Fitting manual seats instead of electric

[edd_jedi]

I've managed to source a set of replacement sports seats, but they are manual rather than electric and my current seats are electric. This doesn't bother me at all, I prefer manual seats to be honest, but I just want to check if I need to do anything when fitting them.

My electric seats obviously have a loom with yellow plug that connects to the bottom of the seat. Will the manual seats have the same plug? I assume it is for the airbag as well as just the electrics.

 

[Terryvision]

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=56673

This post may help! You can change the base so you can use the motor!

 

[edd_jedi]

They're the ones I've bought!

Not fussed about swapping the bases over, I prefer manual seats.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Just make sure you disconnect the battery 15 mins before removing the loom. or you'll trip the airbag light. Best to drive the seat back and forth and remove the 4 bolts then when all set the loom.

 

[edd_jedi]

Thanks, yeah I had them out a couple of weeks ago while changing the carpet so I'm not worried about that. Just interested to know if the manual seats still have the loom attached to them.

 

[WestCDA]

Yes, the manual seats have the same yellow plastic connector for the wiring harness - it's just missing the seat side connectors used for the electric seat power and memory (on the driver's side). It also has the other necessary connections for the heated seats (if used), the seat occupancy sensor (on the passenger side), and the seat belt warning circuit. Simple swap ...

 

[edd_jedi]

Thanks a lot! Glad to hear that. Although being manual they do happen to be heated, which my car didn't have before. Will my exisiting loom likely have the correct cables to enable me to just add a new centre console unit with heating buttons?

 

[cj10jeeper]

Thanks a lot! Glad to hear that. Although being manual they do happen to be heated, which my car didn't have before. Will my exisiting loom likely have the correct cables to enable me to just add a new centre console unit with heating buttons?

Most likely not. You'll have to retrofit a loom.
Should be easy enough to raise the seat and see what's fitted into the composite plug

 

[WestCDA]

Will my exisiting loom likely have the correct cables ...

If the car is 2008, not likely. The early model years had all the wiring in the loom, regardless of options installed. My facelift 2006 had manual (heated) seats and the loom did not contain the power seat wiring, so I had to install that myself when retrofitting power seats. Others have added the console switches and wiring for heated seats, so you should be able to find a guide somewhere online. Definitely worth the time and effort, I use my seat heaters a lot and thoroughly enjoy them ...

 

[edd_jedi]

Cool, thanks guys. Maybe a project for another time then.