Removing Driver Seat is Battery Disconnect Necessary?

[Miker]

I have a 2005 Roush. I have to pull my driver seat to take it to the upholstery shop. I read that I need to disconnect the battery or it will cause a problem with the airbag sensor. Is this correct?

 

[skwerl]

If the ignition key is off it shouldn't affect it. Lawyers want you to disconnect the battery before doing anything, even changing the light bulb in the glove box.

 

[Cum Grano Salis]

Only thing (just did this) some cars can adjust seat with no ignition. Guess idea is set this before starting or driving? Now no idea with Ford, that’s Buick. But if you have all these things nobody wants, uses or even cares about?

 

[WJBertrand]

For my 2013, there is a very specific procedure in the service manual for depowering and repowering the SRS before removing and after reinstalling the seat. It involves pulling the fuse, verifying the system is off line and then disconnecting the battery.

Is it overkill? Dunno, but figured I’d rather be safe than sorry.


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[Roy D]

I have pulled both of my seats in my 08 sgt without disconnecting battery. I was just very careful to not turn on the key until seats were re installed and hooked up. I didn’t have any problems with doing it this way.

 

[moooosestang]

2005 had airbags in the seat?

 

[Laga]

2005 had airbags in the seat?

Side air bags.

 

[brford]

Disconnecting the battery (power source) is a good practice whenever anything has to be unplugged from any vehicle that has air bags. It is a simple step to avoid accidental air bag deployment, which can be very dangerous.

 

[pass1over]

For my 2013, there is a very specific procedure in the service manual for depowering and repowering the SRS before removing and after reinstalling the seat. It involves pulling the fuse, verifying the system is off line and then disconnecting the battery.

Is it overkill? Dunno, but figured I’d rather be safe than sorry.


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Where did you find this procedure for your 13? Curious if it's in the manual. I'd like to see if it's in the same spot for my '12.

I've had both seats out of my '12 numerous times, sometimes battery disconnected, sometimes not. Never had an issue with either scenario. As long as you don't turn the key on, then the airbags aren't getting power. No way to discharge them.

 

[JEWC_Motorsports]

Ive never disconnected my battery when changing seats or removing seats. I pull the passenger seat and swap to a race seat every time i go to the track. Ive made 100's of trips to the track.

 

[WJBertrand]

Where did you find this procedure for your 13? Curious if it's in the manual. I'd like to see if it's in the same spot for my '12.

I've had both seats out of my '12 numerous times, sometimes battery disconnected, sometimes not. Never had an issue with either scenario. As long as you don't turn the key on, then the airbags aren't getting power. No way to discharge them.

It's described in the service manual, not the owner's manual.

 

[pass1over]

It's described in the service manual, not the owner's manual.

cool, thanks. Page number, section, any other information?

 

[rocknrod]

In my service manual it's 501-20B

 

[WJBertrand]

I've had both seats out of my '12 numerous times, sometimes battery disconnected, sometimes not. Never had an issue with either scenario. As long as you don't turn the key on, then the airbags aren't getting power. No way to discharge them.

I’m not sure, but the wording in the service manual kind of implies there’s some sort of secondary or reserve power source associated with the SRS? It made sense to me in the case of an accident that caused an electrical disconnection of the system.

 

[pass1over]

There might be. However, my car was hit pretty hard, square in the front end while it was parked and the air bags didn't go off. Seat weight sensors might play some part in this as well, I have no idea, but they didn't go off in that scenario.

I was just sharing my personal experience with removing my seats and battery disconnection.

 

[Windstang]

I just pulled the seats to change the skins. No side airbag in mine so I didn't disconnect the battery. No issues. I think if I had the seats with the airbag, I would have disconnected the battery - better to be safe than have it go boom!

 

[Miker]

Mine didn't have the airbags in the seats but I did still disconnect the battery. They do have sensors so I was concerned that the steering wheel airbag might go off. I also disconnected the battery when I changed out the steering wheel.
That being said I am being bombarded with notices for the airbag recall. Letters, texts, phone calls. Worse than the "you're car warranty is about to expire ones".

 

[JC SSP]

Get the air bag recall done asap. Make sure they do both of them.

 

[Miker]

I'm a little hesitant to let someone I don't know tear into my car. You make it sound as though I should though.

 

[JC SSP]

The air bags are defective. If they deploy they can explode metal shrapnel into you or your passenger. The Ford dealership is dong the recall and not some shade tree mechanic… I know Ford has some clowns working for them but you should still get the issue taken care of. Just my .02 cents.