X290 - step by step access to the under driver seat leisure battery compartment

[gerry mcg]

I‘ve prepared a step by step guide to removing the drivers seat and seat swivel in a Fiat X290 PVC (2016 Globecar 600L Revolution) with 2x95Ah Varta LFA AGM batteries fitted in case anyone wants to see how to access the leisure batteis that are located under the drivers seat.

Step 1
Remove 2 or 3 screws from offside plastic handbrake cover

Step 2
This Exposes a plastic inner cover - remove single retaining screw to expose yellow seat airbag connector

Step 3
Push purple release button on yellow connector to separate airbag connector

Step 4
Look under the seat frame where the plastic cover was located.
locate 13mm bolt on threaded stud - this holds on seat earth cable.
remove 13mm bolt

Step 5
Cover ring terminal to prevent shorting out on seat frame

Step 6
Gently withdraw airbag connector and seat earth connector out of central hole in seat swivel

Step 7
Slide seat fully back on the runners
use a T40 L lever to loosen the 2x T40 socket head bolts for the seat runners - it is easier with an L than a socket, as the seat padding somewhat fouls the socket.

Step 8
Now Slide Seat fully forward on the runners to make access to the 4x13mm seat retaining bolts and remove these

Step 9
Carefully lfit seat up off the rear runner studs - Careful as is very heavy and awkward
this exposed the seat swivel base

Step 10
Rotate seat base 45 degrees counter clockwise to expose 5 x T40 seat retaining bolts (front 2 are socket head, rear 3 are countersunk
remove with ⅜” T40 socket

Step 11
Spin seat base another 45 degrees counter clockwise to align hole in top with mushroom headed bolt.
Use 20mm shallow socket to remove bolt by hole

Step 12
Seat base is still held by fixing on mid centre on inboard side
Remove 3 x crews from centre plastic seat base cover

Step 13
Locate mirror of threaded stud holding earth wire on Step 4

Step 14
Lift seat base off to expose battery compartment

Step 15
Refit is reverse of removal
When refitting the seat swivel, locate all the 5x T40 bolts plus the mushroom head 20mm bolt finger tight before tightening any up. The fit is not great and If you tighten up a fitting before all the bolts are engaged properly in their threads it can make tightening some of them difficult an I guess you risk cross threading

Battery compartment dimensions
345mm front to rear
345mm side to side
195mm tall

 

[deleted79651]

Thanks, Gerry, for the very detailed [Idiots] Guide that has all of the steps, including those that knowledgeable people do on 'auto pilot', leaving those of us who put the 'Idiot' in Guide scratching our heads and swearing!

Steve

 

[davidroxburgh]

Thank you - that is a fantastic resource. What would you estimate as the time to get everything off - assuming modest technical skill? that weight over 8KG is just the swivel so I guess the seat itself is much heavier. Mine have heard seats too!

 

[Terry242]

For someone who needs that, it's bloody brilliant

Terry

 

[gerry mcg]

Thank you - that is a fantastic resource. What would you estimate as the time to get everything off - assuming modest technical skill? that weight over 8KG is just the swivel so I guess the seat itself is much heavier. Mine have heard seats too!

30min to an hour to remove
15 min to reassemble
The seat is maybe 25-30 kg ? And awkward. Be careful not to mark interior wood work with runners. Put a rug or blanket down. It is really better to lift the seat as a 2 person job due to the awkwardness of it, but you can manage with 1 person

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[bigwood]

A very comprehensive guide that’s well written. The seats in my 55 plate transit based motorhome are both held in with four bolts. The only electrics under them are for the batteries. The drivers side is best leaned over on to the passenger seat rather than lifting it out . The seat belt is attached to its base.
I suppose that’s progress making it more of a dealer job.

 

[gerry mcg]

It is worth adding that one of the three rear large countersunk T40 bolts holding the swivel to the frame was so tight it started to strip the head, so I had to cut a slot in the head with a dremel and used a large screwdriver to remove, then I replaced with hardened (not stainless) bolts.
Hardened because they have greater tensile strength and the seat can be subjected to severe forces in a crash, and stainless could snap

 

[L' Hobo]

Wow, after looking at that, I'm happy that my hab batteries are under my bed behind the seat.

