Anyone know how to fix or handle a problem w/ the driver's side heated seats?

Any help or suggestions would help me greatly.

Thx.

 

Oh ya, i have a 2000 TL-P and I am knew to the forums.

 

Always remember to do a search in the forums prior to posting. You will usually find the information that you need without having to bring up issues again. In any regard though, I had a problem with my heaters as well in my 99. Apparantly there is a design flaw that causes them to prematurely wear out. I received a reply to my problem and I am attaching the info here. I have not yet done the work but it sounds easy enough to do. Good luck.

Axe

OK, I just did this yesterday so I'll give you all the gory details.

The problem with these stupid heaters is in the seat design. There is a crease on the seat and back of the TL that is held in place by a metal rod, and that rod rests on the heater element causing in to burn out.

1. Remove the seat - simply done, four screws.
2. Remove two electrical harnesses on seat bottom.
3. Remove headrest - just makes it easier to work with the seat.
4. Remove seat from car or simply flip it over to reveal underside.
5. Remove the front (4 screws) and right side (side that does not have the seat controls) plastic mouldings.
6. The seat cover is held in place by 7 O-rings which need to be bend open. Make sure to remove them after opening them and place them in a secure place, otherwise they will fall into the seat and then good luck if that happens. You can probably get away with only removing the front and right side rings (I did) for this should allow you to expose enough seat. There is definately no need to remove the clamps in the back.
7. Remove plastic clamp that holds right side back portion of seat cover.
8. Remove one large bolt from right front side of seat (you will know which one I mean, it will not allow you to peel the seat cover off while it is on.)
8. Carefully peel leather seat cover off of foam to expose heater element.
9. Turn seat back upright.
10. You will now be able to see the heater element and the problem area will be noticable by the burn in the cloth and it probably going to be where the seat crease begins.

If the problem is towards the front of the cushion you may be able to get away with skipping step 11., but I doubt it.

11. Inside the seat crease there is a bar being held in place by three O-rings just like the ones you just took off on the outside, they must be removed in order to reveal the entire element.

12. You now have the entire element exposed and as I said the short is where the cloth is burnt. Mine was burnt on two sides.

13. Cut the element wire just before the beginning of the burn and just after it ends.

14. Pull some wire out on each side by undoing a curve or two until the two ends meet.

15. Strip the wires, connect and solder.

16. Cover with good electrical tape.

17. You are now ready to close up, but before you do, put some tape and maybe some cloth between the heater pad and the crease rod so this doesn't happen again.

18. Turn seat over and reattach wire harnesses and test to make sure you fixed the problem. What a joy it was when that baby heated up like a stove.

Return crease rod and pull cover back into place.

Close up shop.

Sounds much scarier than it is. I was working without direction and the whole thing took me 2 1/2 hours. With my detailed instructions this should take you two or less.

Good luck.

 

The above instructions were mine and it is quite simple to fix.

 

Thx, i appreciate it.