Swap seat with side airbag for a Recaro seat (Solution)

Hello,

I recently purchased the Golf described below . However, the seat is not really designed for people who are 190cm tall and have back problems . Therefore, I would like to replace the driver's seat with a Recaro seat.

Zu meinem Unglück hat das Sondermodell Family aber Seitenairbags in den Sitzen. Ein Gang zum TÜV bestätigte meine Befürchtungen: Man sagte mir, daß es nicht zulässig sei, Airbags zu entfernen.

Okay, here's my question for you: Is it not possible to replace the original seat with a side airbag with a slightly 'better' seat? Can't the airbag be deactivated using a diagnostic tool and then disconnected?

Basically, the Golf existed without side airbags before... So there must be a way to do something like that.

Best regards and thank you in advance for any advice, no matter how small.
- Private area

Hello,

It is possible to program the control unit in such a way that it does not...
The side airbags are more likely to be triggered. If you want to remove the seat, you will also need a special adapter that secures the airbags.
Could you please provide me with the engine control unit (ECU) number and the coding?
"Shall I look for it?" Then I can go and search.

Since I recently got the car, I don't have those numbers yet. To be honest, I don't even know where the airbag control unit is located (center console?).

'If I can find it through the diagnostic interface, I can do it tonight. I'm borrowing a laptop anyway to activate the cruise control (using VAG-COM). ... I suspect I can simply find the control unit number and coding number through module 15 (Airbag), right?'

Will both front airbags be deactivated as a result? (including the passenger side?). If so, what does the technical inspection authority (TÜV) say about this, or even worse, what does the insurance company say in the event of a collision from the right side?

While I don't have the side airbag retention system you described, I would remove the seat myself, but without that safety feature... (Surely these things aren't likely to explode all the time, are they?)

Thank you in advance for your response.
- Private area

Zu meinem Unglück hat das Sondermodell Family aber Seitenairbags in den Sitzen. Ein Gang zum TÜV bestätigte meine Befürchtungen: Man sagte mir, daß es nicht zulässig sei, Airbags zu entfernen.


According to my information, an airbag can be installed if the vehicle does not have an airbag as standard equipment, meaning it's an optional extra. So, if it's a Golf III, there shouldn't be any problem.
I experienced this issue while installing a sports steering wheel. In that case, the airbag steering wheel can only be replaced with a sports steering wheel if it's not part of the standard equipment, and then the TÜV (German technical inspection authority) just needs to approve the change.

@amb1980:
It's a Volkswagen Golf Mk3, which generally didn't have side airbags as standard equipment. However, my specific 'Family' trim level came with side airbags as standard.

Hello,

You can access the data through a diagnostic system.
I can only recommend that you buy the fuse (available from VAG). I'll find the part number for you.

@amb1980:
It's a Golf 3, which generally didn't have side airbags as standard equipment. However, my special edition model (Family) had side airbags as standard...

At the TÜV (German technical inspection agency), only the vehicle type matters, and it's still classified as a Golf 3.
Special editions are usually just equipment packages.
For my 'Joker' car, for example, I had dark taillights and white dashboard film applied.

VAG offers blind plugs (costing approximately 5 euros) to disable each airbag individually while ensuring the functionality of the remaining system.
It's probably just a resistor that's tricking the control unit into thinking the airbag is still connected. Since it's an original replacement part, I don't think there will be any legal issues.

I recently went to a VAG dealer and asked about a blind plug for my side airbag cable. However, they had no idea what I was talking about and told me that such a thing doesn't exist!
@Jussi
Do you have a part number or any other tips on how to obtain these types of blind plugs?

Unfortunately, the part number is useless. My VAG dealers couldn't help me either. It wasn't until I showed them a similar part that the warehouse employee found five dusty packages. He said no one had ever asked for it before. I will post the numbers on the packages here tomorrow. The name of the part is: Airbag repair kit, or something like that.

J/8-97201
Please provide the German text you would like me to translate into English. I will then give you only the translation, without any explanations.
1HO 998521. That is what it says.
Attached are documents regarding the deactivated airbag.

Best regards, Jussi.

Hello Rainer,

Wouldn't this be suitable for the problems and solutions database?

Hello,

klar, wenn die Stilllegung der Airbags rechtlich ok ist ?

Best regards, Rainer.

I'm especially interested in those mysterious plugs...

In my '97 A4, I can simply disable the passenger airbag and that's it.

'When I try to do this in my Skoda, I immediately get error messages for every disabled component: 'ignition coil XYZ', 'resistance too low'.'

Why do I now have to physically disconnect the airbags? Isn't that ridiculous?
Fundraising for the workshops?

'In the Audi, I can quickly disable it. And if that stupid child seat comes loose again after a week (because the car is only used temporarily for that purpose), I'll just re-enable it. Otherwise, I have to take apart half the car... grumble.'

CU Gremlin.

Rainer K. wrote:

klar, wenn die Stilllegung der Airbags rechtlich ok ist ?

Currently, airbags are not mandatory, but removing them will invalidate the vehicle's approval certificate (ABE), which must then be re-obtained through a technical inspection at TÜV (if a TÜV engineer is even willing to do so).

"...you mentioned 'if it's legally okay' regarding the deactivation."

I know of vehicles where the passenger airbag can be deactivated using the ignition key.

"Even in the manual for my Skoda, the possibility is mentioned (due to child seats). There's no mention of registration, only a reference to the workshop for deactivation or reactivation, and information about the different blinking modes (or text messages) of the warning light to indicate its status..."

Section 35a of the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVZO) does not address this issue at all and only prohibits the installation of child seats on passenger seats equipped with airbags.

It appears there is no legal basis to prohibit deactivating the passenger airbag, as long as it is explicitly indicated.

CU Gremlin.
(Post-processing note by Rainer K., originally from Gremlins PM).