GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Where are the side air bags located? Doors? Seats? Also if you have not seen my other thread I am looking for graphite seat fabric to replace the first panel on the drivers seat damaged with a burn in the first middle panel of the drivers seat. Thanks for any response

The side air bags are located in the back of the seats. They should pop out the side of the seats if they are deployed in a crash. This is a preferable location to having them in the doors because they are always in the proper position to provide maximum protection by being in the seats. No matter where you adjust your seat position, the side air bags are always in the best possible place.As for the seat fabric, that one is a bit tougher. Have you tried the dealer yet? So far, I think that that might be the only place to get the correct fabric. I'd be willing to bet that you would have to get a replacement for the whole covering of the seat bottom and that it won't be cheap. I really doubt that they will sell just one panel of the seat, much less just a bit of the fabric.

Are you the poor soul who found that cig burn in your seat?I would probably just get my own fabric and find an old sewing mom, and throw her a couple bills. Get some swanky new threads. ~Jason

hell, should you be lucky enough to find a vibe in a junkyard, whack some fabric off the seat, stick it in your pocket, and presto!

There was a discussion of seat covers in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=6249, including a pic from the owners manual that show the side air bags deploy from the door side of the seat back, so whatever you do the seat bottom should not affect the side air bag.

I also need to know if one has to do anything special to remove seats regarding the side air bags so I can have my seat burn repaired. Thanks for your response.

bump

Try sending an IM to trdvibe about that. She took her seats out last year to install her leather seats. I talked to her on IM about it a little while ago and I think that she said that there's just a wiring harness to disconnect under the seat. Other than that, the front seats just unbolt from the floor. She did caution me about the plastic bolt covers, though. They can break if you pry on them wrong it seems.

There's a specific procedure you need to follow to disable the airbags. It's recommended you follow it exactly as listed. If you don't you can cause an unexpected airbag deployment, or damage the SIR system. FYI: SIR = Supplemental Inflatable RestraintHere are the steps:SIR DISABLING AND ENABLING ZONE 7 (DRIVER SEAT WITH LF SIDE IMPACT MODULE) AND ZONE 9 (PASSENGER SEAT WITH RF SIDE IMPACT MODULE)DISABLING1. Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle's wheels are pointing straight ahead.2. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.Important: With the SIR fuse removed and the ignition switch in the ON position, the AIR BAG warning indicator illuminates. This is normal operation, and does not indicate an SIR system malfuction.3. Locate and remove the AM2 fuse from the junction block, which is located near the base of the steering column.4. Disconnect the battery negative cable.5. Release and unlock the driver and passenger seat module connectors.6, Disconnect the driver and passenger seat modules.ENABLING1. Install the yellow 2-way connectors to the driver and passenger seat modules.2. Connect the connectors and lock the connectors with the connector lock levers.3. Connect the battery negative cable.4. Install the AM2 fuse into the junction block.5. Use caution while reaching in and turn the ignition switch to the ON position.6. The AIR BAG indicator will flash and then turn off.

So are you saying all this has to be done just to remove the seat to have the fabric replaced? Also I am considering using sheep skin covers but am unsure whether or not they would interfere with the side air bag deployment since I am not sure where they are in the seatThanks for your responses

If you plan on removing the seat from teh car, you must disconnect the side air bag. To disconnect an airbag, you can't simply unplug it, you must follow the procedure to avoid accidentally triggering a deployment. I would recommend disconnecting the air bag even if you wn't be taking the seat out, if they will be messing around near them.The side air bag is on the outside of the seat, by the door. A sticker says SRS SIDE AIRBAG on it. If you don't see it, you don't have side airbags.the actual deployment location, i believe, is the vertical part of the seat...not having SIR sides, i can't tell you for sure...Look at this page from the manual:

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The air bag is in the seat back.http://forums.genvibe.com/zerofile/2326/sab.jpgIf I was going to remove a front seat with side air bags, I would pop the 2 fuses and disconnect the battery. More work than not doing it, but I'd be pissed if I blew the air bag.