Seat airbag cables

[486]

I want to replace my driver seat. Found a good replacement and the only reason for not finishing the job are the cables under the seat. There are at least 3 connectors, maybe 4. Are they always the same (position, color, etc.)? The donor car is 2002 (2.0hdi) and my is 2004 (2.2). I know there are some differences. The logic is that seats must be the same but from bad experience I know that everything is possible. Is it necessary to disconnect the battery or required order which cable to (dis)connect first?

[GingerMagic]

As far as I know the seats are the same,
Different colour wires are a possibility but the connectors should be the same - I've changed many interiors over the years and there are 2 pieces of advice I can give.

1) Move the seat as far forwards as possible to get to the rear bolts - then move it as far back as possible before disconnecting the battery - remember you are messing around with airbag triggers....

Then you can lean the seat backwards after removing the front bolts, to access the wires.

2) Check the seatbelt pretensioner connector - these changed I think over the years so check the replacement seat or you'll have to remove it again to change it.

Just take your time doing it, maybe an hour all in from start to finish, remember the BSI shutdown technique too.

[486]

remember the BSI shutdown technique too.

What is it?

[GingerMagic]

To cut a long story short, once you've opened the bonnet and disconnected the battery - wait at least 5 mins before opening a car door

This is only because the cars BSI is very sensitive so if you open a car door too soon after disconnection, the BSI is still winding down so to speak and 'may' get confused...

[frog]

To cut a long story short, once you've opened the bonnet and disconnected the battery - wait at least 5 mins before opening a car door

This is only because the cars BSI is very sensitive so if you open a car door too soon after disconnection, the BSI is still winding down so to speak and 'may' get confused...

IIRC it is better to wait 5 minutes before disconnecting the battery, not after.

Once the battery is disconnected, you can safely open the car door

[GingerMagic]

Yes, you are correct - I'm clearly getting a bit mixed up.
Apologies

[frog]

No problem at all, it is good that you mentioned the fact that there is a "safe" procedure which should be followed.

[486]

This is a photo of cables under my seat. Some connectors look suspicions with black tape. I worry that there is some modification and if I install new seat with normal airbag/connectors I can get "airbag" lamp on dashboard. Is there normal explanation for black tapes?

1.jpg

[GingerMagic]

Looks normal to me....

There is a chance you will get the airbag light on after you have changed the seats, but chances are if you haven't had the light on recently then you'll be fine

Absolute worst case scenario would be to replace the connectors with bullet type, or similar, for a better connection.

As a side, if you are replacing cloth seats with leather seats, or vice versa, then the controls on the seat switch will be reversed

[486]

What can be the reason for black insulating bands? They look like intervention. I will compare the direction of cables with new seat but one bad explanation for my seat is that airbag is not working (exploded) and with cable manipulation the car thinks it is ok. Only a hypothesis.