Ford Mondeo MK3 ST Recaro Seats, conversion to office chairs

[GSE]

I have a pair of Recaro seats that I recently removed from my Mondeo ST before it was scrapped. These seats have full electric adjustment and are heated. I found them to be extremely comfortable over the 150,000 miles that I did in the Mondeo, probably the best seats I've ever had, and I really did not want to see them go when the Mondeo went. So I saved them, and in true recycling spirit, I'm thinking of 're purposing' them to become office chairs for the man cave. A couple of questions:

Any body know the functionality of each of the connector blocks underneath the seat, or have a wiring diagram? The switches to move the seat back and forward, up and down, and to move the backrest back and forward, are located on the side of the seat, so presumably I'll only need the +12v in and the ground connection to get the seats moving again.

Then I will need a second +12v in to activate the seat heaters, as the switch for these was on the dashboard, and is not on the seat itself.

Probably most importantly, how do I ensure that the airbags cannot be accidentally activated?

Edited by GSE on Saturday 15th December 16:40

[bobtail4x4]

dont touch the yellow wire,
thats the airbag, as to the rest try feeding 12v in to them,

[Jonesy23]

You can usually find the wiring diagrams floating about. Or the 2004 TIS DVD (search for the ISO) might cover that version and was the last easy to find bundle with wiring diagrams on it. Or pay for access to ETIS for a day.

[anonymous-user]

I’m pretty sure this thread is in the wrong forum

[soad]

garyhun said:

I’m pretty sure this thread is in the wrong forum

Nah.

[GSE]

Actually I did post this in the car electronics forum but the mods moved it here ...

Anyway I have the seats moving, just applied power to the socket with the biggest pins and hey presto all working!
Just need to work out the heaters next

[Jonesy23]

You could try the file at http://60.18.143.13:8009/福特系&...

I just went looking for Mondeo_2005_WD.pdf as that's what I have a copy of for that model year.




Edit: Link won't work but just search via Google for the file name.

Edited by Jonesy23 on Saturday 15th December 22:49

[jimmyjimjim]

Can't you take the covers off, get access to the airbags that way, and remove them?

[anonymous-user]

What are you using for bases for them?
I've thought about doing this a few times, maybe with a seat from an Alfa, but they are so bloody heavy I don't know what I'd mount them on to keep them stable (while still being able to move them easily).

[soad]

bobtail4x4 said:

dont touch the yellow wire,
thats the airbag, as to the rest try feeding 12v in to them,

Will it go bang?

[Jonesy23]

soad said:

bobtail4x4 said:

dont touch the yellow wire,
thats the airbag, as to the rest try feeding 12v in to them,

Will it go bang?

The pretensioner will if you hit that while avoiding the airbag...

[GSE]

I identified the pre-tensioner and airbag connectors, I'll be carefully bridging the wires together whilst taking all esd precautions, to disable them, then I'll tie the connectors up out of the way.

Verification of concept complete by means of lashing up the seat to the old swivel base using about 50 cable ties



I will need to make up some metal work to attach the base in a more permanent fashion, but in the mean time, it fits surprisingly well, and I'm well pleased. The height and centre of balance are fine,and I have all the adjustment working as it was in the car. Seat heaters next.

A mate of mine converted a couple of Sierra RS Cosworth seats about 30 years ago, and they are still in perfect working order. I'm fed up with crappy office chairs from the usual outlets that have poorly welded frames, that are made from chipboard and wood screws, and never seem to last more than I few years, so I thought I'd have a go. These are very comfortable and as they are automotive standard they should see me out

[CharlieH89]

I had a set of red ones in my old Mondeo
If you are on Facebook I guess you could join a Mondeo owners group and see if anyone on there has any files. Plenty of Mondeo anoraks on there. Some a little too weird.
Arguments over Mondeo modifications and who done it first etc