Front seat removal, airbag concern?

Post by **Blacklab467** » 22 Jun 2020, 14:16

I found some really nice seat bases for my 2003 XC 70 that aren't split and worn out like my own. I plan on removing the seats to change the bases obviously and want to make sure I don't get the airbags or any other sensors confused when I disconnect all the wires. Is there anything I need to do before I disconnect this stuff.

I heard of someone on this forum that got the sensors really messed up after removing the console.

Thanks in advance!

Post by **oragex** » 22 Jun 2020, 14:52

Undo the battery and wait at least 10 min, I believe Vida also says to touch cables in some way, maybe someone has a picture with this

Post by **- Pete -** » 22 Jun 2020, 14:54

When I’ve done seat swaps I’ve gotten in the habit of disconnecting the battery in the back of the car. With key on, turn radio and AC fan off. Turn ignition off and wait at least 5 min before you disconnect battery. Disconnect negative first. When reconnecting, place key in position II before you reconnect battery (positive first, then negative).
There are modules in the seats. Also just make sure the year of the car the donor seats came from will work. I believe there was a change in 2005, so 2001-2004 should all fit.

Post by **Blacklab467** » 22 Jun 2020, 15:39

Ok great thanks, I looked at your pictures on how to remove the seats once they're unbolted, thanks. That should make my job easier! I'm not changing the whole seat, just the lower seat skins but I will do it with the seat removed and on the bench.

Post by **xHeart** » 22 Jun 2020, 16:37

- Pete - wrote: ↑22 Jun 2020, 14:54 When I’ve done seat swaps I’ve gotten in the habit of disconnecting the battery in the back of the car. With key on, turn radio and AC fan off. Turn ignition off and wait at least 5 min before you disconnect battery. Disconnect negative first. When reconnecting, place key in position II before you reconnect battery (positive first, then negative).
There are modules in the seats. Also just make sure the year of the car the donor seats came from will work. I believe there was a change in 2005, so 2001-2004 should all fit.

+1, and this thread may help a little:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=89361

Post by **darrylrobert** » 22 Jun 2020, 20:52

I did a manual seat to power seat swap on my xc70, i actually used the drivers side power rail on the passenger side.

the air bag connector is yellow, its pretty hard to mix up one plug, plus they only connect to each other.

You may decide to swap the entire seat instead, any reason why not?

removing the skins is harder than it looks. You may want to use zip ties to connect the skin to the cushion instead of the metal clips. I detached the base from the rails on my passenger side

: power drivers seat on passenger side

Post by **Blacklab467** » 23 Jun 2020, 06:39

So you can safely do it with the battery disconnected? Do you have to ground the airbag wire or anything?

Post by **xHeart** » 24 Jun 2020, 07:07

Blacklab467 wrote: ↑23 Jun 2020, 06:39 So you can safely do it with the battery disconnected? Do you have to ground the airbag wire or anything?

The static discharge step is to ground the "seat" before lifting it away from the rail. So, in my procedure, after the battery was disconnected, I stripped the ends of a yard long electrical wire and tied one end to the seat subframe and other end to the jacking point under the car. Then unbolted the seat.

FWIW, the yard long stripped wire now has alligator clips at each end for electrically fun tasks.

Post by **Blacklab467** » 24 Jun 2020, 08:08

Ok great, Thanks. Will do that!

Post by **Blacklab467** » 28 Jun 2020, 14:33

Just finished putting my new used seat skins (bases) on. It was a really easy job, got both sides changed in 3 hours working pretty slowly. I think I will go back to the auto wreckers and try and get the driver's side seat back off again, mine is all shredded at the side bolster beside the driver's door. I spent about an hour on it already and gave up, I couldn't get the headrest out (yes I know how to release them with the buttons).
Has anyone changed a seat back skin ? It looks nearly impossible with all those springs and stuff! I'm assuming it comes off with the seat foam attached like the bases? Any tips would be appreciated before I go and try to tackle it again. Thanks.