Detailed instructions for fitting Mazda RX8 seats needed

Coffeelandy · Jun 29, 2019

Dr0v3r said:
Great post this, just got some RX8 seats so planning how to go ahead and fit/wire them up.
I have identified those wires quoted above, but what are all the other wires for. I see the yellow plug for the airbag, but there are still several others going into the main plug, what are they for?
Also what about the airbag? Does it need to be removed? Will it go off in a crash, or worse when off roading?

Eyup Mate sorry for late reply. The other wires are for inertia sensors and dull stuff like that. Don't worry about the airbags they can't go off without an electric trigger.

raywin · Jun 29, 2019

Anyone know of a reasonable priced kit to hook up the LR half leather seats I've put in my defender td5 ?
I've seen some advertised but they seem expensive for what you get.

Dr0v3r · Jun 30, 2019

Coffeelandy said:
Eyup Mate sorry for late reply. The other wires are for inertia sensors and dull stuff like that. Don't worry about the airbags they can't go off without an electric trigger.

It's Ok I figured it out. Fitted now, motors wired up, heaters yet to wire up.

Kevlandau · Sep 9, 2019

Hi, I'm looking for a little help. Not sure if I have used the right link, as I normally find things from the forum. Here goes.
I have installed the wiring via relays for two RX8 seats, but noted that a cable was missing for the forward and back motor of the drivers seat. Everything works a treat, but for the main option. The seat is fully forward, so impossible to drive, would anyone know the wiring for this motor, or is there some way of moving the seat back manually? I've checked fleabay, but nothing.

Coffeelandy · Sep 9, 2019

Mate,
The seat moves on a big thread bar that the motor turns. You can manually wind it to the preferred position, it's slow going but does work.

Kevlandau said:
Hi, I'm looking for a little help. Not sure if I have used the right link, as I normally find things from the forum. Here goes.
I have installed the wiring via relays for two RX8 seats, but noted that a cable was missing for the forward and back motor of the drivers seat. Everything works a treat, but for the main option. The seat is fully forward, so impossible to drive, would anyone know the wiring for this motor, or is there some way of moving the seat back manually? I've checked fleabay, but nothing.

Kevlandau · Sep 9, 2019

Coffeelandy said:
Mate,
The seat moves on a big thread bar that the motor turns. You can manually wind it to the preferred position, it's slow going but does work.

Thanks, I'll try that.
I thought that would be impossible, as there are two bars. I'll let you know how I get on.

Coffeelandy · Sep 9, 2019

Kevlandau said:
Thanks, I'll try that.
I thought that would be impossible, as there are two bars. I'll let you know how I get on.

Can you not get power to the motor and do it that way, you might have to strip back the seat a bit but itll be faster?

Kevlandau · Sep 9, 2019

Coffeelandy said:
Can you not get power to the motor and do it that way, you might have to strip back the seat a bit but itll be faster?

That was my original intention, just create a new cable/s and link up to the motor, but I do not know what connects to what. I can guess and see what happens, but knowing my luck, something will blow. I thought about trying to un clip one of the other motors, but the leads are too short.
The problem with turning the rods manually is that it may prevent me from bolting the back seat positions down, so would rather use power, but if needs must!.

Kevlandau · Sep 9, 2019

Kevlandau said:
That was my original intention, just create a new cable/s and link up to the motor, but I do not know what connects to what. I can guess and see what happens, but knowing my luck, something will blow. I thought about trying to un clip one of the other motors, but the leads are too short.
The problem with turning the rods manually is that it may prevent me from bolting the back seat positions down, so would rather use power, but if needs must!.

Excellent! I've hooked up a cable assembly and it works great. Thanks for the help.

I don't know if this has been identified, but to hook the whole seat to the relay / fuse accessory panel I linked
the GREY and YELLOW / RED trace and BLUE cables to the load output 87 from the Relay.
and the PURPLE and WHITE / YELLOW trace together with the switch earth to the Accessory Fuse panel Earth link, giving a solid grounding.

Cheers, well chuffed with these great seats.

