From digest.v6.n869 Thu Jul 10 17:35:51 1997
From: Dan Quicker <quicker_at_cig.mot.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 1997 11:25:43 -0500
Subject: <E36> Harness: bolts and airbag light (long)

I just finished putting in simpson harnesses in my E36 M3. Kind of an involved process actually. Here's what I did, I'd appreciate comments. (all hardware was grade 8 unless otherwise noted)

1. Installed a Euromotorsports? harness bar. That takes care of strapping in the shoulder harness. I used an "H" harness to keep the straps from sliding off my shoulders. This probably isn't needed as I'm slipping the strap under/thru the headrest (outside of the headrest rails, but inside the shoulder extention)
2. Looked everywhere to find a place to mount the lap belt. I couldn't find any obvious places and I didn't want to drill holes in the car. So, I fabricated a bracket that fits between the seat bracket and the floor and uses the rear mounting holes of the seat.

19 1/4" long x 1 1/2" wide x 1/4 thick steel. Drilled and mounted two shortened eye bolts (7" from one end 4 3/4" from the other) to clip the lab belt to. The offset is necessary to clear underseat mechanicals.

3) Bought longer (1/2"?) 10mm grade 8.8 bolts at the hardware store to use in the existing seat mounting holes. Here is an interesting problem. The new bolts have 17mm heads versus the 16mm heads of the OEM bolts. You have to fiddle around to position the seat rails in such a way to allow a socket head to fit, but it can be done. The seat also hits the heads of the bolts if the cushion is all the way down. You can move past the bolts if you raise the seat for an instant and then lower it after you slide past.

4) sub strap is threaded under the front part of the seat the heaviest cross brace under the front of the seat.

To remove the belts for day to day driving, remove two nuts and the harness bar comes out along with the shoulder harnesses. remount the OEM shoulder harness. Unclip the lap belts. Stick the sub-belt under the seat. Done...

Here's comes my question. I removed the passenger seat to look for mounting locations for the lab belt. (not necessary to install the bracket). I had to disconnect 4 connectors under the seat. I'm sure I reconnected them properly (made notes before I took apart) BUT now the airbag light on the dash stays on for ~15 seconds when I restart the car. FYI, The car was started with the seat removed. Do I have to go to the dealer to have the airbag light reset? or did I screw something up?

I tried the belts and it makes a major difference. I'm surprized how much shoulder I was using to turn the wheel. Being strapped back into the seat doesn't allow me the same leverage so I have to get used to it.

Thanks,
Dan