Swap '01 CL S seat w/ seat from different model Acura?
 

I know there may be a few questions about why contemplate such an option, but I'm hoping to find somebody with knowledge of the CL's bolt patterns on the floor, and if there's a seat from another vehicle model made by Acura ('01 MDX, '01 TL, or the '03 CL, for example) with a comparable patern that would allow the CL seat to be swapped out and remain safe and functional? If any, please advise.

Additionally, feedback on the crossover functionality of all the associated seat components/electronics would be crucial info and appreciated as well.

Thanks so much.

99-03 tl seat should be a direct swap. if you have side air bags look for one that has them obviously. 98-02 accord coupe seats should also cross over.

After swapping seats over, the srs light will stay on the dash (even with side airbags). You will have to take the car into a shop which in this case I would recommend the dealership because they have to weight test the seats and get them to communicate with the srs computer so that they will work properly. I was quoted $220 for this job from a local Acura Dealership. I hope this info helps!

I know why you most likely want to change seats. My seat motor broke and I got lucky finding a 2001 CL in a u pull it place with a seat in good shape. Pulled it and put it in my 2001 CL. I had one motor go and couldn't get it to work again with another motor form a junk yard. Don't know why just changing out a bad motor didn't work????

Getting the frame to bolt up should be easy. Any similar year accord or 99-03 to or cl should work. The problem you'll fimd is with the plugs so the electronics will work. You need to cut the plug off the donor car that the seat plugs into as you will need to make a custom plug for the seat to plugin. The pinout diagrams can be found on Google or I have them at home somewhere if you can't find them. I sold a seat from an 03 cl to a guy with an 01 cl and the plugs were different but I made my own plug usimg the described method. Good luck. Tax seats are almost identical to cl type s seats.

Though I needed only the lower cushion for my CL, I picked up a seat from 02 TL off eBay, upper and lower frame, cushions, headrest, and wiring, for $120. The lower cushion appears a little different in design, but function > form in my opinion. I'll post an update once I've had a chance to install.

Thanks to those on the forum here, taking the time to respond. I appreciate it a lot.

03 cl seat
 

I went to swap an 03 seat in my 01....main connector had changed in 03!! Just sharing my experience. Same brain but the harness must have changed; I'm sure you could swap harnesses' though

I picked up a seat from an 03 TL and it worked, but not entirely. The TL seat didn't have the lever on the upper left side that puts the seat forward, probably because it's a two door vs four door. Ended up removing the lower cushion and leather from the old seat and replacing it with a new seat cushion and leather from the new seat. This allowed me to keep the upper and lower frame, upper cushion with lever, brain, wiring harness, and airbag from the original seat. Additionally, the seatbelt buckles are different. The clip from the TL is larger then the clip from that CL, thus the buckles weren't going to be compatible. Basically it wasn't a straight swap. I had to piece together a seat from both vehicles. Everything is looking good now.

My 01 CL needs 2 motors. Will the motors from TL or Accords work?

The motors are good. I think I need the control box (drivers side). Do you have one that works?

Do you know where I can get replacement seat covers?

Upholstery shops can repair the seat covers. They can make it look like new by replacing a small section of the seat cover or make you a whole new replacement cover. You can also upgrade the leather to the cooler perforated leather in most cases. The color will be dyed to match rest of the seats... $200+

You can fine a good relatively inexpensive upholstery repair shop by asking dealerships and/or used car dealers for a referral.

​​​​​

Different number than mine. Have to keep looking!
I read the post above, but I am not completely sure what you did.
I think you used the CL frame and adapted the TL cushions and leather. Is that correct?

Is there a difference between the CL and the CL S-Type seat?

I own a 2001 CL-S and needed to replace the lower leather on my driver's seat. I picked up a complete driver's seat from a 2003 TL. I pieced together a seat for my CL-S using the following from the two seats:

From the TL seat:
-lower frame
-lower leather
-lower cushion
-lower wiring harness
-brain from underside of the seat
​​​​​​​
From the CL-S seat:
-upper frame
-upper cushion
-upper leather
-air-bag
-belt buckle receptacle
-seat adjustment switches and levers and from the lower left side
-lower seat trim

Hope you don't mind me asking more questions. You seem to know quite a bit.
I found a good working seat for $200. The leather is not so good on the seat cushion, but eth back is perfect. I think I can make a good seat leather by using both my old seat and the "new" one.
Are the passenger lower seat covers the same as driver?
Thanks.

Here is a picture of the "new" seat. The red X is where my old seat has damage. The torn part on the "new" seat is in very good condition on my old seat. I think I can uncover the cushions and make one good cover out of the two by splitting the seams and re-stitching them. Might take them to an upholstery shop to get a price first.

There was a really nice '03 with a manual trans at the yard where I got my seat. Mine came out of a white '01. The '03 was same color as mine (NBP), but with black interior. 157K miles, but lot of left front damage, but repairable. If I wanted another project...

Thanks for all of your help.
What I did was find another seat out of a wreck. It was cheaper than the control box I needed, and all motors work. The driver seat had tears, but in different panels than mine. The back on the"new" seat was fine. I took both seat leathers apart at the seams and made one good cover out of them with help from a local upholstery shop. They sewed it all back together and made a new front panel. The also reassembled the seat using the best of the two cushions and seat heaters.

A few more shots. You can see my old seat with the good panel removed and the "new" seat with the panel from my old seat and the new front.

I am wondering if the seat panels from my wife's 2013 TL could be made to fit in my CL. They sure are nice! :toocool:

that's awesome..... I know the plugs are all different and have made custom harnesses for an 03 to fit in an 01 for a friend. What I've ran into is the lower portions on some cars like mine and yours have perforation on the bottom cushion portions all the way in the front (perforated front corner pieces) where some cars arnt perforated here..... must be an 03 type s thing...... I've seen it non perforated in earlier years....can get confusing but that's nice work.

The guy did all that for $85. $200 fior the seat. I think I did good.
The Type -S in 01 and 02 had the perfs. Don't know about 03.