Ford Escape: Supplemental Restraint System / Removal and Installation - Occupant Classification System (OCS) Sensor

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Removal

  WARNING: The following procedure prescribes critical repair steps required for correct restraint system operation during a crash. Follow all notes and steps carefully. Failure to follow step instructions may result in incorrect operation of the restraint system and increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

NOTICE: To prevent system failure, carry out the OCS (occupant classification system) reset when a front passenger seat cushion is disassembled, a new trim cover or heater mat is installed or an OCS (occupant classification system) service kit is installed. Use a diagnostic scan tool to carry out the OCS (occupant classification system) reset command.

NOTE: OCS (occupant classification system) components (seat cushion foam, bladder with OCSM (occupant classification system module)) are calibrated to each other and are serviced as an assembly with an OCS (occupant classification system) service kit. If a new OCS (occupant classification system) or seat cushion foam are needed, a new OCS (occupant classification system) service kit must be installed. The heater mat can be serviced separately.

NOTE: Removal steps in this procedure may contain installation details.

1.   WARNING: Before beginning any service procedure in this manual, refer to health and safety warnings in section 100-00 General Information. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

   Refer to: Pyrotechnic Device Health and Safety Precautions (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
   

1. Remove the front passenger seat.
   Refer to: Front Seat (501-10A Front Seats, Removal and Installation).
   

1. If equipped with manual recline.
   Remove the front recline handle cover.
   
   1. Lift the recline handle.
      
   2. Release the tab.
      
   3. Remove the recline handle cover.
      

1. 1. Remove the front seat side shield front screw.
      
   2. Remove the front seat side shield rear screw.
      

1. If equipped with a manual seat track.
   
   1. Firmly grasp the front seat side shield, lift up and out, separating the side shield from the recliner bracket.
      
   2. From underneath the seat, squeeze the retainers together and pull out on the front seat side shield.
      
   3. Slide the front seat side shield forward and remove the front seat side shield.
      

1. If equipped with a power seat track.
   
   1. Lift up and out, separating the front seat side shield from the recliner bracket.
      
   2. Slide the front seat side shield forward and separate the front seat side shield from the seat.
      

1. If equipped with a power seat track.
   Disconnect the seat control switch electrical connector and remove the front seat side shield.
   

1. If equipped with heated seats.
   Detach the electrical connector retainers, disconnect the front seat cushion heater mat electrical connector and position the wiring harnesses aside.
   

1. Detach the front seat backrest cover straps and position the backrest cover aside.
   

1. • If equipped with heated seat.
     Detach the front seat cushion heater mat wiring harness retainer and position aside.
     
   • Detach the front seat cushion cover rear J-clips and position the cover aside.
     

1. Disconnect the OCSM and position the wiring harness aside.
   

1. NOTICE: Using excessive force when bending the bracket tab can damage the OCSM (occupant classification system module) housing.

   NOTE: Follow the unique instructions or graphic for this step in the installation.

   Bend the bracket tab and remove the OCSM from the bracket.
   Use the General Equipment: Flat Headed Screw Driver

1. 1. Detach the front seat cushion cover J-clip.
      
   2. On both sides.
      Detach the front seat cushion cover J-clips.
      

1. NOTE: Typical seat shown.

   Lift the front seat cushion foam. If the cushion foam, and the OCS are adhered together, then the OCS is a service kit. If nothing is adhered together, then the OCS is OE (original equipment).
   

1. If equipped with OE (original equipment) OCS , remove the cushion foam and cover as an assembly.
   
   • If equipped with heated seat.
     Route out the front seat cushion heater mat wiring harness pigtail.
     

1. NOTE: OE (original equipment) OCS (occupant classification system) shown, service kit similar.

   1. Detach the OCS pin-type retainers..
      
   2. Lift the OCS off the seat track.
      

1. NOTE: Note the location of the OCS (occupant classification system) hose as it passes through the seat springs for proper installation.

   Route out the OCS hose and sensor from between the front seat cushion support wires and remove the OCS .
   

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary when installing a new OCS (occupant classification system).

   1. Route the front seat cushion heater mat wiring harness through the cushion cover
      
   2. Position the rear portion of the front seat cushion cover from the foam.
      

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary when installing a new OCS (occupant classification system).

   NOTE: Follow the unique instructions or graphic for this step in the installation.

