Seat Swap???
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,730
Likes: 32
From: Northern VA
Cruise-In 7-8-9-10-11-12 Veteran
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Seat Swap???
At an event at the NCM last year I was able to compare the seats in a 2012 GS convertible with those in my 2011 and I really want the new seats.
However, the guys from the Assembly Plant stated that if you swapped the seats (frames, electrics, etc.) rather than pulling the old seats out and removing/replacing the seat covers and foam it would necessitate the computer (BCM?) having to be reprogrammed.
Can anyone verify if this is really true and what the issue is? I believe that we were told it was a safety issue, perhaps to do with the weight sensors.
However, the guys from the Assembly Plant stated that if you swapped the seats (frames, electrics, etc.) rather than pulling the old seats out and removing/replacing the seat covers and foam it would necessitate the computer (BCM?) having to be reprogrammed.
Can anyone verify if this is really true and what the issue is? I believe that we were told it was a safety issue, perhaps to do with the weight sensors.
I personally would believe the assembly guys.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
If you swap seats you will have to reprogram the driver seat control module that is under the drivers seat. If you swap the module then you don't have to reprogram although you should recalibrate the air bag system to work with the new passenger presence sensor in the passenger seat. Recalibration is required anytime you replace a passenger presence sensor. Better yet you just convert your old seats and not spend as much.
The only mechanical difference is the frame in the new design seat base which is shaped differently across the front of the frame. Some people don't bother to change the frame and this can make the front of the seat skin not fit properly but everything else fits fine. Another way to do it is to change the seat back foam and skin and leave the base alone. I have the 3LZ interior in my 08Z and the new upholstery materials don't have the same colors as my seats so I have been thinking of replacing the outer foam ring and the outer seat skin and keeping the seat base and center section of the seat back the same. That would give me the new winged back and and the colors would still match.
Bill
The only mechanical difference is the frame in the new design seat base which is shaped differently across the front of the frame. Some people don't bother to change the frame and this can make the front of the seat skin not fit properly but everything else fits fine. Another way to do it is to change the seat back foam and skin and leave the base alone. I have the 3LZ interior in my 08Z and the new upholstery materials don't have the same colors as my seats so I have been thinking of replacing the outer foam ring and the outer seat skin and keeping the seat base and center section of the seat back the same. That would give me the new winged back and and the colors would still match.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Feb 18, 2013 at 05:30 PM.
