Can someone boil this down quickly for me..
Heated seats in my 02 TLS:
The butt part (lower part) gets nice and warn, even hot, on HIGH setting, on both seats.
The back part (upper part) does not get warm on either side.
Are there even elements in the upper part?

Nothing at all happens on either side, upper or lower, on LOW setting.

What all is probably wrong? It would seem that a heating element that works on HIGH would also work on LOW, so it probably the switch??

Thanks for any help

 

the driver seat has elements in the butt and low back sections
Passenger only gets butt heat due to side airbag issues

Correct procedure is warm the seat up on High- there is a temp OVERLIMIT switch will will cut the power if left on high too long, when it cools it will come back on
Use high to heat the seats till they feel hot, then go to LOW
Low has a temp thermostat type device- it will come on and off as needed to keep the seat warm

There is a known problem and fix- most often occurs driver seat where a wallet would put extra pressure.
See the DIY- Seat heat fixed for $3

 

I guess the driver's side low back element is out.
I do start out on high, seat gets fcuking hot on high after awhile, I am not aware of it ever turning off on it's own-it keeps getting hot until I can't stand it anymore and turn it to low.

I really can't tell it heats anymore on LOW. After turning it off HIGH, seat just cools down to a normal seat just warmed by body temp.

Think maybe there is problem with the thermostat device?

 

haha what you need the seat heater for anyway? You live in Arkansas

 

We get a liitle taste of winter here, only it just lasts 2-3 months

 

Oh please. They arent even needed up here where is -10F in the am.

 

need and want are different- ask any car salesman

Stop running it on high so long- max 5 minutes should be roasting your butt- then go to low
Maybe you are hitting the overtemp switch and then cant tell
Leather doesnt warm up to body heat that much- its seat heat

Inside the seat is basically an electric blanket for a bed- wires run thru fabric
Apply current thru those wires and they get hot~

 

Yeah, but you get lots of practice-you guys are use to it!
I enjoy my heated seat on 28 degree mornings

Besides, it bugs me to have something on my car that doesn't work right

 

i'm in atlanta and use the seat warmers RELIGIOUSLY.

 

I never use mine but it would be nice if they worked. I'll probably try that diy once I rip my seats out for reupholstory.

Btw anyone know if I changed parts of the leather for suede or alacantara that the heaters could mess it up?

 

^ you can change it and they will work fine.

Also you can buy complete aftermarket heated seat elements for under 100 bucks on line (for those that want to replace broken units or give the back seat passengers a lil comfort.

 

And for the life of me, I can't tell any difference between LOW and OFF on the heated seats.

 

a whole replacement mat beats repair on units with more than 1 break -100 bucks is a deal

 

Yes they both have airbags, the passneger seat has a small occupant detection sensor in it and a position sensor in it to shut it off if a small person/child is in the seat or they are sitting goofy. Thats not something that should be in the drivers seat (small child or sitting goofy)

 

http://www.heatedseatkits.com/

 

Except for 99 models, right? Don't they have both elements in passenger seat?

 

the owner manual for each year will say whats heated or not- and why
I can really only say about my 01

 

Rechecked the diagram I have- it indicates the 99 models have heated passgr. seat back.