTORS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION,
OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY BELT
THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN. STRAIGHTEN
ANY BELT THAT IS TWISTED. TIGHTEN ANY
LOOSE FASTENERS. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT
HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE BUCKLE OR
RETRACTOR. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT HAS A
BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE OR ANCHOR
PLATE. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT BELT
COMPONENT. ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED OR
FAULTY SEAT BELT COMPONENTS WITH THE COR-
RECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT PARTS
LISTED IN THE MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
(1) Remove the right center seat belt buckle unit
from the floor panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS/REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE - REMOV-
AL).
(2) Unlatch and fold the right rear seat back for-
ward and separate the cargo area carpet from the
base of the seat back panel.
(3) Reach between the base of the right rear seat
back and the forward edge of the rear cargo floor to
access and remove the screw that secures the rear
center seat belt lower anchor to the floor panel (Fig.
28).
(4) Lift the rear center seat belt lower anchor off of
the stud on the rear floor panel.
(5) Remove the two screws that secure the belt
web guide to the top of the right rear seat back
panel.
(6) Remove the right rear seat back panel from the
vehicle. (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/SEAT BACK -
REAR - REMOVAL).
(7) Remove the two screws that secure the belt
web guide to the top of the right rear seat back
panel.
(8) Remove the trim from the right rear seat back.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/SEAT BACK COVER -
REAR - REMOVAL).
(9) Route the rear seat belt lower anchor and belt
web guide through the top of the seat back panel.
(10) Disengage the seat back latch cable fitting
from the cable support on the retractor, which is a
light snap fit (Fig. 29).
Fig. 28 Rear Center Seat Belt Anchor Plate
Remove/Install
1 - SCREW (2)
2 - BUCKLE UNIT
3 - REAR SEAT BACK
4 - REAR FLOOR PANEL
5 - STUD (1)
6 - ANCHOR PLATE
Fig. 29 Seat Back Latch Cable Disengage/Engage
1 - LEVER
2 - PLUNGER
3 - LATCH CABLE FITTING
4 - REAR CENTER RETRACTOR
5 - SUPPORT
8O - 32 RESTRAINTSKJ

(11) Remove the screw that secures the retractor
to the rear seat back panel (Fig. 30).
(12) Remove the rear center seat belt and retractor
unit from the seat back panel.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT
BELT SERVICE, CAREFULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT
BELTS, BUCKLES, MOUNTING HARDWARE, AND
RETRACTORS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION,
OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY BELT
THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN. STRAIGHTEN
ANY BELT THAT IS TWISTED. TIGHTEN ANY
LOOSE FASTENERS. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT
HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE BUCKLE OR
RETRACTOR. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT HAS A
BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE OR ANCHOR
PLATE. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT BELT
COMPONENT. ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED OR
FAULTY SEAT BELT COMPONENTS WITH THE COR-
RECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT PARTS
LISTED IN THE MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
(1) Position the rear center seat belt and retractor
unit onto the seat back panel.
(2) Install and tighten the screw that secures the
retractor to the rear seat back panel (Fig. 30).
Tighten the screw to 27 N´m (20 ft. lbs.).
(3) Position the seat back latch cable plunger
against the retractor latch lever, then engage the
cable fitting into the cable support on the retractor,
which is a light snap fit (Fig. 29).
(4) Route the rear seat belt lower anchor and belt
web guide through the top of the seat back panel.(5) Reinstall the trim onto the right rear seat
back. (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/SEAT BACK
COVER - REAR - INSTALLATION).
(6) Install and tighten the two screws that secure
the belt web guide to the top of the right rear seat
back panel. Tighten the screws to 2 N´m (20 in. lbs.).
(7) Reinstall the right rear seat back panel into
the vehicle. (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/SEAT BACK
- REAR - INSTALLATION).
(8) Position the rear center seat belt lower anchor
off of the stud on the rear floor panel (Fig. 28).
(9) Reach between the base of the right rear seat
back and the forward edge of the rear cargo floor to
install and tighten the screw that secures the rear
center seat belt lower anchor to the floor panel.
Tighten the screw to 43 N´m (32 ft. lbs.).
(10) Restore the cargo area carpet to the base of
the seat back panel and unfold the right rear seat
back to its upright position.
(11) Reinstall the right center seat belt buckle unit
onto the floor panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS/SEAT BELT BUCKLE - INSTALLA-
TION).
REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT
& RETRACTOR
REMOVAL
WARNING: DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT
BELT SERVICE, CAREFULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT
BELTS, BUCKLES, MOUNTING HARDWARE, AND
RETRACTORS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION,
OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY BELT
THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN. STRAIGHTEN
ANY BELT THAT IS TWISTED. TIGHTEN ANY
LOOSE FASTENERS. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT
HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE BUCKLE OR
RETRACTOR. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT HAS A
BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE OR ANCHOR
PLATE. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT BELT
COMPONENT. ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED OR
FAULTY SEAT BELT COMPONENTS WITH THE COR-
RECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT PARTS
LISTED IN THE MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
(1) Unsnap and lift the trim cover to access the
screw that secures the rear outboard seat belt turn-
ing loop to the upper C-pillar (Fig. 31).
(2) Remove the screw that secures the seat belt
turning loop to the upper C-pillar.
(3) Remove the screw that secures the lower seat
belt anchor to the bracket on the outboard side of the
rear seat cushion frame.
Fig. 30 Rear Center Retractor Remove/Install
1 - REAR SEAT BACK PANEL
2 - SCREW (1)
KJRESTRAINTS 8O - 33
REAR CENTER SEAT BELT & RETRACTOR (Continued)

(4) Remove the quarter trim panel from the C-pil-
lar. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INTERIOR/QUARTER
TRIM PANEL - REMOVAL).
(5) Route the seat belt lower anchor and turning
loop through the access hole in the quarter trim
panel.
(6) Remove the screw that secures the retractor
bracket to the lower C-pillar.
(7) Lift the retractor upward far enough to disen-
gage the retractor tab from the engagement hole in
the lower C-pillar.
(8) Remove the rear outboard seat belt and retrac-
tor from the C-pillar as a unit.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT
BELT SERVICE, CAREFULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT
BELTS, BUCKLES, MOUNTING HARDWARE, AND
RETRACTORS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION,
OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY BELT
THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN. STRAIGHTEN
ANY BELT THAT IS TWISTED. TIGHTEN ANY
LOOSE FASTENERS. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT
HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE BUCKLE OR
RETRACTOR. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT HAS A
BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE OR ANCHOR
PLATE. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT BELT
COMPONENT. ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED ORFAULTY SEAT BELT COMPONENTS WITH THE COR-
RECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT PARTS
LISTED IN THE MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
(1) Position the rear outboard seat belt and retrac-
tor to the C-pillar as a unit (Fig. 31).
(2) Engage the retractor tab into the engagement
hole in the lower C-pillar.
(3) Install and tighten the screw that secures the
retractor bracket to the lower C-pillar. Tighten the
screw to 43 N´m (32 ft. lbs.).
(4) Route the seat belt lower anchor and turning
loop through the access hole in the quarter trim
panel.
(5) Reinstall the quarter trim panel onto the C-pil-
lar. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INTERIOR/QUARTER
TRIM PANEL - INSTALLATION).
(6) Position the lower seat belt anchor to the
bracket on the outboard side of the rear seat cushion
frame. Be certain that the anti-rotation tab on the
anchor is engaged in the slot in the seat bracket.
(7) Install and tighten the screw that secures the
lower seat belt anchor to the bracket on the outboard
side of the rear seat cushion frame. Tighten the
screw to 43 N´m (32 ft. lbs.).
(8) Position the seat belt turning loop to the upper
C-pillar.
(9) Install and tighten the screw that secures the
seat belt turning loop to the upper C-pillar. Tighten
the screw to 43 N´m (32 ft. lbs.).
(10) Fold and snap the trim cover back into place
to conceal the screw that secures the rear outboard
seat belt turning loop to the upper C-pillar.
REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE
REMOVAL
WARNING: DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT
BELT SERVICE, CAREFULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT
BELTS, BUCKLES, MOUNTING HARDWARE, AND
RETRACTORS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION,
OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY BELT
THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN. STRAIGHTEN
ANY BELT THAT IS TWISTED. TIGHTEN ANY
LOOSE FASTENERS. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT
HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE BUCKLE OR
RETRACTOR. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT HAS A
BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE OR ANCHOR
PLATE. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT BELT
COMPONENT. ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED OR
FAULTY SEAT BELT COMPONENTS WITH THE COR-
RECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT PARTS
LISTED IN THE MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
Fig. 31 Rear Outboard Seat Belt & Retractor
Remove/Install
1 - C-PILLAR
2 - QUARTER TRIM PANEL
3 - COVER
4 - SEAT BELT & RETRACTOR
5 - SCREW (1)
6 - LOWER ANCHOR
7 - SCREW (1)
8 - ACCESS COVER
9 - SCREW (1)
8O - 34 RESTRAINTSKJ
REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT & RETRACTOR (Continued)

(1) Unlatch the rear seat back and fold it forward
far enough to access the screw that secures the rear
seat belt buckle anchor to the rear floor panel
between the rear seat back and the rear seat cush-
ion.
(2) Remove the screw that secures the rear seat
belt buckle anchor to the rear floor panel (Fig. 32).
