Seat Retrofit -- New Module is throwing codes

[dalbreez]

Hi gang -- 2020 V60 owner here. In need of your help. I have spent the last few days reading about the concerns with retrofitting and throwing error codes on this forum. 

I have the amber/tan interior seats but without the thigh extension. I found a donor vehicle with the exact same seats (non-Napa, non-ventilated or massage) with the lumbar support and thigh extension. 

When I went to swap my seats with the shop, they took my old seats and gave me the new ones. Other than initially some error codes from the battery being unplugged and replugged, there was never any issues. Seats were plug and play, and I have been thoroughly enjoying them since installation. 

I have taken the car for its warranty services, and the shop has said that they are unable to software update the vehicle because the current seat modules are not fitting with what is supposed to be associated with the VIN of the car. I was given an estimate to replace my current modules with the ones "for the car" (31419928) in addition to TRM remove, IMS remove, PSMR and PSMD reloads. $3000 total in costs -- and my concern being that my thigh extension chairs may not function with this module they intend to install. 

EDIT: I checked the car, and the module part number for my two new seat modules is in fact 31652046. 
I have a few questions: 

1) Can I unplug the battery, replace my current modules with a pair of 31419928s that I can get from eBay, connect, and have it work? Or will this module for sure not work with the chairs, or perhaps even throw error codes with the chairs? 
2) As a consequence, do I have to switch my seats back to the originals with the original modules in order to software update my car? 
3) Could I get a pair of the 31419928s and plug them in, take them for a software update, update it, then switch it back? 

I'm coming from VAG retrofitting where seat swaps were never an issue. Had I realized that I would brick my car from software updates I would have never proceeded with the retrofit. Feeling like a dunce. Of course, my worry is that if there are ever more complicated software concerns for the car, they won't be able to address them so long as I have this newer module installed.

[IMAY2023]

You can get away with no cost other than VIDA 3 days subscriptions. 
You will need your original seat controllers though. Go to the same dealer and get them. Because even if you find the same exact seat controllers you use to have, VOLVO records have a different SN and HW numbers associated with your VIN. It will always mandate to do software reload before allowing a total upgrade. 

Without having the seat controllers, you can still clear all the others. 
1) Get a VIDA subscription.  $90 for 3 days. 
2) Before connecting the VIDA, revert the car to OEM and disconnect the TRM and IMS. 
3) Read out the car, it will give you HW changes (IMS remove, TRM remove,  PSMR and PSMD reloads) 
4) Order and install configuration changes. for $1.  This will re-read the car and update the VOLVO that all additional modules are removed. 

If you could get your original seat controllers, 
Basically the procedure is the same but with one change. 
1) Get a VIDA subscription.  $90 for 3 days. 
2) Before connecting the VIDA, revert the car to OEM and disconnect the TRM, IMS and put the original seat controllers back. (you don't need to remove the whole seat) 
3) Read out the car, it will give you HW changes (IMS remove, TRM remove,  PSMR and PSMD reloads) 
4) Order configuration changes. for $1, retrieve it  but do not install it yet. 
5) Remove the original seat controllers and connect the new ones that came with the new seats. 
6) Install the retrieved configuration change software. 



This will update the VOLVO servers with the new seat controllers and other added modules are removed. 
Do a clean readout again and HW changes TAB should be empty. 

The seat controllers would not bother you again but every time you visit the dealer or connect the VIDA, you must revert the config changes to OEM and disconnect the IMS and TRM.  


Do not believe those scumbags they simply want to rob you! They could not know if you need a replacement unit or not without trying to reload them first! 

IMS remove costs $35.  > You must disconnect the module. But as I mentioned above. Config change software should take care of it since you've already reverted back the OEM config.  
IMS reload costs $250 > This makes it official and here is no need for changing any module. No more disconnecting the module. Orbit will detect the new OEM settings. 
TRM reload costs around $90 > As far as I know, it's the same exact module for all models. You can install it and make it official, you don't need a new module. 
PSMR and PSMD reloads costs around $90 each.  > Here is the catch. You might not be able to reload the software depending on the part number. If the part number of the new modules are listed as compatible with your VIN. You are good. If not, VIDA will give you an error and won't install. VIDA will not let you know beforehand.  You must purchase and retrieve the  software first. But, you can always ask for refund, it only takes couple of hours or 1 day at most to get the money back.  

If you really want to know if it would install or not, 
Get the part number of the new modules.  Search the google and look at the official volvo parts web page(s). 
If your car's model and year is listed in "What it fits" of the part number itself or one of its Supersession(s), VIDA would install.   

[dalbreez]

You can get away with no cost other than VIDA 3 days subscriptions. 
You will need your original seat controllers though. Go to the same dealer and get them. Because even if you find the same exact seat controllers you use to have, VOLVO records have a different SN and HW numbers associated with your VIN. It will always mandate to do software reload before allowing a total upgrade. 

Without having the seat controllers, you can still clear all the others. 
1) Get a VIDA subscription.  $90 for 3 days. 
2) Before connecting the VIDA, revert the car to OEM and disconnect the TRM and IMS. 
3) Read out the car, it will give you HW changes (IMS remove, TRM remove,  PSMR and PSMD reloads) 
4) Order and install configuration changes. for $1.  This will re-read the car and update the VOLVO that all additional modules are removed. 

