Ok I've searched and not found a def. answer to this one.

I have a 97 maxima and I just bought the seats from a 98 I30 it has the side air bags. I was told I could have the side air bag wiring and sensors for an extra $100 if I have the side impact sensors and the brain under the armrest. can I just plug everything else up into the new brain and have it working or are there diff. that I can't over come with the wiring and the brain. (will my front air bags still work?)

 

Not positive, but from my experience with my 98 I30 the only difference is the additional wiring to the seats & the control box under the console. There probably are sensors in the side of the car to trigger the seat bags, but I'm not sure. The FSM for a 98 Maxima should have that info.

 

yeah there are sensors I've had my hand on them. I just worried that the brain will not work with my existing airbags. Does anyone know if the lugs for the front airbags are the same?

 

Now that I do know about. The lugs you are referring to are the mounts? If so then they are the same. I put 97 airbag components in a 98 with no issue.

 

Sorry I meant to say "plugs" not "lugs" as in the plugs on the wiring harness that goes to the brain under the armrest

 

Just wondering, why would you want to incorporate the side airbags into your car? I know that you may want them for a safety feature, but myself and many many other people have had AWFUL troubles keeping the airbag light off from theses stupid side airbags.

IMHO, I would just use the seats without the airbags attached so that you do not have to deal with the headache. Just my .02

 

it's a safety thing...I would like to use the side air bags if I can since I have them and can get the rest of the parts right now. If they will not work then I will just use them the way they are but I would like for them to work.

 

Kind of hard to say how much safety benefit the side airbags give you since they are only torso type, and non-side airbag Maximas get a 4/5 star NHTSA side impact rating to begin with.

I have side airbags from an I35 in my Maxima. The torso type that are in the seat's side bolsters are far less effective than the curtain types in most new cars these days. I left mine disconnected.

 

i hate airbags. the less the better imo. pita w that airbag light.