» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | looove 04-16-2024 01:18 PM 04-16-2024 01:18 PM 0 Replies, 1,497 Views | | | | | | 04-18-2008, 01:54 AM | #1 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: back in PA Posts: 204 | Seat belt "issue" with aftermarket seats.. I got tired of my stock drivers seat with worn out bottom padding (100K) and "invested" in a drivers side Sparco Chrono Road seat. I got the E36 base and sliders but overlooked the lower seat belt .... don't want to tear my lower belt/tensioner off my stock drivers seat. Anyone else install a Sparco/Recaro/etc and replace the lower seat belt tensioner with a different type?? (or drive around with the airbag light always on ) I have the single 3 wire connector which should go to the seatbelt buckled/unbuckled switch. The 318 doesn't have a seat occupancy pad sensor so I ASSUME I can jumper the two wires and the car will think the seatbelt is buckled like the OEM belt receptacle. (?) IF it all works out I'll be posting a write up in the Knowledge section. So much for impulse buys without the complete research. | | | 04-19-2008, 02:38 AM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: back in PA Posts: 204 | mmmm so I'll answer my own question. After alot of research, the best info. was in bimmerforums track/racing threads. Early E-36's, like my 318ti only had the seat belt sensor. An "ex" BMW mechanic indicated that with the seat belt buckled, 100 ohms was present across the buckled circuit (400 ohms unbuckled) So, installing a 100 ohm resistor between pins 1 & 3 should work. Some other posts said that the seat belt buckle reminder on the instrument cluster came on during start-up and went away regardless of if you had your seatbelt buckled or not. Thank God for simpler cars, I think I'll stick with E-30's and 36's to mess with. | | | 04-19-2008, 05:05 AM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southern California - Orange county Posts: 978 | pics? __________________ 1995 318ti Cosmos Black Bilsteins w/ H&R Sport, Depos w/ angeleyes and HID 5K, 50% short throw kit, Custom fogged intake, AC schnitzer pedels w/ deadpedels, leather stickshift knob, vitesse tuning Ebreak boot w/ shift boot, X-Brace, 325/328 brake upgrade, Gray millpoint leather and cloth interior, custom computer multimedia system, and Style 5 BBS 17" rims, M3 Mirrors, CF Hood | | | 04-22-2008, 02:03 AM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: back in PA Posts: 204 | Didn't install the seat yet because I ordered an E30 lower belt assy. to install on the mounting base. Maybe this weekend if I get a chance. | | | 04-27-2008, 02:27 AM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: back in PA Posts: 204 | Installed the Sparco Chrono Touring drivers seat. Mounting the slider rails and base wasn't the easiest job...but tolerable. E36 Base keeps seat tight against the center console hump and you cannot slide the seat as far forward as the OEM seat. I mounted the E30 lower seat belt as it didn't have a manual tensioner.....no clearance for manual tensioner. SO.....black tape over the airbag light that is on constantly. I'll need to find a used E36 manual tensioner with 3 wire connector to hookup and hide under the seat, to eliminate airbag light. Seat is ok...would rate it a 6.5 out of 10. Definitely more comfortable than my stock cloth drivers seat...not near as supportive as my M Sport seat in the Coupe. PICS: yeah...it clashes with the grey passenger seat..... | | | 04-27-2008, 03:37 AM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: asdfasdf Posts: 10,002 | looks good, would look better with a matching passenger seat | | | 04-27-2008, 01:46 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: back in PA Posts: 204 | Quote: would look better with a matching passenger seat | For sure...but not worth another $700 IMHO... I can deal with the clashing fabric. | | | 04-27-2008, 10:51 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 6,182 | damn nice looking seat! fyi you will need a airbag reset tool to turn off the light now even if you get the bypass mod done. thats why you are supposed to take off the negative battery cable whenyou remove seats that way it wont turn off and not turn off. but since your a site supporter you can rent one over in the sponsors lounge __________________ -Josh Sold-1995 318ti, Club Sport, Hellrot Sold-1996 318ti, Active Model, Boston Green Current- 1995 318ti, sport model, schwartz | | | 05-28-2008, 06:19 AM | #9 | Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CT Posts: 88 | cool, good write up... actually helps me | | | 06-04-2008, 02:13 AM | #10 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: back in PA Posts: 204 | Chrono update: now rated a 9 out of 10..really like the seat. Super comfortable and very supportive. I got a used seatbelt tensioner (72118167711) to hook up the seat belt wiring circuit. (I'm a helo pilot and the red airbag light on the dash is VERY distracting....= bad) I also got a Peake SRS reset tool to reset the light. Fault code was drivers seat belt buckle switch... Still can't justify another $700 to balance out the unoccupied passenger side. Decided to spend that $$ on some 16" Kosei's and Direzzi's | | | 06-04-2008, 02:41 PM | #11 | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 6,182 | eventually you should though i think it would set your car off well! but wheels can come first! __________________ -Josh Sold-1995 318ti, Club Sport, Hellrot Sold-1996 318ti, Active Model, Boston Green Current- 1995 318ti, sport model, schwartz | | | 02-15-2009, 09:38 AM | #12 | Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 99 | okay So i read this thread and some other threads as I am planning on doing the same seat swap (different) model though. BUt let me get this straight.. you used a buckle with manual tensioner from e30... then what did you use to get the airbag light to go out just resistor? | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |