underseat airbag conectors

[Jakg]

Originally Posted by rich17865

I think I might have muddled up the pretensioner and airbag wires when I changed the interior, has anyone got an idea on how to identify the wires without the original plugs present?

Do you mean the wires themselves, or the polarity?

iirc the polarity doesn't matter (at least if it did you've have to be pretty stupid to use the same colours for both!)

[stevestrat]

Regarding the connectors, a couple of days ago I ordered identical ones from Hong Kong, you actually get 5 connectors (my thinking was airbag & pre-tensioner on both seats and a spare!) for £1.71 with free P&P as opposed to £2.49 for one in the link shown. I'm wary of buying from Hong Kong but if all is OK I'll post a link.

[MrDoodles]

Originally Posted by hogweed

how do you disable the airbag in case my ham-fistedness fires it when I'm messing about?

You need to disconnect the battery at least half an hour before you start work!

[Robbberd]

Originally Posted by steve811

I know that this for many of us is a relatively easy job, but I know some people have real issues with anything to do with electrics and especially airbags! I have looked and could not find a how to so thought others might like to see how I did it!

Firstly the airbag circuit is fairly simple, just a loop through a small squib (very small explosive device) which fires when needed to inflate the airbag. On start-up the car performs a simple tests putting a very small curremt (milliamps) through the ciruit to test for continuity. If the circuit is open or high resistance then it will fail and the light comes on. The connectors used are prone to poor connections and this is why so many people have airbag light indications.

Firstly, a word about safety! Although the charge in an airbag is small by explosive standards and is known as a squib, it can be set off by an electrical current, which includes static. Although I don't feel it is necessary to go to the lengths needed when working with raw explosives (conductive shoes, ant-static floors etc) it is advisable to disconnect the airbag when working, and it is also advisable to earth yourself to the body of the car to dissipate any static build-up.

The first thing you need to do is move the seat all the way back and undo the two bolts holding the seat rails to the body of the car. These are star or Torq bolts so you will need the right bit. Once you have done that, move the seat all the way forward and undo the rear bolts. Once the bolts are undone the seat is free to move, and you can tilt and manouver the seat until it is pivotted forward and resting agianst the dash or the steering wheel. Look under the seat and find a yellow connector with two wires going in and out:





You might find yours is atached to the bottom of the seat. The blue wires with the yellow sheath go to the airbag. Disconnect the connector and cut off the plug and socket. I replaced mine with better quality connectors from Ebay, these are meant to be fully waterproof, but they are better than what is standard.

Firstly I trimmed back and bared the wires from the airbag itself, and then crimped on the two pins for the female connector. Before crimping on I slid on the two yellow rubber bungs which are designed to waterproof the back of the connector. One thing I did find was that after crimping the pins I could not get the red plastic locking piece to fit. I figured out that at the back of the pins are two "ears", as can be seen below:



If these are not pushed down the locking tabs on the red plastic piece do not engage and the pins are not fully locked. Once the pins are crimped then they are inserted into the female plug as shown and the rubber bungs pushed down into the back of the holes:



The other (male) plug is similar, cut the two wires and fit rubber bungs then bare the wires and crimp on the two pins for the male side. The male does not use a locking tab, but the pins will lock in securely. You should end up with this:


You can see the red locking tab on the plug on the left. Once connected you should have this:



I have not had any problems since replacing mine, and the cost is pennies! This is the type of plug I used:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kit-2-Pins...item27c9de1216

Excellent idea , going to give it a go...can i suggest , when crimping the connector , push the little yellow "bung" further up into the crimp, where it will be crimped to the wire. this makes it waterproof.

I have tried to show in one of the original pictures,please excuse my poor attempt with paint..

I have just done this mod , as had to replace the seats.

[Arctic]

Excellent idea this if your belt and braces do not work fingers crossed mine are still ok but will get some just incase for the furture Arctic

[stevestrat]

Originally Posted by stevestrat

Regarding the connectors, a couple of days ago I ordered identical ones from Hong Kong, you actually get 5 connectors (my thinking was airbag & pre-tensioner on both seats and a spare!) for £1.71 with free P&P as opposed to £2.49 for one in the link shown. I'm wary of buying from Hong Kong but if all is OK I'll post a link.

The seller is making all the right noises, dispatch advice and a request for positive feedback when item arrives. This is the listing, as I said, 5 x connectors for only £1.71 with free P&P.

[steve811]

Good point about the bungs. Perhaps the mods might like to consider move this to the How To?

[Seanalf]

Originally Posted by stevestrat

The seller is making all the right noises, dispatch advice and a request for positive feedback when item arrives. This is the listing, as I said, 5 x connectors for only £1.71 with free P&P.

I've just ordered some to, should be fun!

[Indiana_Jones]

So just to confirm when working on the airbag connections, disconnect the battery and I should be ok in not setting the thing off?

I need to do this as my light has been one since I've had the car and I have a WOF coming up

[rich17865]

Originally Posted by Indiana_Jones

So just to confirm when working on the airbag connections, disconnect the battery and I should be ok in not setting the thing off?

I need to do this as my light has been one since I've had the car and I have a WOF coming up

The advice is to disconnect the battery 30 minutes before starting work.