If you could get your original seat controllers, 
Basically the procedure is the same but with one change. 
1) Get a VIDA subscription.  $90 for 3 days. 
2) Before connecting the VIDA, revert the car to OEM and disconnect the TRM, IMS and put the original seat controllers back. (you don't need to remove the whole seat) 
3) Read out the car, it will give you HW changes (IMS remove, TRM remove,  PSMR and PSMD reloads) 
4) Order configuration changes. for $1, retrieve it  but do not install it yet. 
5) Remove the original seat controllers and connect the new ones that came with the new seats. 
6) Install the retrieved configuration change software. 



This will update the VOLVO servers with the new seat controllers and other added modules are removed. 
Do a clean readout again and HW changes TAB should be empty. 

The seat controllers would not bother you again but every time you visit the dealer or connect the VIDA, you must revert the config changes to OEM and disconnect the IMS and TRM.  


Do not believe those scumbags they simply want to rob you! They could not know if you need a replacement unit or not without trying to reload them first! 

IMS remove costs $35.  > You must disconnect the module. But as I mentioned above. Config change software should take care of it since you've already reverted back the OEM config.  
IMS reload costs $250 > This makes it official and here is no need for changing any module. No more disconnecting the module. Orbit will detect the new OEM settings. 
TRM reload costs around $90 > As far as I know, it's the same exact module for all models. You can install it and make it official, you don't need a new module. 
PSMR and PSMD reloads costs around $90 each.  > Here is the catch. You might not be able to reload the software depending on the part number. If the part number of the new modules are listed as compatible with your VIN. You are good. If not, VIDA will give you an error and won't install. VIDA will not let you know beforehand.  You must purchase and retrieve the  software first. But, you can always ask for refund, it only takes couple of hours or 1 day at most to get the money back.  

If you really want to know if it would install or not, 
Get the part number of the new modules.  Search the google and look at the official volvo parts web page(s). 
If your car's model and year is listed in "What it fits" of the part number itself or one of its Supersession(s), VIDA would install.   

Thanks so much. I'll contact them -- but unfortunately, I got the seats last June and I didn't realize this was going to be an issue until today. It appears that they have sold the seats  I will still email them however. With this in mind, thanks for the heads up. 

I have searched and my controller for sure first in the Supersession of 'will it install". I have seen variances though in this depending on which Volvo parts website I use.

---

and one thing I want to clarify -- is there chance that if my new modules do in fact work with the V60, and they can be loaded with PSMR and PSMD and IMS and TRM, will I be good forever? Or will I still need to refer the config changes to OEM and disconnect IMS and TRM every time I go to the dealers?

[IMAY2023]

They would be good for ever and would become OEM settings. But you will still need to revert back OEM for other changes you've made.

[dalbreez]

They would be good for ever and would become OEM settings. But you will still need to revert back OEM for other changes you've made.

Nice, sounds good. This is the only change I've made. 

I checked my car today, and it appears that the part number for the new module is 31652046. It appears that this module works for Volvo V60 Cross Country models of my year (naturally), as this is the module present when the vehicle has leg extension function for the seats. 

Let me make sure I understand the steps here: 

Step 1) Go on this website, and buy 3 day VIDA subscription https://www.volvotechinfo.com/vida. Needs to be done via Windows, not Mac. 
Step 2) Purchase this adapter from eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/203449373271?mk...8b90b310b7
Step 3) "Revert car back to OEM" -- How do I revert the car back to OEM ? What is meant by this. 
Step 4) Disconnect IMS and TRM. I'm trying to figure out where these are located. I'm assuming I disconnect the auxiliary and main battery, and then I disconnect the IMS and TRM modules? How do I go about this. 
Step 4) Connect VIDA to my car via the VOE adapater
Step 5) Order and install the configuration changes
Step 6) Do a clean readout again and HW changes TAB should be empty  

My last point here -- this is the only change I want to make for this car. Everything else is OEM. I have no other desire for other modifications. I'm trying to understand why, if this change is made, that I still have to revert the config changes to OEM and disconnect the IMS and TRM if I ever go back to the dealer for a service. My hope is that I can get VIDA, program these modules to link with my car, and then no longer need to do anything again. 

[IMAY2023]

I am getting confused here have you used the Orbit software to enable the IMS,  TRM and seat extension or not? 
If you haven't done any config changes with Orbit, so there is nothing to revert back. But understand this, your original seats did not have the seat extension. When you reload the seat controllers via VIDA, it will overwrite everything in those ECUs according OEM settings of the CAR exactly the way it left the factory. Meaning, your extension may not work afterwards. 
If that happens, You'll need Orbit to enable seat extension.    

[dalbreez]

I am getting confused here have you used the Orbit software to enable the IMS,  TRM and seat extension or not? 
If you haven't done any config changes with Orbit, so there is nothing to revert back. But understand this, your original seats did not have the seat extension. When you reload the seat controllers via VIDA, it will overwrite everything in those ECUs according OEM settings of the CAR exactly the way it left the factory. Meaning, your extension may not work afterwards. 
If that happens, You'll need Orbit to enable seat extension.    