Bumpydog · Nov 6, 2020

Doesn't the blue wire go via a separate switched relay, otherwise the heated seats will be on with the ignition? I fitted my passenger seat yesterday and will be doing the drivers seat today. I already had heated defender seats with factory dash switches. The original seat heaters draw about 3A each so, presumably, the Mazda seats draw more current, judging by the prior fuse comments?
As for the drivers seat controls, here's a link to the relevant part of the RX8 user manual - https://www.manualslib.com/manual/455010/Mazda-Rx-8.html?page=21#manual

EDIT: Just checking the RX8 wiring diagrams, the seat motor circuit is protected with a 30A fuse, and the seat heaters with a 20A fuse.

v8250 · Nov 15, 2020

Coffeelandy said:
I must add that Huffhuff was instrumental in this mod and came up with the battery access solution!

@Coffeelandy , could you detail this mod - I'm soon to be be fitting my RX8 seats and if there's a known mod/way to access the battery I would like to understand this.

Thank you
v8250

Rusty Horse · Aug 30, 2021

Appreciate I'm bumping an old thread but it seems to be becoming the definitive thread for fitting RX8 seats, which I am about to do.

My question relates to the airbags and whether they should be removed or not?

Trawling around it seems many say you just need to cut back the yellow wire and they are 100% safe and can't activate. However, others say even after the residual power in the capacitor has drained they could still be activated and so should be removed. What are your thoughts?

My skills are basic - I could cut the yellow wire but would be unsure about dismantling the seat to remove what some claim is still a live grenade.

v8250 · Aug 30, 2021

I have simply removed all the airbag wiring, leaving the airbags in. I see no way the airbag can activate, it needs a 12v supply to work / sensor to be triggered :. tripping the airbag.

And even if they did trip, what's the worse that can happen...? It's only an airbag...

Coffeelandy · Aug 30, 2021

Rusty Horse said:
Appreciate I'm bumping an old thread but it seems to be becoming the definitive thread for fitting RX8 seats, which I am about to do.

My question relates to the airbags and whether they should be removed or not?

Trawling around it seems many say you just need to cut back the yellow wire and they are 100% safe and can't activate. However, others say even after the residual power in the capacitor has drained they could still be activated and so should be removed. What are your thoughts?

My skills are basic - I could cut the yellow wire but would be unsure about dismantling the seat to remove what some claim is still a live grenade.

Hi Mate,
Just remove that particular wore, they won't activate without a serious 25amp blast from an inertia sensor, leave the bags in, saves a mission.

Rusty Horse · Sep 6, 2021

Thanks.
Next Question: What are the brown wires for and what do I do with them? (realise this is 2 questions)

I've go the passenger seat in and trying to wire up the seats heating element. All the guidance I find just says Red +ve/Black -ve (obviously) but no mention of the brown wires I've got - one alongside the red and one alongside the black. Tried ignoring them and wired just the Red & Black but no luck.

Didz1982 · Sep 25, 2021

Hi all, I’ve got a n rx8 seat mounted ready to go, lumbar & height work fine but can’t get power to the motor for the slide function. What wires are for what from the seat please? All references I’ve found don’t have the sliding/rail motion via a motor. Presume it must be more than one live linked up to accommodate it.
Many thanks in advance

v8250 · Sep 25, 2021

Read this + Mazda RX8 wiring diagrams https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/rx8-seats-into-early-military-defender-series.370243/

Si Click · Sep 25, 2021

If anyone is thinking of doing this, my son has just taken the RX8 seats out of his D90 and put in some decent originals (wanted a third seat and to be able to access the battery/ECU in less than an hour). Not sure what they are worth, but available and in good nick.

meego · Sep 25, 2021

Coffeelandy said:
Hi Mate,
Just remove that particular wore, they won't activate without a serious 25amp blast from an inertia sensor, leave the bags in, saves a mission.

I was watching tv this morning and an advert came on with a Defender converted to a coffee bar. Made me think of you. Not in a sexual way of course

v8250 · Sep 25, 2021

meego said:
I was watching tv this morning and an advert came on with a Defender converted to a coffee bar. Made me think of you. Not in a sexual way of course

Were they from Dorset, the couple in Ben Fogle's Land Rover book...?

eta: Arthur, Series III SWB owned by a Jon & Rosie and is their mobile Grounded Barista

Detailed instructions for fitting Mazda RX8 seats needed

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