GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Driver Seat Belt Warning

Warning: To help avoid personal injury from unrepaired crash damage to a restraint system, perform the seat belt check for each seat belt system. Replace the seat belt system if there is any doubt about the condition of system components.

The driver's safety belt incorporates a safety belt reminder light in the instrument cluster to remind the driver if the safety belt is not fastened when the ignition is turned ON.

Three-Point ELR Front Seat Belt With Pretensioner

The three-point emergency locking retractor (ELR) front seat belt pretensioner is always unlocked, allowing the passenger freedom of movement, except in emergencies such as rapid deceleration, rapid acceleration, or hard cornering maneuvers.

The front seat belt pretensioner contains an ignitor charge and a gas generator to inflate the pretensioner. The pretensioner also includes wiring and a connector. The connector of the pretensioner contains a shorting bar which short-circuits the pretensioner high circuit to the pretensioner low circuit when the connector is disconnected. The shorting bar prevents current from traveling through the pretensioner during servicing. The shorting bar disengaged when the connector is connected.

The pretensioner is an electronically controlled pyrotechnical reactor which reduces seat belt slack when it is activated with air bags.

The front seat belt pretensioner must be replaced after an accident that caused its activation.

Three-Point CLR/ELR Rear Outboard Seat Belt

The rear outboard seating positions use the three-point child locking retractor (CLR) or emergency locking retractor (ELR) seat belts. The three-point CLR (ELR) seat belt is always unlocked, allowing the passenger freedom of movement, except in emergencies such as rapid deceleration, rapid acceleration, or hard cornering maneuvers.

Three-Point CLR/ELR) Rear Center Seat Belt (Notch Back Only)

The three-point rear center seat belt is the three-point child locking retractor (CLR) or emergency locking retractor (ELR) seat belts. The three-point ELR seat belt is always unlocked, allowing the passenger freedom of movement, except in emergencies such as rapid deceleration, rapid acceleration, or hard cornering maneuvers.

Two-Point Lap Rear Center Seat Belt (Hatch Back And Station Wagon)

The two-point lap rear center seat belt is a single continuous length of webbing. The webbing is routed from the anchor through a latch plate and into a single retractor.

Operational And Functional Checks

Warning: The following precautions must be observed to avoid damage to the seat belt system. If these precautions are not taken, the seat belt system may not provide proper restraint in the unlikely event of an accident and may result in personal injury.

   • Keep any sharp and potentially damaging objects away from the belts.
   • Avoid bending or damaging any portion of the buckle.
   • Do not bleach or dye the belt webbing (use only mild soap and water).
   • When installing the seat belt anchor bolts, start bolts by hand to prevent cross-threading.
   • Do not attempt any repairs on the retractor mechanisms or the covers. Replace defective assemblies with new ones.
   • Replace any belts that are cut or damaged in any way.
   • Do not install anything in the trim panel, or between the trim and the height adjuster and/or the turning loop that will obstruct the movement of the seat belt.

  1. Inspect all seat belt anchor bolts and the screws in order to verify that they are secure.
  2. Inspect the seat belt buckle. The buckle must lock and unlock easily.
  3. After inserting the latch into the buckle, tug sharply on the belt. The buckle must remain locked.
  4. Fully extend the shoulder belt portion to make sure that there is no twisting or tears in the belt.
  5. Let the shoulder belt retract fully. The belt should retract easily.

Child Seat Tether Anchor

For the four door vehicle, there are three child seat tether anchors located on the read deck lid sill plate. For the five door vehicle, there are three child seat tether anchors on the lower rear tail member in the luggage compartment, and there are four lower child anchors under the rear seat. The four circular discs on the rear seat indicate the location of the lower child anchors.