 

[David BW]

A great guide thank you. After removing the stud our ground cable connector was still trapped by the seat base, so had to cut the cable and add a bullet connector.

 

[David BW]

It is worth adding that one of the three rear large countersunk T40 bolts holding the swivel to the frame was so tight it started to strip the head, so I had to cut a slot in the head with a dremel and used a large screwdriver to remove, then I replaced with hardened (not stainless) bolts.
Hardened because they have greater tensile strength and the seat can be subjected to severe forces in a crash, and stainless could snap

I had the same issue, you've reminded me that I need to get a replacement as I only put 4 of 5 back in!

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[Ingwe]

Thanks for the really useful post. And it’s renewed my desire to have a Lengtool socket driver set!

 

[VXman]

I have removed my seat half a dozen times now and had never seen this.

Just to say - I didn't need to do step 1 and 2 to access the nut in step 4. I was able to access it from under the seat through the front with a rachet/small socket extension/socket.

This saves a lot of the initial removal work involving the side plastic panel.

 

[Gaston aires]

I just did my underseat battery replacement and I just unscrewed 4 bolts, 2 front two back and the whole seat tilted backwards allowing the replacement. Seemed fairly easy to me.
Phil

 

[L' Hobo]

Thanks for the really useful post. And it’s renewed my desire to have a Lengtool socket driver set!

You might find it better getting a TENGtool socket set, or is that the Chinese version?

 

[Steve N Tracy]

I just did my underseat battery replacement and I just unscrewed 4 bolts, 2 front two back and the whole seat tilted backwards allowing the replacement. Seemed fairly easy to me.
Phil

Hi Phil that's how I do mine, just the two17mm ones on the floor however no need to undo the back two just pull the seat and base forward as they have a slide in fork mounting, if the handbrake is off there is enough movement to move the driver's forward enough to tilt as well.

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[Gaston aires]

Hi Phil that's how I do mine, just the two17mm ones on the floor however no need to undo the back two just pull the seat and base forward as they have a slide in fork mounting, if the handbrake is off there is enough movement to move the driver's forward enough to tilt as well.

That’s exactly how I did mine, easy peasy. I did loosen the rear one’s slightly so it slid out easily.
Phil

 

[Lumpy]

Great instructions for any van with those seat swivels and batteries under drivers seat, Im just glad I have different swivels and the batteries are under the passenger seat ;-)

 

[gerry mcg]

I had the same issue, you've reminded me that I need to get a replacement as I only put 4 of 5 back in!

I've probably got a few spares. Pm me your address and I will check tonight

 

[David BW]

I've probably got a few spares. Pm me your address and I will check tonight

Thanks Gerry - PM sent

 

[jezport]

Im sure I lifted the whole seat with swivel up without separating IIRC

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[L' Hobo]

Im sure I lifted the whole seat with swivel up without separating IIRC

If you did and it's anything like mine, you must be strong as the swivel weights a ton(or nearly ) .

 

[vintageb3]

After removing the stud our ground cable connector was still trapped by the seat base, so had to cut the cable and add a bullet connector.

David, I know your post was a year ago but can I ask where the ground cable should be fitted? It doesn't look like its ever been connected in my van. Thanks!

 

[David BW]

David, I know your post was a year ago but can I ask where the ground cable should be fitted? It doesn't look like its ever been connected in my van. Thanks!

It’s the one shown in step 4 of the instructions above but I really can’t remember where the other end connects. The connector ring shown in that step had somehow been fitted such that removing the stud didn’t release the connector ring. The ring was there but trapped. Sorry, I can’t offer much more help without taking the seat out again.

 

[repairer]

I just did my underseat battery replacement and I just unscrewed 4 bolts, 2 front two back and the whole seat tilted backwards allowing the replacement. Seemed fairly easy to me.
Phil

Mine too, very simple, undo two front bolts, slacken two rear bolts and seats tilts fully back, just had to support the seat so it did not fully tip over.

