Fitted R32 Seats to GTI Airbag light HELP!!!

[dubfordstyling]

Hi, first ever post so go easy!!

I changed my standard cloth intergalgos GTI seats for a lovely set of R32 leather at the weekend.  Trouble is, the connectors are on the seats are different.  Has anyone managed to correctly wire these so that the airbag works and no airbag warning light, seatbelt pings still and seatbelt tensioner works?  I think i'm right in thinking that i'll need VAG-COM to clear the airbag light once wired but a detailed how to would be great!??

[danishmkvgti]

what year is your car and what year is the r32 seats from? I assume it's not bucket recaro's as they don't have airbags. VW changed the connectors/seat wiring between 2006 and 2007.

[dubfordstyling]

It's an 05 and the R32 seats are from an 05.  They are the buckets - they don't have airbags then?  I know it's got the heated seat element but there are a couple of  plugs fixed to the seat that go off towards the side of the seat and to the seat belt.  I just assumed these were going to an airbag? 

[markymark]

The connectors will be for the seat belt sensors and the heated seats. You can retro fit the other type of seat connectors but as for the fault light you need to disable the seat airbag lights with VCDS

[dubfordstyling]

So you reckon all I need to do is have the airbag fault cleared?  I've heard that you need to short the wires with a resistor as the start up check sees that the seat isn't connected.

[markymark]

So you reckon all I need to do is have the airbag fault cleared?  I've heard that you need to short the wires with a resistor as the start up check sees that the seat isn't connected.

When I had GTI Recaros retro fitted to my old GTI SteveP used VCDS to tell the car it no longer had side airbags, the fault still appeared on my Highline on start up though. As far as I know there is no way around the fault showing up as the car checks all systems on start up.

[dubfordstyling]

Thanks markymark for your input.  I guess i'll have to get someone to clear the faults and see what happens...

[markymark]

Thanks markymark for your input.  I guess i'll have to get someone to clear the faults and see what happens...

No probs, hopefully someone close to you with VCDS will be able to help.

[big al]

Darren/Morttdi did mine for me, had some edition30 seats fitted from an 08 car into an 05, and the connectors were completely different.
He swapped a spare set of the connectors out and got it working no problem.

[danishmkvgti]

a resistor can eliminate the fault on startup 

[dubfordstyling]

Thanks Big Al, do you know where he is based? 

Danish - do you know what resistor and which wires to short?

[LouCyffer]

Darren (MortyGTTDi) is in Leeds

[dubfordstyling]

Damn, thats miles away from me.  Anyone know anybody who's a dab hand at VCDS and a bit of solder close to Berkshire?

[LouCyffer]

I'd suggest SteveP. He's highly mobile & reliable!

[RedRobin]

.
It's as Marky says, you can't clear the initial systems check indicating that the front seats no longer have airbags but it's not actually a problem and you'll pass MOT unless your airbag warning stays on after the start. I've heard that it's not good practice to fit a resistor and also that the MOT is getting much stricter on any wiring modifications. I don't remember why the resistor is supposed to be bad practice.