Hi, thanks so much. 

To clarify -- I currently do not have Orbit, and have never had Orbit/VIDA. The only modification I have *ever* made to the car was hardware -- I disconnected the batteries, swapped out the old seats, swapped in the new seats with their new associated modules. All of the functions worked automatically without me needing to do anything. 

I continued to drive the car for 9 months, until the dealer said they cannot do the latest software update on my vehicle because the seat modules do not appear to be associated with my car. 

In the quote, what they said is this: 

"These are the two modules [referring to the two seat modules] with software required to be installed first. We will check further if the same issue occurs with any other module" 

So my guess is in their quote they included software remove for IMS and TRM even though I have never touched those things. 

Seeing as we likely do not need to do anything with IMS or TRM, in this case what do I do from here? 

You have been so helpful -- thank you so much!

[IMAY2023]

My pleasure, 
If you have not touched, replaced or added TRM and IMS. They should not appear in the HW changes avoiding to perform total upgrade. 
If your car is equipped with IMS (internal motion sensor), you should see a button on the center screen "reduced..." which disables the motion sensor (IMS). In the VIDA, you should see "Remove IMS" under the functional changes on demand.  None of the items in the functional change blocks a total upgrade. 

Same thing with the TRM. (Towing module). If you have not added or replace this module it should not appear in the HW changes. 

However, I don't know if you buy the second hand or brand new, if it's second hand and if the previous owner retrofitted those modules it's a different story. 

Regarding the seat controllers,
There are two different risks here. 
1) If VIDA would reload them or not.  You won't be able to know for certain until you actually purchase the reload software and try to install.   
    Yes, in theory; if the part number is listed as replacement part number for your car, it should install.  Worse case, you purchase the reload for one side first $90 USD and      try to install. If it does not install "This part does not fit your car", you can request a refund. 

2) VIDA reloads the module (seat controller) but you might lose the seat extension functionality.
     In this case, you can purchase Orbit and re-enable the seat extension and other nice stuff. But the downside is, you will need to revert those config changes (example:         seat extension) before visiting the dealer or connecting the car to VIDA.

[dalbreez]

My pleasure, 
If you have not touched, replaced or added TRM and IMS. They should not appear in the HW changes avoiding to perform total upgrade. 
If your car is equipped with IMS (internal motion sensor), you should see a button on the center screen "reduced..." which disables the motion sensor (IMS). In the VIDA, you should see "Remove IMS" under the functional changes on demand.  None of the items in the functional change blocks a total upgrade. 

Same thing with the TRM. (Towing module). If you have not added or replace this module it should not appear in the HW changes. 

However, I don't know if you buy the second hand or brand new, if it's second hand and if the previous owner retrofitted those modules it's a different story. 

Regarding the seat controllers,
There are two different risks here. 
1) If VIDA would reload them or not.  You won't be able to know for certain until you actually purchase the reload software and try to install.   
    Yes, in theory; if the part number is listed as replacement part number for your car, it should install.  Worse case, you purchase the reload for one side first $90 USD and      try to install. If it does not install "This part does not fit your car", you can request a refund. 

2) VIDA reloads the module (seat controller) but you might lose the seat extension functionality.
     In this case, you can purchase Orbit and re-enable the seat extension and other nice stuff. But the downside is, you will need to revert those config changes (example:         seat extension) before visiting the dealer or connecting the car to VIDA.

Thanks so much -- I am quite convinced that the dealership just mentioned TRM and IMS because they are other modules and they wanted to 'make sure' nothing was changed -- the car was updated multiple times under my ownership before the seat swaps (with no issues), and so I think we can just carry on and assume that the only retrofit is indeed the seat module swaps. 

Sounds good. So, in short I should get VIDA with the adapter and a Windows computer, and specifically am I downloading just the PSMR and PSMD reloads for the seat modules? I can ignore IMS and TRM entirely. 

From there, the three possibilities seem straight forward: 1) it works! 2) loading software works, leg extension no longer works; 3) loading software doesn't work. 

If I had the original seat modules maybe I could just swap them in, and no need to install anything? But just risk the functions dont work?

[IMAY2023]

Basically yes. 

If I had the original seat modules maybe I could just swap them in, and no need to install anything? But just risk the functions dont work?

Some modules have more PINs that others.  So, it's case by case, try and fail scenario.  Let's assume your new controller has the same amount PINs. Your original seat controller may or may not control the seat extension when installed on the new seats.  If the original controllers wouldn't control the seat extension, you could still enable it by using Orbit. 

Another point you have not mentioned. 
Your new seats with the extension, most of those seats are memory seats both passenger and driver.  You can verify this by looking at the seat motor connectors. If there are 4 wires connected to each motor, then you have memory seat(s). The additional 2 thinner wires are for the position sensor inside of each motor. 

This means that you could also enable passenger seat memory but you would need to replace the passenger door lock button, trim and do some simple rewiring inside the door panel.