Front Seat: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mercury Sable and 2003 Ford Taurus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.

WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.

WARNING: The safety belt buckle pretensioner and safety belt retractor pretensioner are pyrotechnic devices. Never probe a pretensioner electrical connector. Doing so could result in pretensioner or air bag deployment and could result in personal injury.

WARNING: Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. Replace and properly position the sensor or any other damaged supplemental restraint system (SRS) components whether or not the air bag is deployed.

WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use.Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.

NOTE: If a seat equipped with a seat mounted side air bag and/or a safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) system is being serviced, the air bag system must be deactivated.

NOTE: Restraint system diagnostic tools MUST be installed under the seats in the seat side air bag (if equipped) and safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) to floor connectors.

NOTE: Diagnostics or repairs are not to be performed on a seat equipped with a seat side air bag with the seat in the vehicle. Prior to attempting to diagnose or repair a seat concern when equipped with a seat side air bag, the seat must be removed from the vehicle and the restraint system diagnostic tools must be installed in the seat side air bag electrical connectors. The restraint system diagnostic tools must be removed prior to operating the vehicle over the road.

NOTE: After diagnosing or repairing an SRS, the restraint system diagnostic tools must be removed before operating the vehicle over the road.

NOTE: After diagnosing or repairing a seat system, the restraint system diagnostic tools must be removed before operating the vehicle over the road.

NOTE: The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

NOTE: If a side air bag deployment took place, the seatback pad, trim cover and side air bag module must be replaced. The seatback frame should be replaced if necessary.

All Vehicles

WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.
The side impact sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.
To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).

Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
Deactivate the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEACTIVATION AND REACTIVATION .
Connect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
With the restraint system diagnostic tools installed at all deployable devices, prove out the SRS. For additional information, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
Remove the driver seat front trim covers.

Fig 1: Removing Driver Seat Front Trim Covers
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the front bolts.

Fig 2: Removing Front Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles With Power Seats
Connect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
All Vehicles
Move the driver seat forward.
Vehicles With Power Seats
Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
All Vehicles
Remove the driver seat rear trim covers.

Fig 3: Removing Driver Seat Rear Trim Covers
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the nuts.

Fig 4: Removing Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
From under the driver seat, disconnect the ten-pin electrical connector.

Fig 5: Disconnecting Ten-Pin Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the driver seat from the vehicle.