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Lil bastard · 09-02-2010, 10:20 AM

FYI, the reason for the different PNs is that from '02 onward, the seatbelts had pyrotechnic retractors to 'cinch' up the belts if the airbags were deployed. These will not work in earlier cars because the wiring harness is missing and the DME is different.

The early cars used an inertia reel to 'lock' the seatbelts when significant force was applied to the belts (such as the weight of a passenger thrust forward). But, they only 'lock' and don't actually retract to snug the occupant in.

If you tried using the pyro type retractors without the wiring and brain to fire the charge on impact, they would not retain you at all and you go flying into the airbag, dash and windshield before you ran out of excess belt - as in wearing no seatbelt at all.

Cheers!

09-02-2010, 10:20 AM	#8
Lil bastard Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Du Monde Posts: 2,199	FYI, the reason for the different PNs is that from '02 onward, the seatbelts had pyrotechnic retractors to 'cinch' up the belts if the airbags were deployed. These will not work in earlier cars because the wiring harness is missing and the DME is different. The early cars used an inertia reel to 'lock' the seatbelts when significant force was applied to the belts (such as the weight of a passenger thrust forward). But, they only 'lock' and don't actually retract to snug the occupant in. If you tried using the pyro type retractors without the wiring and brain to fire the charge on impact, they would not retain you at all and you go flying into the airbag, dash and windshield before you ran out of excess belt - as in wearing no seatbelt at all. Cheers! __________________ 1990 Porsche 964 Carrera 4 Cabriolet 1976 BMW 2002 1990 BMW 325is 1999 Porsche Boxster (gone, but not forgotten) http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/a...smiley-003.gif Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly! Last edited by Lil bastard; 09-02-2010 at 07:56 PM.