   
   Remove the front seat cushion cover.
   
   1. Invert the cushion cover.
      
   2. Remove the hog rings.
      

Installation

1. NOTICE: Inspect the OCS (occupant classification system) bladder, seat cushion pan and support assembly for any foreign objects before installing the OCS (occupant classification system) to the seat cushion pan. Remove any foreign objects. Failure to follow these instructions may result in incorrect operation of the OCS (occupant classification system) and may cause system failure.

   NOTICE: Do not trap the pressure sensor hose incorrectly over the seat's suspension or spring. Route the hose so that it lays in a natural bend, and is not twisted due to being forced into an unnatural position. Failure to follow these instructions may result in component damage and/or system failure.

   To install, reverse the removal procedure.
   

1. If required.
   Install a new cushion heater mat.
   Refer to: Seat Heater Mat Installation (501-10A Front Seats, General Procedures).
   

1. Use the General Equipment: Hog Ring Plier

1. Bend the OCS sensor bracket tab back.
   Use the General Equipment: Flat Headed Screw Driver

1. Install the front passenger seat. Do not prove out the SRS at this time.
   Refer to: Front Seat (501-10A Front Seats, Removal and Installation).
   

1.   WARNING: Occupant Classification System (OCS) parts are calibrated as an assembly and must only be replaced in the configuration they are sold. Never separate parts of an assembly. Failure to follow this instruction may result in incorrect operation of the OCS and increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

     WARNING: Make sure the front passenger seat repair is complete, the seat and all attached components (head restraint, seat side shield, etc.) are correctly assembled, and the seat is correctly installed to the vehicle before using System Reset to rezero the seat weight. Failure to follow these instructions may result in incorrect operation of the occupant classification system (OCS) and increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

   NOTICE: To prevent system failure, take the following precautions before carrying out the OCS (occupant classification system) reset.

   • Make sure the voltage to the OCSM is greater than 8 volts and less than 18 volts.
   • Make sure the OCS is not below 6º C (42.8º F) or above 36º C (96.7º F) when initiating the OCS reset process. If the vehicle has been exposed to extreme cold or hot temperatures, the vehicle must be exposed and kept at a temperature between 6º C (42.8º F) to 36º C (96.7º F) for a minimum of 30 minutes.
   • Make sure nothing is present on the passenger seat before and during the OCS reset process.
   • Prior to carrying out the OCS reset, make sure a minimum of 8 seconds has elapsed after cycling the ignition switch on.
   Using a diagnostic scan tool, carry out the OCS reset. Cycle the ignition switch after the OCS reset.
   

1. If the first system reset attempt was successful, proceed to prove out the SRS .
   

1. If the first system reset attempt was not successful, carry out a thorough visual inspection of the OCS connector and wiring for damage, pressure sensor hose for kinks and or damage, and seat-related wiring harness and body wiring harness terminals and connectors for damage. Repair any concerns found and proceed to the next step.
   

1. Carry out a second OCS reset. Cycle the ignition switch after the OCS reset. If the second attempt is unsuccessful, install a new OCS service kit.
   

1. Prove out the SRS . Verify all airbags are installed and connected and the ignition is OFF. Wait 10 seconds then turn the ignition ON and monitor the airbag warning indicator. The airbag warning indicator illuminates continuously for approximately 6 seconds and turns off. Continue to monitor the airbag warning indicator for approximately 30 seconds, as this is the time required for the RCM to complete testing of the SRS .
   
   • If a SRS fault is present, the airbag warning indicator either fails to light, remains lit continuously or flashes. The flashing may not occur until approximately 30 seconds after the ignition has been turned from OFF to ON. If this occurs, diagnose and repair any SRS faults before proceeding with other repairs.
     
   • If, after the ignition has been turned on for 30 seconds, the airbag warning indicator remains unlit with no chime or SRS message displayed in the message center, no SRS fault is present.
     
   • If the airbag warning indicator is inoperative and a SRS fault exists, a chime sounds in a pattern of 5 sets of 5 beeps or a message displays in the message center. If this occurs, diagnose and repair the airbag warning indicator and any SRS faults before proceeding with other repairs.
     

1. Using a scan tool, clear all Continuous Memory Diagnostic Trouble Codes (CMDTCs) from all modules.