Technical Ducato 73 plate twin passenger seat swap.

[Paul461]

Hi, looking for some advice on swapping a double seat to a single passenger seat on a Ducato 73 plate. There are 2 pre tensioner cables for the seat belts and also 2 cables for the pressure pads . I’m thinking that if I fit one of the seatbelt pre tensioners to the new single seat and leave the other cable connected and fasten underneath the seat that will be ok. The seat pressure pad cables ,if not connected will bring the airbag light on. So if I measure the resistance of the seat sensor pad and fit a resistor to each of the pressure pad cables this would keep the airbag light off. Has anyone got any input / advice on this subject please?

 

[the green vanper]

Hello,

Yes, the resistor should work for the pressure pad.

Until probably 2018 there were compeletely different single seat screws at the back than for the double seat. No idea if SEVEL has changed it or not, but I'd rather think it still the same.Those screws are the same as for the driver's seat. They are hard to get... But you could try at a dealership. The part number was 1348031080.

I'd also check in MES if there isn't an option to deactivate the third passenger pad / tensionner.

 

[Paul461]

Hello,
Thankyou for your knowledge. With regards to measuring the resistance of the pressure pads, should I have someone sat on the seat? I know that sounds stupid.
Thanks in advance.

 

[the green vanper]

No idea how the press mat works. You could check both (with a person sitting on the seat and without).

But the most important information is that you need to disconnect the battery before you start playing with the cables. The airbag module is very sensitive and like to get errors from such actions. In the previous models (also until 2018) the FIAT dealership was only able to replace the module for lots of money. And even if you find someone who could repair it, it's also an expensive repair.

In my x250 there is a procedure to disconnect the battery, too. Described in the owner's manual.

 

[Paul461]

Thanks again for the info. I will read the manual regarding battery disconnecting procedure.

 

[Reg 65]

Its just switching off the ignition, closing all the doors, and waiting 30 seconds to give the computer time to shut down before disconnecting the battery
Otherwise its like pulling the plug on a home computer before shutting it down
You will usually get away with it, but if you are unlucky you won't.

PS: In earlier models a 2.2ohm resistor, or 5 watt sidelight bulb, connected in place of the seat belt pretensioner would fool the computer into thinking it was still there and keep it happy. I didn't do anything about the pressure mat - I don't think it had one.

 

[Paul461]

Thankyou for your info. I’m taking it all on board.

 

[Paul461]

Seat fits ok.Seat belt plugs refitted with one tucked under the seat. My problem is still the pressure pad warning cables. I’ve not been able to test the double seat for the resistance of the pressure pads until now. I’ve set my tester to measure Ohms . The 1st test there was no reading without anyone sat in the seat. The second test there was 16 ohms with someone sat in the seat. Any suggestions on the resistor to use please. Rather more complicated than I first thought.

 

[the green vanper]

As you dont wont the middle pretensionner to fire (and eventually the middle airbag) in case of an accident, I'd try to fool it that there's nobody there. So, no resistor needed.

But that's only my logic.

 

[Paul461]

Thanks for your input. Probably going to go with fooling the system that nobody is sat there.Not doing anymore to this until the weekend. If I don’t reply after that you’ll know I’ve blown myself up!!

 

[the green vanper]

Good luck

What about the single seat screws?

 

[Paul461]

Good luck

What about the single seat screws?

Everything fits into existing holes so no issues.

 

[Paul461]

Just to conclude . I’ve swapped the seats now and also all of the electrics from the double seat have been connected up again with the single seat. I have 1 seat belt cable attached to the single seat seat belt and 1 cable attached to the other belt which is redundant under the single seat. The 2 occupancy pads have been extracted from the double seat and both pads are connected back up again . ( only took about 20 minutes ) . Just connected the battery back up and started the engine and all lights have gone out as normal. The one thing I’m planning on doing ,once I’m confident about taking cushions apart and reinstalling them, is to put 1 occupancy pad (n/s one) back into the single seat Cushion. This should let the vehicle know there’s someone sat in the passenger seat. I will also disconnect the battery again before doing this!