MGF Safe Seat Removal

Just given advice to ALIAS about Safe Seat Removal in her MGF to allow the carpets to be renewed, lots of you may already know this, but you have to discharge the back -up circuit of the Safety Restraint System before disconnecting the electrical connector underneath the seats, failure to do this will cause the air bags to fire off. Apart from the safety aspect, the cost of two replacement airbags is about £500 !! ~ Before commencing any work on the system, remove the ignition key and disconnect BOTH of the battery leads , earth first and wait 60 minutes for the back up system capicators to fully discharge and make the system safe (the official workshop manual states 10 mins wait time, others say 30 mins, be safe and wait 60mins!! ~ on completion reconnect the battery leads, earth last.

I knew to do this when changing the steering wheel but didnt realise this for the seats.
I fitted new seats 2 weeks ago & didnt disconnect the battery. Nothing exploded but the SRS light is now on & will need a visit to a garage to get the SRS light re set. I have also read that you have to wait 10 mins but have been recommended elsewhere to wait a minimum of 30 mins, which I did when changing the steering wheel.

was aware of this, my issue atm is that i have had to cut the wires that plugged into the seat belt pre-tensioners and while its been fine the SRS light is now on permanently mind you unplugging the bulb works a treat


could i suggest this thread be moved to the technical section if theres any mods about?

I was only quoting word for word what is in the workshop manual and also the advice of Roger Parker of the MG Owners Club, he has a first hand wealth of knoweledge about MGFs & TFs and he reccomends a 30 minute wait. The SRS light "on" is a MoT failure (unless you take the bulb out)

This is always good "safe" advice, but I have never done it and had no issues. I think the term "may" should be used instead of will.

The best advice, even when discharged, is never put yourself in a dangerous position should an SRS device deploy.

There is also no need to disconnect both battery leads unless you are removing the battery. Just disconnecting the earth lead will suffice.

No it isn't Mine has been on for the last 2 years and every garage I have spoken to about it has said that it has nothing to do with the MOT

Bryan Young;13495 wrote: I was only quoting word for word what is in the workshop manual and also the advice of Roger Parker of the MG Owners Club, he has a first hand wealth of knoweledge about MGFs & TFs and he reccomends a 30 minute wait. The SRS light "on" is a MoT failure (unless you take the bulb out)

No it isn't Mine has been on for the last 2 years and every garage I have spoken to about it has said that it is not part of the MOT

You're right, it is not an MOT failure. They are more concerned with the physical anchor points of the seatbelts etc.

when willing (and knowledgable) volunteers took my front seat out at the service day earlier this year so i could replace my carpet, I know the battery wasn't disconnected etc and .......







.....nothing happened!! All went well and I've got a lovely new carpet too!!

probably a good precaution tho - will have to remember if ever there's a next time!!

Bryan Young;13495 wrote: I was only quoting word for word what is in the workshop manual and also the advice of Roger Parker of the MG Owners Club, he has a first hand wealth of knoweledge about MGFs & TFs and he reccomends a 30 minute wait. The SRS light "on" is a MoT failure (unless you take the bulb out)

Mine went throught the MOT last week with no advisories & the SRS light lit.
I even asked him about it & he plugged it into his computer thingy to try to turn it of but could not access the SRS system for some reason so it is still lit.

I think you need a T4 or special diagnostic leads to interrogate the SRS system.