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Home >> Volkswagen >> 2015 >> Beetle TDI, 2D Convertible, Standard Trans >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 1014 (Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System) >> Removal And Installation >> Side Air Bag Module >> Removal And Installation
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Removal And Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Mercury Mariner and 2008 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING: Always carry or place a live air bag module with the air bag and deployment door/trim cover/tear seam pointed away from the body. Do not set a live air bag module down with the deployment door/trim cover/tear seam face down. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: Never probe the electrical connectors on air bag, safety canopy or side air curtain modules. Failure to follow this instruction may result in the accidental deployment of these modules, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death.
WARNING: If the seat side air bag cover has been damaged or separated from its mounting, or if the air bag material has been exposed, install a new seat side air bag module. Never try to repair the seat side air bag module. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side air bag deploying incorrectly, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.
WARNING: Front seat backrest trim covers installed on seats equipped with seat side air bags cannot be repaired. A new trim cover must be installed. Cleaning is permissible. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side air bag module deploying incorrectly and increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.
NOTE: If a side air bag deployment took place, a new seat back pad, trim cover, side air bag module and nuts must be installed. The seat back frame should be replaced if necessary. For additional information, refer to front seat backrest disassembly and assembly procedure in SEATING article.
NOTE: The air bag warning indicator illuminates when the correct Restraints Control Module (RCM) fuse is removed and the ignition is ON.
NOTE: The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

All seats 

  1. Remove the front seat. For additional information, refer to SEATING article.
  2. NOTE: Manual seat shown, power seat similar.
  3. Remove the inboard seat cushion side shield.
    1. Remove the rear screw.
    2. Push the side shield forward to release.
  4. Fig 1: Inboard Seat Cushion Side Shield & Screw
    GF0024035Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    NOTE: Note the position of the wiring harness, to aid installation. An incorrectly routed wiring harness could become damaged when the seat is moved.
  5. Disconnect the side air bag module electrical connector and detach it from the seat track. Then detach the 3 wiring harness routing retainers.
  6. Fig 2: Identifying Connector And Retainers
    GF0041987Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    Seats with manual lumbar adjust 

  7. Turn the manual lumbar knob clockwise until it stops, releasing all tension on the manual lumbar support cable.
  8. Pull and remove the manual lumbar knob.
  9. Fig 3: Manual Lumbar Control Knob
    GF0024038Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    All seats 

  10. Release the seat backrest trim cover J-clip.
  11. Fig 4: Identifying Seat Backrest Trim Cover J-Clip
    GF0041776Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    NOTE: Use care when separating the seat backrest trim cover from the hook-and-loop strip. The hook-and-loop strip can be torn from the seat backrest foam pad. Failure to follow this instruction may result in component damage and/or system failure.
  12. Place a hand between the seat backrest trim cover and the seat backrest foam pad and carefully separate the hook-and-loop strips.
  13. Carefully roll up the seat back trim cover in an inside out fashion to the side air bag module.
  14. Release the side air bag module deployment chute J-clip from around the side air bag module.
  15. Fig 5: Identifying Side Air Bag Module Backrest Trim Cover
    G03903897Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  16. Feed the side air bag module deployment chute and J-clips out through the side air bag module seat backrest foam opening.
  17. Fig 6: Identifying Positioning Of Deployment Chute
    GF0041777Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  18. Continue to roll the seat backrest trim cover up to access the side air bag module.
  19. Detach the 2 side air bag module wiring harness retainers from the seat backrest frame.
  20. Fig 7: Identifying Retainers
    GF0041785Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  21. Through the back of the seat backrest, position out the seat backrest foam pad. Then remove the 2 side air bag module nuts and remove the side air bag module.
  22. Fig 8: Identifying Side Air Bag Module Nuts
    GF0024042Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.