(3) Lift the rear seat belt buckle anchor off of the
stud on the rear floor panel.
(4) Remove the rear seat belt buckle and anchor
from between the rear seat back and the rear seat
cushion as a unit.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT
BELT SERVICE, CAREFULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT
BELTS, BUCKLES, MOUNTING HARDWARE, AND
RETRACTORS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION,
OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY BELT
THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN. STRAIGHTEN
ANY BELT THAT IS TWISTED. TIGHTEN ANY
LOOSE FASTENERS. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT
HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE BUCKLE OR
RETRACTOR. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT HAS A
BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE OR ANCHOR
PLATE. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT BELT
COMPONENT. ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED OR
FAULTY SEAT BELT COMPONENTS WITH THE COR-
RECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT PARTS
LISTED IN THE MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.(1) Unlatch the rear seat back and fold it forward
far enough to access the mounting location for the
rear seat belt buckle anchor to the rear floor panel
between the rear seat back and the rear seat cush-
ion.
(2) Position the rear seat belt buckle and anchor
between the rear seat back and the rear seat cushion
as a unit (Fig. 32).
(3) Lower the rear seat belt buckle anchor over the
stud on the rear floor panel.
(4) Install and tighten the screw that secures the
rear seat belt buckle anchor to the rear floor panel.
Tighten the screw to 43 N´m (32 ft. lbs.).
SEAT BELT SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The seat belt switch for this model is actually a
Hall Effect-type sensor. This sensor consists of a
fixed-position, Hall Effect Integrated Circuit (IC) chip
and a small, movable, permanent magnet that are
integral to each front seat belt buckle. The front seat
belt buckles are each located on a stamped steel
stanchion secured with a screw to the inboard side of
each front seat cushion frame between the seat and
the floor panel transmission tunnel (Fig. 33). The
seat belt switches are connected to the vehicle elec-
trical system through a two-lead pigtail wire and
connector on the seat belt buckle-half, which is con-
nected to a wire harness connector and take out of
the seat wire harness beneath the rear edge of the
seat cushion frame. A diagnostic resistor is connected
Fig. 32 Rear Seat Belt Buckle Remove/Install
1 - SCREW (1)
2 - BUCKLE (SINGLE)
3 - REAR SEAT
4 - BUCKLE (DOUBLE)
5 - SCREW (1)
6- REAR FLOOR PANEL
Fig. 33 Front Seat Belt Buckle
1 - FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE
2 - INBOARD SIDE SHIELD
3 - SCREW
4 - PIGTAIL WIRE
KJRESTRAINTS 8O - 35
REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE (Continued)

in parallel with the IC where the two pigtail wire
leads connect to the IC pins.
The seat belt switch cannot be adjusted or repaired
and, if faulty or damaged, the entire seat belt buckle-
half unit must be replaced.
OPERATION
The seat belt switches are designed to provide a
status signal to the seat belt switch sense inputs of
the Airbag Control Module (ACM) indicating whether
the front seat belts are fastened. The ACM uses the
seat belt switch inputs as a factor in determining
what level of force with which it should deploy the
multistage driver and passenger airbags. In addition,
the ACM sends electronic messages to the ElectroMe-
chanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) to control the
seat belt indicator based upon the status of the
driver side front seat belt switch. A spring-loaded
plastic slide with a small, enclosed permanent mag-
net is integral to the buckle latch mechanism. When
a seat belt tip-half is inserted and latched into the
seat belt buckle, the slide is pushed downward and
into close proximity of the Hall Effect Integrated Cir-
cuit (IC) chip within the buckle, which induces a cur-
rent within the chip. The chip provides this induced
current as an output to the ACM, which monitors the
current to determine the status of the front seat
belts. When the seat belt is unbuckled, the spring-
loaded slide and permanent magnet move upward
and away from the IC, causing the output current
from the seat belt switch to be reduced.
The seat belt switch receives a supply current from
the ACM, and the ACM senses the status of the front
seat belts through its pigtail wire connection to the
seat wire harness. The ACM also monitors the condi-
tion of the seat belt switch circuits through circuit
resistance created by the diagnostic resistor. The
ACM will illuminate the airbag indicator in the
EMIC and store a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for
any fault that is detected in either seat belt switch
circuit. For proper diagnosis of the seat belt switches,
a DRBIIItscan tool is required. Refer to the appro-
priate diagnostic information.
SEAT BELT TENSIONER
DESCRIPTION
A driver side seat belt tensioner supplements the
driver airbag system for all versions of this model
(Fig. 34). The seat belt tensioner is integral to the
driver side front seat belt and retractor unit, which is
secured to the B-pillar on the left side of the vehicle.
