2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission help on seat heaters

[RFirpo]

Driver side seat heater switch flashes at top led light. Service manual on 2001. 5 says auto diagnostics point to open heater grid. Grid most likely broken secondary to seat use (120 k miles). Dealer says grid heater in seat can't be replaced since my truck was built one week before a grid heater replacement would be available. To change the grid, the leather cover would have to be replaced since the heater grid is sewn into the leather. Leather cover is available for $ 800. Labor $200 to $300. There must be a way to replace or repair the element. Cold buns are not an option, but neither is $1,100 for a seat cushion cover.



Any suggestions?

 

[wmorden]

You could buy an after market add in for ~$130 and install it or maybe modify it so the grid that comes with it replaces your original... see one option here: http://www.rostra.com



Good luck...

 

[dresslered]

This is so Daimler-Chrysler it makes me want to puke! #@$%! Your probably better off going with the aftermarket as wmorden suggests.



I love the Cummins, but I am getting sick of the Daimler-Chrysler quality (or lack of). After a bunch of minor, ball joints, and various steering components on my Ram, now I have to do the ball joints on my wife's Durango so that the wheels won't fall off.



Sorry, had to vent!

 

[WestTN]

Do a search on this. I seem to recall that several people have repaired these. It seems the wires to the heater elements break.

 

[TURBOs4LIFE]

YES! Remove the seat cover and look at where the wires enter the seat cover. You will see where the wire is soldered to the heating element and that is held down with hot glue to the seat foam. The really tiny heating element wire usally comes undone from the main wiring. If its like mine all you have to do is reattach it and put seat back together and be on your way with warm buns again! Oo.

 

[RFirpo]

Fixed it!



Took the seat cushion out and looked at all the wiring, looked all right and each grid circuit tested for continuity. The back rest did not test for continuity, was able to check each circuit and found the problem in the outboard heating grid, removed the tape and there was a burned area in the foam, did not have to take the back rest leather off only rolled it up. Re stripped the element grid wire and resoldered the wires here. Padded the seat cushion, put it back together and by darn it worked.



Thanks for the input, this is a great site. Saved my buns.



200l. 5 Eth Dee, 120K miles. Guages, EZ edge. RV injectors gets an honest 20 mpg empty.