2013 Ford Escape seatbelt warning light always on

Question

Hey there, just have a simple question:

My 2013 Ford Escape has a constant seatbelt alarm reminder on the dash (red figure with a seatbelt) even when I’m wearing mine. But the bigger problem is:

The seatbelt reminder chime goes off every MINUTE. It doesn’t matter if every seatbelt in the car is buckled up with nobody in it, or just me wearing mine in the drivers seat.

It started suddenly and is driving me insane. Does anyone know what the problem may be here? Electrical? Computer? It’s made driving maddening. Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

Supposedly the belt-minder system on the escape can be disabled, which of course is not recommended - but allowed. However, I think there's obviously a problem with the system, so this procedure might work, or it might not.

(Cut and pasted from itstillruns.com):

Step 1
Sit in the driver's seat of the Escape. Turn the engine off. Remove the key. Step on the parking brake pedal to set the parking brake. Unbuckle the seat belt.

Step 2
Insert the key into the ignition. Turn it to the "On" position but do not crank the engine. Allow enough time for the seat belt light to shut off; this takes about 60 to 90 seconds.

Step 3
Buckle then unbuckle the seat belt three times.

Look at the odometer. The warning light will come on again; then it will turn off. Immediately after it turns off, buckle and unbuckle the seat belt.

Answer 2

The switch in the seatbelt buckle is probably no good.