Passenger seat airbag sensor

Aviatrix · 12-19-2017, 01:44 PM

Hey everyone,

This is my very first post so apologies if I break any etiquette:

I have a 2011 Roadster that I'm totally in love with. Recently, I've had the "Passenger Airbag Off" light come on as well as the flashing airbag system dash light, indicating that my entire airbag system is disengaged. Turns out (after two trips to the dealer) that my passenger seat airbag sensor is most likely busted. Which wouldn't be a big issue if this didn't require the entire seat cushion to be replaced.

Right now, the dealer is giving me a quote of ~$5,000 to fix it, which seems utterly absurd to me, even with the heated/cooled seats. I don't really have that much money lying around.

My question is: Is there any way to fix this issue (which seems like a basic safety system that should be covered by Nissan) without having to replace the seat cushion? I couldn't find any relevant recalls.

Thanks for your time! Attached is a picture of my Z.

JLarson · 12-19-2017, 02:16 PM

Don't know about this issue in particular, but could you just replace the seat with a new one that has a new cushion?

gomer_110 · 12-19-2017, 02:43 PM

Best bet is find a used seat out of a salvage yard 370z (one with a good airbag still) and swap the seat out yourself. A quick search on Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market would say an entire used seat is in the few hundred dollar range.

RanRich · 02-05-2019, 09:28 AM

Currently have this same issue with the light not resetting - comes back on within 30 minutes of driving after following the procedure.

Stayed off for ~1 week after installing Gen3's and disconnecting the battery, but I probably f'd it up by constantly leaving items on the passenger seat.

Where can I buy this sensor and install at home? Didn't find anything on Rock Auto.

SouthArk370Z · 02-05-2019, 12:37 PM

You can replace the seat sensor with a resistor. Several DIY threads. IIRC, the seat thinks it is always empty.

2011 Nismo#91 · 02-05-2019, 01:09 PM

The resistor is bypass the airbag itself, not the sensor. You need a new sensor (replace the bottom cushion) or a $90 module to fool the system to thinking someone is in the seat all the time. And then you get a $3 seat belt alarm stopper or always keep the passenger belt fastened.

RanRich · 02-08-2019, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011 Nismo#91

The resistor is bypass the airbag itself, not the sensor. You need a new sensor (replace the bottom cushion) or a $90 module to fool the system to thinking someone is in the seat all the time. And then you get a $3 seat belt alarm stopper or always keep the passenger belt fastened.

Exactly what I was looking for. Could you point me in the direction of where to buy the module/alarm stopper? Hoping to do as soon as possible. Dash light is seriously driving me insane.

12-19-2017, 02:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
JLarson A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Media, PA Posts: 4,074 Drives: 14 Nissan 370z MR M6 Rep Power: 2684369	Don't know about this issue in particular, but could you just replace the seat with a new one that has a new cushion? __________________ 2014 370z Touring Sport Magma Red MT // BP Single Turbo 6467 // 63mm TB's // Z1 Ported Upper Mani // RJM Pedal // Zspeed Stage 3 Clutch // 526 WHP, 451 WTQ 2006 350z (Sold) // 1990 300zx (Sold) // 1985 300zx 2+2 (Sold)

12-19-2017, 02:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
gomer_110 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perrysburg, OH Posts: 17,992 Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM Rep Power: 36940	Best bet is find a used seat out of a salvage yard 370z (one with a good airbag still) and swap the seat out yourself. A quick search on Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market would say an entire used seat is in the few hundred dollar range. __________________ '11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Uprev \| CSF \| Zspeed \| Z1 Motorsports \| AST \| Swift \| SPC \| SPL \| Whiteline \| Hotchkis \| Bride \| Schroth \| Robispec \| Cusco \| Nismo \| Volk \| Forgestar \| Hoosier \| RJM '17 Titan Bone Stock

02-05-2019, 09:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
RanRich Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: St. Louis Posts: 425 Drives: 09 PG Sport M6 Rep Power: 3372	Currently have this same issue with the light not resetting - comes back on within 30 minutes of driving after following the procedure. Stayed off for ~1 week after installing Gen3's and disconnecting the battery, but I probably f'd it up by constantly leaving items on the passenger seat. Where can I buy this sensor and install at home? Didn't find anything on Rock Auto. __________________ AAM \| Dynosty \| Ecutek \| Eibach \| Hawk \| H&R \| Nismo \| Stillen \| Stoptech \| Z1

02-05-2019, 12:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324197	You can replace the seat sensor with a resistor. Several DIY threads. IIRC, the seat thinks it is always empty. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

02-05-2019, 01:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
2011 Nismo#91 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,379 Drives: slowly Rep Power: 33858	The resistor is bypass the airbag itself, not the sensor. You need a new sensor (replace the bottom cushion) or a $90 module to fool the system to thinking someone is in the seat all the time. And then you get a $3 seat belt alarm stopper or always keep the passenger belt fastened. OxZed likes this. __________________ GTR TT 493Whp/431lbft, Ecutek, Southbend 6puck,Quaife, RPM RollBar 4Point, R888R, JRZ RSPro F(10R/10C) R(10R/6C) 1000f500r inlbs+150inlbs Tender, SPL everywhere.Full Specs

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