Removal and Installation

WARNING: The safety belt pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device. Never probe a pretensioner electrical connector. Doing so could result in pretensioner or air bag deployment and could result in personal injury.

WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of personal injury, do not use any memory saver devices.

NOTE: If a seat equipped with a supplemental restraint system (SRS) component is being serviced, the SRS must be depowered.

NOTE: The air bag warning lamp illuminates when the RCM fuse is removed and the ignition switch is ON. This is normal operation and does not indicate a supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault.

NOTE: The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

NOTE: Driver seat shown in illustration, passenger similar.

All seats

Remove the affected seat and depower the SRS. For additional information, refer to SEAT - FRONT .
Remove the power seat knob.
Release the recliner handle cover tab and remove the handle.

Fig 1: Locating Recliner Handle Cover Tab
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the LH side shield screw from behind the recliner handle.
Remove the front and rear LH side shield screws, disconnect the seat control switch and remove the LH side shield.
Remove the 3 screws and the power seat switch.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Install the affected seat and repower the SRS. Do not prove out the SRS at this time. For additional information, refer to SEAT - FRONT .

Passenger seats

CAUTION: There are 3 occupant classification sensor (OCS) system service kits available for this vehicle (base seat, heated seat and climate controlled seat). Always make sure the correct OCS service kit is installed.

CAUTION: It is necessary to rezero the OCS system when a front passenger seat cushion is disassembled, a new trim cover installed, a seat side shield removed or an OCS service kit is installed. A diagnostic tool is used to trigger the active command to carry out rezeroing of the OCS system.

CAUTION: Make sure the seat is completely assembled before rezeroing.
CAUTION:
The following precautions must be taken before rezeroing the OCS system:
- Make sure the OCS system components are connected and no faults are present.
- Make sure the OCS system is not at a temperature below 0°C (32°F) or above 45°C (113°F) when initiating the rezeroing process. If the vehicle has been exposed to extreme cold or hot temperatures, the vehicle must be exposed and kept at a temperature within the limits, 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F) for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Make sure nothing is present on the passenger seat before rezeroing and nothing is placed on the seat during the rezeroing process.
- Make sure a minimum 8 second time period has passed after cycling the ignition switch ON before the rezeroing process.
NOTE: For best results in rezeroing, the OCS system should be at or near room temperature, 10°C to 29°C (50°F to 85°F).

NOTE: The heated seat element on the front passenger seat cushion is not serviceable separately. If a new heated seat element is needed on the front passenger seat cushion a new occupant classification sensor (OCS) service kit, equipped with a heated seat element, must be installed.

NOTE: When using an NGS+ (NGS with Vehicle Communication Module (VCM) and the latest software update) to rezero the OCS system:
- select "FUNCTION TEST"
- select "SYSTEM RESET"
- view the on-screen information, then press "TRIGGER"
  The NGS+ screen will then display "OCS RESET: REZERO." Press "DONE" (button 8) to rezero the OCS system. The NGS+ will display "TEST/FUNCTION SUCCESSFUL" once rezeroing of the OCS system is complete.
  
  NOTE: To rezero the OCS system using the Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS):
  - select the "Toolbox" icon
  - select "Body" from the menu
  - select "Restraints" from the menu
  - select "Seat Weight Sensor ReZero"
  After selecting "Seat Weight Sensor ReZero", follow the on-screen prompts to carry out rezeroing of the OCS system.
  
  NOTE: If the first attempt to rezero the OCS system is unsuccessful, a second attempt must be made.
  
  Rezero the occupant classification sensor.
  - With the front passenger seat empty, use a diagnostic tool to trigger the active command and rezero the occupant classification sensor.

NOTE: The ignition switch must be cycled after rezeroing the OCS system.

Cycle the ignition switch from ON to OFF.

All seats

Prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS) as follows:
Turn the ignition key from ON to OFF. Wait 10 seconds, then turn the key back to ON and visually monitor the air bag indicator with the air bag modules installed. The air bag indicator will light continuously for approximately 6 seconds and then turn off. If an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault is present, the air bag indicator will:
- fail to light.
- remain lit continuously.
- flash.
The flashing might not occur until approximately 30 seconds after the ignition switch has been turned from the OFF to the ON position. This is the time required for the restraints control module (RCM) to complete the testing of the SRS. If the air bag indicator is inoperative and a SRS fault exists, a chime will sound in a pattern of 5 sets of 5 beeps. If this occurs, the air bag indicator and any SRS fault discovered must be diagnosed and repaired.

Clear all continuous DTCs from the restraints control module using a diagnostic tool.