Swapping front seats-tech question

[mel72349]

We have a 2K6 NB TDI and want to upgrade the front seats. I've been told any late model A4 2-door seats will fit right in with no mods required.

My question concerns the side airbag hookup. I've seen posts that suggest the wiring connectors changes sometime in the last several years.

Does anyone have first-hand knowledge on this? What year did they change? Appreciate any help or insight you can offer.

[Billsbug]

Why not make it life a lot easier and upgrade to the New Beetle option of "non-perforated leather sport seats"? A variety of colors and it's plug and play.

[mel72349]

when I asked at the parts dept, the guy's eyes glassed over and he said it wasn't possible to order the seat assemblies...

Do you know where I can get the info needed to order a pair.

This would be exactly what we want.

Appreciate whatever you can offer.

[Billsbug]

HUH?! Ask for his supervisor.

U have 2 basic options: non-heated or heated perforated seats in leatherette or leather (you have one of these options now, right?) OR heated non-perforated sport seats in leather. U can also get R32 seats, but they are very expensive and very heavy.

[mel72349]

We have a 2006 TDI in basic trim (non-heated leatherette). We wanted a manual diesel, and the choices were scarce.

Are the seats in your pic Option package upgrades?

[Billsbug]

Not for '06 forward. Go to the parts department and ask them for a price on 2003-2005 leather non-perforated sport seats. If he gives you the blank stare again, tell him they are the same seats as those in a 2002-2004 Turbo S, but in solid color. I think the color choices were black or cream. You can also get them in various two-tones. What color is your TDI?

Print the pic of my interior to show him.

[mel72349]

Our DZL BTL is Gecko Green w/ cream interior. Thanks for the clarification. Thus fortified with some facts, I hope to make headway at the parts dept.

[r0nd3L]

How about R32 seats. Mmmm, sounds delicious. I wonder if the airbag would work on 2006 though.

[Pulgamovil]

On preious NB the harness is identical new facelift (2006) i dont know..... Let me check my ETKA tomorrow maybe I can find a good diagram...

[wawalker]

There is a potential problem. I swapped my '03 seats w/ an '05. No problems in my '03 w/ the '05 seats, but the '05 wanted a weight sensor in the passenger seat because of updated airbags and whatnot--so Bingo bango Airbag light!

You might need to find '06 leather seats to swap in, maybe '05s would work--I dunno.

Leather anyway.

[Billsbug]

Oh yeah, there was a change in '04 to bigger side bags and that stupid passenger light on the dash.

So dood, did u take your leather sport seats out?

[Toad]

Originally Posted by Billsbug

Oh yeah, there was a change in '04 to bigger side bags and that stupid passenger light on the dash.

So dood, did u take your leather sport seats out?

His S seats are already in a 3rd bug and theyre stayin in mine for a loong time.

And yup, if you swap seats and dont get a passenger seat with an airbag sensor in it, you will get an airbag light. The sensor is supposedly removeable and swappable from the old seat though.

[wawalker]

Originally Posted by Billsbug

Oh yeah, there was a change in '04 to bigger side bags and that stupid passenger light on the dash.

So dood, did u take your leather sport seats out?

Yes, I am rocking '05 Black heated cloth seats and my butt is much happier now!

[Billsbug]

Originally Posted by wawalker

Yes, I am rocking '05 Black heated cloth seats and my butt is much happier now!

LOL, I didn't even know they made them! Got a pic?

[Billsbug]

Originally Posted by Toad

And yup, if you swap seats and dont get a passenger seat with an airbag sensor in it, you will get an airbag light. The sensor is supposedly removeable and swappable from the old seat though.

Ok, then I've got one for you. I swapped in an '03 Turbo S gauge cluster (cuz I don't like blue lighting), so now I have an airbag light all the time. How can I fix this? The dealer told me they need the codes from an '04 or '05 vert so they can re-program my gauge cluster, but they don't have access to them. In an accident, would my bags still deploy? I guess I could buy an '04 or '05 S cluster.

BTW, I have a thread that I'm looking for those codes and a 'present' for anyone who gets them for me.

[Toad]

Originally Posted by Billsbug

Ok, then I've got one for you. I swapped in an '03 Turbo S gauge cluster (cuz I don't like blue lighting), so now I have an airbag light all the time. How can I fix this? The dealer told me they need the codes from an '04 or '05 vert so they can re-program my gauge cluster, but they don't have access to them. In an accident, would my bags still deploy? I guess I could buy an '04 or '05 S cluster.

BTW, I have a thread that I'm looking for those codes and a 'present' for anyone who gets them for me.

I've never tried that before, but wouldnt the code easily be found if you connectred a vag-com to a stock vert? And just put that code into your car?

[Billsbug]

Well SUUUUUUUURE dood, but there's never one in for service when I'm there and they threw my old cluster away!

[Toad]

Originally Posted by Billsbug

Well SUUUUUUUURE dood, but there's never one in for service when I'm there and they threw my old cluster away!

Well, that's what hte ORG is for, you cant possibly think there isn't a single vert owner with a vag-cable that can look up the code for you?

[Billsbug]

Originally Posted by Toad

Well, that's what hte ORG is for, you cant possibly think there isn't a single vert owner with a vag-cable that can look up the code for you?

NOPE, not a one. Look here: http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/showthread.php?t=12971

We're just a bunch of grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrlz.

[Photo]

Sorry bill I can't help you with the codes, but wouldn't the dealer have them on record with VWOA by searching the VIN number? They can do that with the radio, why not the cluster?

And yes if your airbag light is on you will have no airbags in the event of an accident.