Get Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags -> Front seatbelt pretensioners Guide for Subaru Outback SUV Second Generation (2000-2004)

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

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Front seatbelt pretensioners

WARNING

D To obtain maximum protection, occupants should sit in an up-

right position with their seatbelts properly fastened. Refer to

“Seatbelts” section in this chapter.

D Do not modify, remove or strike the front seatbelt retractor as-

semblies or surrounding area. This could result in accidental ac-

tivation of the seatbelt pretensioners or could make the system

inoperative, possibly resulting in serious injury. Seatbelt preten-

sioners have no user-serviceable parts. For required servicing of

front seatbelt retractors equipped with seatbelt pretensioners,

see your nearest SUBARU dealer.

D When discarding front seatbelt retractor assemblies or scrap-

ping the entire car due to collision damage or for other reasons,

consult your SUBARU dealer.

HB0373

Seatbelt retractor

assembly

(Pretensioner)

The driver’s and front passenger’s seatbelts have a seatbelt preten-

sioner. The seatbelt pretensioners are designed to be activated in the

event of an accident involving a moderate to severe frontal collision.

The pretensioner sensor also serves as a SRS frontal airbag sensor. If

the sensor detects a certain predetermined amount of force during a

frontal collision, the front seatbelt is quickly drawn back in by the re-

tractor to take up the slack so that the belt more effectively restrains

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the front seat occupant.

When a seatbelt pretensioner is activated, an operating noise will be

heard and a small amount of smoke will be released. These occur-

rences are normal and not harmful. This smoke does not indicate a

fire in the vehicle.

Once the seatbelt pretensioner has been activated, the seatbelt re-

tractor remains locked. Consequently, the seatbelt can not be pulled

out and retracted and therefore must be replaced.

NOTE

D Seatbelt pretensioners are not designed to activate in minor

frontal impacts, in side or rear impacts or in roll-over accidents.

D The driver’s seat and passenger’s seat pretensioners and fron-

tal airbag operate simultaneously.

D Pretensioners are designed to function on a one-time-only ba-

sis. In the event that a pretensioner is activated, both the driver’s

and front passenger’s seatbelt retractor assemblies must be re-

placed and only by an authorized SUBARU dealer. When replac-

ing seatbelt retractor assemblies, use only genuine SUBARU

parts.

D If either front seatbelt does not retract or cannot be pulled out

due to a malfunction or activation of the pretensioner, contact

your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.

D If the front seatbelt retractor assembly or surrounding area

has been damaged, contact your SUBARU dealer as soon as pos-

sible.

D When you sell your vehicle, we urge you to explain to the buy-

er that it has seatbelt pretensioners by alerting him to the con-

tents of this section.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

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B System monitors

HB4010EC

A diagnostic system continually monitors the readiness of the seatbelt

pretensioner while the vehicle is being driven. The seatbelt preten-

sioners share the control module with the airbag system. Therefore, if

any malfunction occurs in a seatbelt pretensioner, the SRS airbag sys-

tem warning light will illuminate. The SRS airbag system warning light

will show normal system operation by lighting for about 6 seconds

when the ignition key is turned to the “ON” position.

The following components are monitored by the indicator:

D Front sub sensor (Right hand side)

D Front sub sensor (Left hand side)

D Airbag control module (including impact sensors)

D Seatbelt pretensioner (Driver’s side)

D Seatbelt pretensioner (Passenger’s side)

D All related wiring

In the event of a malfunction indicated by any of following, the vehicle

should be taken promptly to your nearest SUBARU dealer to have the

system checked. Unless checked and repaired, the seatbelt preten-

sioners and airbags will not function reliably:

D Flashing or flickering of the indicator light.

D No illumination of the warning light when the ignition switch is

first turned to the “ON” position.

D Continuous illumination of the warning light.

D Illumination of the warning light while driving.

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B System servicing

WARNING

D When discarding a seatbelt retractor assembly or scrapping

the entire car damaged by a collision, consult your SUBARU deal-

er.

D Tampering with or disconnecting the system’s wiring could re-

sult in accidental activation of the seatbelt pretensioner and/or

airbag or could make the system inoperative, which may result in

serious injury. The wiring harnesses of the seatbelt pretensioner

and SRS airbag systems are covered with yellow insulation and

the connectors of the system are yellow for easy identification.

Do not use electrical test equipment on any circuit related to the

seatbelt pretensioner and airbag systems. For required servicing

of the seatbelt pretensioner, see your nearest SUBARU dealer.

CAUTION

The front sub sensors are located in both front fenders and the

airbag control module including the impact sensors is located

under the center console. If you need service or repair in those

areas or near the front seatbelt retractors, we recommend that

you have an authorized SUBARU dealer perform the work.

NOTE

If the front part of the vehicle is damaged in an accident to the

extent that the seatbelt pretensioner does not operate, contact

your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags -> Front seatbelt pretensioners for Your Subaru Outback SUV Second Generation (2000-2004)

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