Air Bag position snesor on drivers seat

[steve911]

Hi all,

Does anyone know exactly how the seat position sensor works for the drivers side air bag on a Gen V car?

It is not a weight sensor like the passenger side is, but an electrical device mounted to the seat frame. There is a "blade" type piece of metal that is in close proximity to the sensor that moves fore and aft with the seat movement that I believe interacts with the sensor.

I have an idea for a seat lowering kit for the car that I want to try but I dont want to mess up the airbag deployment...

[mjorgensen]

Not entirely sure how it reads the travel, but yes it just knows where the seat is positioned in relationship to the airbag distance wise.

Side note, I have seen many post about the recall not being needed because their seat was with in spec... We have done 20+ of these and with the seat in the car it may be with in spec, but the "procedure" is first step remove seats. When you follow the procedure they have all been out of spec. What I'm saying is don't let the tech cheat on the test, he gets paid the same either way and short cutting this is not a good idea.

[steve911]

Mark,

Are you able to email me what the recall says to do on the position sensor?

Thanks

[mjorgensen]

Mark,

Are you able to email me what the recall says to do on the position sensor?

Thanks

Done

[ViperTony]

Side note, I have seen many post about the recall not being needed because their seat was with in spec... We have done 20+ of these and with the seat in the car it may be with in spec, but the "procedure" is first step remove seats. When you follow the procedure they have all been out of spec. What I'm saying is don't let the tech cheat on the test, he gets paid the same either way and short cutting this is not a good idea.

This. I have seen posts on the VOA Facebook page from owners that said the seats don't have to be removed. My dealer told me almost the same exact thing you wrote Mark. It appears we still have techs out there doing a half-assed job.

[mjorgensen]

This. I have seen posts on the VOA Facebook page from owners that said the seats don't have to be removed. My dealer told me almost the same exact thing you wrote Mark. It appears we still have techs out there doing a half-assed job.

Well unfortunately the reality for most dealerships is that they treat all the Techs the same and they (the Techs) are all driven by money and hours turned. We are a very fortunate place where I can choose to pay what it takes per hour to take our time and try to do everything the very best we can. Does that mean we are perfect? Nope, but we have a better chance at it than someone that has to rush because it's a "side job" they have to bust out. "Viper Tech" should mean something to the dealership and to the Tech, it is a star in your column not burden.

[ViperSmith]

Are 2015's impacted by this?

[mjorgensen]

Are 2015's impacted by this?

Do not appear to be calling for it.

[TIME]

Well unfortunately the reality for most dealerships is that they treat all the Techs the same and they (the Techs) are all driven by money and hours turned. We are a very fortunate place where I can choose to pay what it takes per hour to take our time and try to do everything the very best we can. Does that mean we are perfect? Nope, but we have a better chance at it than someone that has to rush because it's a "side job" they have to bust out. "Viper Tech" should mean something to the dealership and to the Tech, it is a star in your column not burden.

Mark,
Good to hear your attitude towards getting a job well done, and respecting a Viper Tech. I commend you, and your team, for that. I just had seat sensor rails installed by a bay area dealer. They did a OK job but left a few scratches on the door sill trims. I have asked for two replacement trim pieces that i would just install myself. Unfortunately, i have not heard anything back. What seems to be lost here, is that this in not just a Dodge. It is also a Viper TA that i paid more than 100K for. I expect that it is treated as such but it is just not happening. The SRT branding idea was good but lack of follow through was missing. I am old enough to remember when Toyota introduced Lexus, it took a while but they succeeded because they had a long term plan, and stuck to it. I love the TA but feel stuck when it comes to service. Because of this, I am now re-considering whether to get the ACR (and use my voucher). I live in Reno, Nevada, and there is no way i trust the two dealers we have here. Why - Because I have first hand terrible experience with the service department. All i ask for is that I get to make my own scratches, don't need a dealer for that. Or like you say, we are not perfect. Well then lets just fix it the best way we can, no problem with me.

[mjorgensen]

Mark,
Good to hear your attitude towards getting a job well done, and respecting a Viper Tech. I commend you, and your team, for that. I just had seat sensor rails installed by a bay area dealer. They did a OK job but left a few scratches on the door sill trims. I have asked for two replacement trim pieces that i would just install myself. Unfortunately, i have not heard anything back. What seems to be lost here, is that this in not just a Dodge. It is also a Viper TA that i paid more than 100K for. I expect that it is treated as such but it is just not happening. The SRT branding idea was good but lack of follow through was missing. I am old enough to remember when Toyota introduced Lexus, it took a while but they succeeded because they had a long term plan, and stuck to it. I love the TA but feel stuck when it comes to service. Because of this, I am now re-considering whether to get the ACR (and use my voucher). I live in Reno, Nevada, and there is no way i trust the two dealers we have here. Why - Because I have first hand terrible experience with the service department. All i ask for is that I get to make my own scratches, don't need a dealer for that. Or like you say, we are not perfect. Well then lets just fix it the best way we can, no problem with me.

It is very easy to scratch things doing this and there needs to be 2 people removing and installing the seats. You undo the seat lift it up and forward then each person grabs their end (hands over the seat track mounting tabs, tilt the top of the seat inward, adjust your hands to the inner seat tabs before you clear the plastic sill trim and then use your hand along the door panel to insure that it is not touched with the seat or track.

Install is the opposite of course and the back needs to be fully tilted forward for all of this. They need to also have a soft area to set the seat down on their backs to do the work, the seats in this car are astronomical to replace $1240 for just the seat back "shell"...

[SADVIPER]

I just had my vin checked at the dealer for the first time and turns out my 13 had that seat recall due to airbag sensor thing! They installed the door node module update and now "passenger airbag off" message starts to show! They'll order the recall parts to do it later. I'm not ok since this is related to safety and crash scenarios.
I'll ask them to fix something on the door sills so that not to scratch them!

[Dave T]

Mark, I just returned from getting my 14 SRT done. They told they did both seats? They said they did not need to take seats out? When I question that, they said they inspected and installed shims on both seats? Is it possible? Or did they check out ok while in the car and someone is trying to get one over on SRT / Dodge? And me.

[mjorgensen]

Instructions clearly state to remove the seats to measure, if they were aware that there was a shortcut then they wouldn't be paying the tech to remove the seats. The seats will generally measure ok in the car but out of spec when removed. Ask them to see a copy of the recall instructions and then ask them point blank if they did each step...


Mark, I just returned from getting my 14 SRT done. They told they did both seats? They said they did not need to take seats out? When I question that, they said they inspected and installed shims on both seats? Is it possible? Or did they check out ok while in the car and someone is trying to get one over on SRT / Dodge? And me.

[ViperTony]

....Potato