458 Racing seat air bag sensor

I have a 2015 458 Italia that I purchased 6 months ago from a dealer in another state with 1560 miles on it. I have driven it about 200 miles. I took it to my local Ferrari dealer for some service and while there I asked them to check out the intermittent air bag code being shown. They determined that the sensor in the passenger racing seat was defective and needed replacing. Upon trying to get the sensor pad from Ferrari, the dealer was told that the part is not available separate and the ONLY way to get one is to buy the whole new seat for $33,000.

The pad is made by IEE in Luxembourg, but they have not responded to the dealers request.

I have also contacted the dealer where I purchased the car for them to look into this problem as well.

Why will not Ferrari cooperate in just sending the dealer the needed sensor pad so it can be installed in my seat. The seat is out of the car and the old sensor removed so a new one can be inserted and all be put back together.

This is a safety issue so why won't Ferrari cooperate. Does anyone have any ideas?

Ron

 

My seat is already dismantled and at the upholsterer so we can do that. Do you know where I might get get one from a someplace where they dismantle these seats? We are trying to contact the manufacturer of the sensor in Luxembourg, but they have not responded to us. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Also we have s sensor from a Daytona seat, is that the one you had re installed?

 

We have a new sensor that is for a standard seat, but hesitate to use it as it is larger than the race seat sensor and configured different than the race seat sensor. And we are also concerned that it won't release the airbag if the car is in a crash. The dealer said they don't want the liability of putting it in, however, we could make it fit. But I don't know if it would be safe either?

 

The correct sensor for the racing seat is from IEE in Luxembourg. The part number is 721399_01 IEE company has responded to me stating that they do have the part, but can't sell it to me and I have to gr through Ferrari to get one. So we are now back at square one and are trying to put pressure on Ferrari to get the part and fix the airbag issue. Will let you know if we are successful .

 

I do have a factory carbon fiber racing seat. I called Scuderia and gave them the part number you posted. They asked for my vin # and at first they said that was the correct sensor. However, upon me asking if he was sure that the sensor was for the race seat. He then said it was for the comfort seat and not the race seat.

We have one that is like the one you show. the seat is apart and when we put the two together, the one out of my seat is smaller with different wire configurations. Also the molex comes out the back on mine and out in the middle just as the one you show.

I had Ferrari Of Denver first test the problem with the sensor so they are doing the work on it and sent it to their upholstery place. Ferrari Of Denver will not put on the comfort seat sensor as they say it is not the correct part and will not assume the responsibility if the air bag does not operate properly.

I met with the upholstery guy and he said he could make it work but that it would be a tight fit and might interfere with the hog rings when he puts the leather back on.

I think it will work, however, we are trying to get Ferrari to sell us the one like cam on my car that is made by IEE company in Luxemborg .

Does yours sense it when someone is in the passenger seat and function properly?

 

Update on my racing seat airbag sensor issue.
Ferrari North America refused to sell us the correct sensor saying it was an integrated system and only available when purchasing a complete seat. However, the dealer I purchased the car from was able to come up with an exact match seat bottom. Which he shipped to my local Ferrari dealer. They installed it, and it functions just fine with no more airbag codes. I am now enjoying driving my car after two months of trying to get the issue resolved.