The retractor is concealed beneath the molded plastic
B-pillar trim. The seat belt tensioner consists prima-
rily of a molded plastic tensioner housing, a tubularmetal piston housing, a piston, a short rack gear, a
set of pinion gears, a pyrotechnically activated gas
generator, and a short pigtail wire. All of these com-
ponents are located on one side of the retractor spool
on the outside of the retractor housing. The seat belt
tensioner is controlled by the Airbag Control Module
(ACM) and is connected to the vehicle electrical sys-
tem through a dedicated take out of the body wire
harness by a keyed and latching molded plastic con-
nector insulator to ensure a secure connection.
The seat belt tensioner cannot be repaired and, if
faulty or damaged, the entire driver side front seat
belt and retractor unit must be replaced. The seat
belt tensioner is not intended for reuse and must be
replaced following a deployment. A locked retractor
that will not allow the seat belt webbing to be
retracted or extracted is a sure indication that the
seat belt tensioner has been deployed and requires
replacement. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS/FRONT SEAT BELT & RETRACTOR -
REMOVAL).
OPERATION
The seat belt tensioner is deployed by a signal gen-
erated by the Airbag Control Module (ACM) through
the driver seat belt tensioner line 1 and line 2 (or
squib) circuits. When the ACM sends the proper elec-
trical signal to the tensioner, the electrical energy
generates enough heat to initiate a small pyrotechnic
gas generator. The gas generator is installed in one
end of the tubular metal piston housing, which con-
tains a piston and a small rack gear. As the gas
expands, it pushes the piston and the rack gear
Fig. 34 Seat Belt Tensioner
1 - RETRACTOR
2 - TENSIONER HOUSING
3 - PISTON HOUSING
4 - PIGTAIL WIRE
5 - GAS GENERATOR
8O - 36 RESTRAINTSKJ
SEAT BELT SWITCH (Continued)

through the tube. The rack gear engages a pinion
gear that drives a gear set in the tensioner housing,
which drives the seat belt retractor spool causing the
slack to be removed from the driver side front seat
belt. Removing excess slack from the driver side front
seat belt not only keeps the occupant properly posi-
tioned for an airbag deployment following a frontal
impact of the vehicle, but also helps to reduce inju-
ries that the occupant of the driver side front seat
might experience in these situations as a result of a
harmful contact with the steering wheel and/or steer-
ing column. Also, the seat belt tensioner has a tor-
sion bar mechanism that is designed to deform in
order to control the loading being applied to the occu-
pant of the driver side front seat by the seat belt dur-
ing a frontal impact, further reducing the potential
for occupant injuries.
The ACM monitors the condition of the seat belt
tensioner through circuit resistance, and will illumi-
nate the airbag indicator in the ElectroMechanical
Instrument Cluster (EMIC) and store a Diagnostic
Trouble Code (DTC) for any fault that is detected.
For proper diagnosis of the seat belt tensioner, a
DRBIIItscan tool is required. Refer to the appropri-
ate diagnostic information.
SEAT BELT TURNING LOOP
ADJUSTER
REMOVAL
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG,
PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER,
FRONT IMPACT SENSORS, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG,
OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS
OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE
BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN
WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACI-
TOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FUR-
THER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
WARNING: DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT
BELT SERVICE, CAREFULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT
BELTS, BUCKLES, MOUNTING HARDWARE, AND
RETRACTORS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION,
OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY BELTTHAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN. STRAIGHTEN
ANY BELT THAT IS TWISTED. TIGHTEN ANY
LOOSE FASTENERS. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT
HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE BUCKLE OR
RETRACTOR. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT HAS A
BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE OR ANCHOR
PLATE. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT BELT
COMPONENT. ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED OR
FAULTY SEAT BELT COMPONENTS WITH THE COR-
RECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT PARTS
LISTED IN THE MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to
discharge before further service.
(2) Unsnap and lift the trim cover to access the
nut that secures the front seat belt turning loop to
the height adjuster on the upper B-pillar.
(3) Remove the nut that secures the seat belt turn-
ing loop to the height adjuster stud on the upper
B-pillar.
(4) Remove the seat belt turning loop from the
height adjuster stud.
(5) Remove the upper trim from the inside of the
B-pillar. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INTERIOR/B-PILLAR
UPPER TRIM - REMOVAL).
(6) Remove the screw that secures the seat belt
turning loop adjuster to the upper B-pillar (Fig. 35).
(7) Pull the upper end of the turning loop adjuster
away from the B-pillar far enough to disengage the
hooks on the lower end of the adjuster from the slots
in the B-pillar.
(8) Remove the seat belt turning loop adjuster
from the B-pillar.
Fig. 35 Seat Belt Turning Loop Adjuster Remove/
Install
1 - SCREW
2 - B-PILLAR
3 - ADJUSTER
KJRESTRAINTS 8O - 37
SEAT BELT TENSIONER (Continued)