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Side Air Bag Module: Installation

    All Seats 

    WARNING: Inspect the mounting surfaces of the seat side air bag module and the seat back frame mounting bracket for any foreign objects, before installing the side air bag module. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.
    WARNING: Inspect the seat side air bag deployment chute and the seat side air bag cavity in the seat back pad for any foreign objects. If any foreign objects are found remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury in the event of an air bag deployment.
    WARNING: Before installing the seat side air bag module, check it for damage and foreign objects. If the air bag module is damaged, replace it. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.
    WARNING: If the air bag cover has separated or the air bag material has been exposed, install a new side air bag module. Do not attempt to repair the air bag module. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.
    WARNING: Do not disconnect the wire connector at the seat side air bag module. This is a permanent connection. Doing so may result in accidental air bag deployment, which may result in personal injury.
    NOTE: The alignment pin will only allow the side air bag module to be installed to the seat back mounting bracket one way.
    Fig 1: Locating Seat Side Air Bag Module
    G04663962Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    NOTE: If installing a new seat side air bag module, use new retaining nuts. If the same seat side air bag module is to be reused then reuse the seat side air bag module nuts.
  1. Position the seat side air bag module onto the front seat backrest frame mounting bracket.
  2. Install the 2 seat side air bag module nuts.
    • Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
  3. Route the seat side air bag module wire harness to the seat backrest frame.
    Fig 2: Locating Seat Side Air Bag Module Wire Harness
    G04663963Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    WARNING: Check the seat side air bag deployment chute and clips for damage. The deployment chute and clips must not be repaired. If there is any damage to the deployment chute or clips, a new seat back trim cover and deployment chute must be installed as a unit.
    WARNING: Before installing the side air bag module into the deployment chute, check it for damage and foreign objects. If the air bag module is damaged, replace it. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.
    WARNING: Check the side air bag deployment chute for damage. The deployment chute must not be repaired. If there is any damage to the deployment chute, the seat back trim cover and deployment chute must be installed new as a unit.
    WARNING: If the air bag deployment chute is not properly positioned, the side air bag may not deploy properly.
    WARNING: Inspect the mounting surfaces of the deployment chute and the seat back frame mounting bracket for any foreign objects, before installing the side air bag module/deployment chute assembly. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.
    WARNING: Inspect the side air bag deployment chute and the side air bag cavity in the seat back pad for any foreign objects. If any foreign objects are found remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.
    WARNING: Front seat back trim covers installed on seats equipped with side air bags cannot be repaired, they are to be replaced (cleaning is permissible).
  4. Position the deployment chute and clips through the backrest foam pad.
    Fig 3: Positioning Deployment Chute And Clips
    G04663964Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    WARNING: If the air bag deployment chute is not properly positioned and completely closed, the seat side air bag may not deploy properly.
  5. Position the air bag deployment chute.
    1. Insert the outboard side of the air bag deployment chute between the seat back pad and the side air bag module, pulling it around the outboard side of the seat back frame.
    2. Insert the inboard side of the air bag deployment chute between the seat back pad and the seat side air bag module from the inboard side of the seat back.
      Fig 4: Identifying Air Bag Deployment Chute
      G04663965Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    WARNING: If the air bag deployment chute is not properly positioned and completely closed, the seat side air bag may not deploy properly.
  6. Attach the deployment chute clips and hook and loop strips.
    • The side air bag deployment chute must encircle the side air bag module, going completely around the side air bag module and the side of the seat back frame.
    • Align the side air bag deployment chute to the side air bag module, making sure it covers the length of the side air bag module, it must not cover the top or the bottom of the side air bag module.
      Fig 5: Locating Side Air Bag Module
      G04663966Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  7. Roll the seat backrest trim cover down and reattach the lower J-clips
    • Make sure any necessary wire harnesses, connectors or ducts are through the trim cover openings.
      Fig 6: Locating Seat Backrest Trim Cover
      G04663967Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  8. Install the assist handle, screws and screw cover (if equipped).
  9. Install the armrest, bolt, washer and bolt cover.
    • Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
  10. Install the lumbar knob (if equipped).
  11. Install the seat backrest assembly.
    • If equipped, install the seat backrest assembly while feeding the climate control seat duct and wiring in through the seat cushion trim cover.
  12. Install the 4 backrest-to-seat track bolts.
    • Tighten to 58 Nm (43 lb-ft).
  13. Attach the climate control duct and connect the backrest thermal electric device electrical connector (if equipped).
    Fig 7: Locating Backrest Thermal Electric Device Electrical Connector
    G04663968Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  14. Connect the seat cushion heated seat element electrical connector (if equipped).
  15. Attach the seat cushion rear trim cover J-clip.
  16. Attach the seat side air bag module electrical connector and attach the wire harness pin-type retainers to the seat riser and cushion pan.
  17. Connect the seat side air bag module electrical connector.
  18. Connect the power seat switch electrical connector (if equipped).
  19. Install the LH side shield and 3 screws.
  20. Install the RH side shield and 3 screws.
  21. Install the recliner handle cover.
  22. Install the front seat and repower the SRS. Do not prove out the system at this time.  For additional information, refer to SEATING in this article.
    • Make sure the safety belts and buckles are accessible to the occupants after installation.

    23. Passenger seat 

    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: If the first attempt to rezero the OCS system is unsuccessful, a second attempt must be made.
    NOTE: The ignition switch must be cycled after rezeroing the OCS system.
  23. 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.
  24. Cycle the ignition switch from ON to OFF.
  25. 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.

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