Hi guys/gals!

I'm new to the group and looking for help!

I like my scoobie doo just fine, except for the extremetly poor lumbar support in the seat. Even with years of working out and weightlifting, I cannot drive the WRX w/o getting back pain.

I've enjoyed my Recaro in my Corrado for over ten years, so I just ordered and received another wonderful Recaro Sport seat (this time I splurged for leather).

HOWEVER, disconnecting my seat's side air bag will apparently cause problems with the airbag system.

The store where I ordered the seat said just to put a resistor in place of the airbag that is the same as the airbag. However, this is only 8/10ths of an ohm. Seems close to a jumper wire to me.

Anyone know if I need this small of a resistor or just a jumper?

How easily it is to damage the airbag system by driving it without the side air bag like the Recaro manual warns?

If the airbag light comes on, I understand that I must go to the dealer to have it reset. And then the legal issues start. They won't touch it unless I have a release from the DOT. So, I plan to write a letter for my physical therapist to sign to say I need a better seat. Should be no problem here, but dealing with the gov't never is fun.

Help, the WRX is in the driveway waiting for resolution...

thanks,
brian
briangday@hotmail.com

hey brian, i do not have a solution for this but i would like to say i respect you, cause i think your are by far the first new person on the forums to actually post in the correct corresponding thread. Thanks for following the directions.

Note: I was the nub who also didnt follow directions :p

While I don't personally endorse any tampering with the airbag system, I'll pass along some info that should help you.
Many others have done similar seat swaps, either for aftermarket seats or non-stock Subaru seats w/o airbags (i.e. JDM seats). The accepted fix for the missing seat airbags is to connect a 3.3 ohm resistor in place of the connector from each seat. This will prevent the airbag light from coming on. If the light is already on it will go off on its own once the resistors are connected.
If you do the resistor fix be sure to make the connections sound so they can't come apart or short, and insulate everything well.
I wouldn't bother trying to get a release from the DOT, it will be like shouting down a well. However it's your decision to proceed if you so desire.