 

[ianto999]

It is worth adding that one of the three rear large countersunk T40 bolts holding the swivel to the frame was so tight it started to strip the head, so I had to cut a slot in the head with a dremel and used a large screwdriver to remove, then I replaced with hardened (not stainless) bolts.
Hardened because they have greater tensile strength and the seat can be subjected to severe forces in a crash, and stainless could snap

I’ve had rounded as well, where did you find the bolts please? TIA

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[gerry mcg]

I’ve had rounded as well, where did you find the bolts please? TIA

Westfield Fasteners is it great supplier of all things nuts and bolts! Will see if I have any spares left over
the bolts are M8x20

 

[L' Hobo]

I‘ve prepared a step by step guide to removing the drivers seat and seat swivel in a Fiat X290 PVC (2016 Globecar 600L Revolution) with 2x95Ah Varta LFA AGM batteries fitted in case anyone wants to see how to access the leisure batteis that are located under the drivers seat.

Step 1
Remove 2 or 3 screws from offside plastic handbrake cover

View attachment 543669

Step 2
This Exposes a plastic inner cover - remove single retaining screw to expose yellow seat airbag connector
View attachment 543670View attachment 543671

Step 3
Push purple release button on yellow connector to separate airbag connector
View attachment 543672View attachment 543673

Step 4
Look under the seat frame where the plastic cover was located.
locate 13mm bolt on threaded stud - this holds on seat earth cable.
remove 13mm bolt
View attachment 543674View attachment 543675

Step 5
Cover ring terminal to prevent shorting out on seat frame
View attachment 543676View attachment 543677

Step 6
Gently withdraw airbag connector and seat earth connector out of central hole in seat swivel
View attachment 543732
View attachment 543679

Step 7
Slide seat fully back on the runners
use a T40 L lever to loosen the 2x T40 socket head bolts for the seat runners - it is easier with an L than a socket, as the seat padding somewhat fouls the socket.
View attachment 543681

Step 8
Now Slide Seat fully forward on the runners to make access to the 4x13mm seat retaining bolts and remove these
View attachment 543682View attachment 543683

Step 9
Carefully lfit seat up off the rear runner studs - Careful as is very heavy and awkward
this exposed the seat swivel base
View attachment 543684
Step 10
Rotate seat base 45 degrees counter clockwise to expose 5 x T40 seat retaining bolts (front 2 are socket head, rear 3 are countersunk
remove with ⅜” T40 socket
View attachment 543685
Step 11
Spin seat base another 45 degrees counter clockwise to align hole in top with mushroom headed bolt.
Use 20mm shallow socket to remove bolt by hole
View attachment 543687View attachment 543688View attachment 543689

Step 12
Seat base is still held by fixing on mid centre on inboard side
Remove 3 x crews from centre plastic seat base cover
View attachment 543697
Step 13
Locate mirror of threaded stud holding earth wire on Step 4
View attachment 543698

Step 14
Lift seat base off to expose battery compartment
View attachment 543703View attachment 543704View attachment 543705

Step 15
Refit is reverse of removal
When refitting the seat swivel, locate all the 5x T40 bolts plus the mushroom head 20mm bolt finger tight before tightening any up. The fit is not great and If you tighten up a fitting before all the bolts are engaged properly in their threads it can make tightening some of them difficult an I guess you risk cross threading

Battery compartment dimensions
345mm front to rear
345mm side to side
195mm tall

I have just had my attention redrawn to this VERY good guide and WOW! that is complicated route one has to follow, JUST to get to the Leisure Batteries!

I'm happy to report, in my 2007 Murvi X250, they are situated along the offside of the van, in their separate compartment, just behind the driver under the bench seat/bed.

Is this standard fitting on a X290 because, if it is, I am shocked by the complexity!

Thankyou once again to the OP for posting it!

 

[mackeellan]

Such a helpful, timeless article. Thanks for your effort.

 

[treblid]

I’ve had rounded as well, where did you find the bolts please? TIA

Westfield Fasteners is it great supplier of all things nuts and bolts! Will see if I have any spares left over
the bolts are M8x20View attachment 952585

Ensure the replacements are of the same correct hardness. It's marked on the top of the head on the originals.