2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission seat heaters

[DPike]

Does anybody know how to go about troubleshooting seat heaters that don't work? I bought my 01 3500 withe the heated leather seats but they haven't worked since I got it and I'm finally getting around to thinking I should fix em. Thanks

 

[FLynes]

I have the same problem, but it's just my driver's side that doesn't work. It worked, when I bought the truck last Feb, but now it just blinks, when I push the button. I took it in to the dealer, and the answer I got was that there was a short with the heater itself... . the filaments apparently tend to break over time, from getting in the truck and plopping down on it. In my case, I had the outer leather panel replaced, and I think that the guy might have broken through a filament with the sewing machine, because it stopped working after that.



Welcome to Katzkin has the replacement seats for us. They're a bit pricey... local upholstery shop quoted me $332 just for the bottom seat part without install. You'll have to call them at 1-800-842-0590, because I don't think that they list the seat on their site, but they do carry it.



Hope that helps.

 

[ScottLewis]

If the function ofyour's is the same as the '06, the switch indicator lamps themselves give a diagnosis of the problem. You check to see which one, or both, lamps flash when the switch is turned on. Give us a bit more detail and we'll try to help you find the problem.



Dan

 

[FLynes]

Dan,



On our trucksa, the button just blinks for approx. one minute. The owner's manual says to take it in for service, if that happens. Does yours blink in a pattern to diagnose the problem?

 

[pgleavitt]

I'm in the process of switching to a 2001 leather/heated seats and when searching the past threads found out that if your light blinks it's due to a broken wire in the seat in most cases. Many posts about taking the bottom cushion off and locating the wires they tend to break at the heat pad. Solder wire back on and your good to go. The blinking switch was the telltale indicator

 

[ScottLewis]

PLeavitt's post may give you what you need to fix it.



FLynes: Yes the '06 does have a diagnostic built in, Here's the chart that points out the problem area.

 

[FLynes]

Dan,



Thanks for that chart. I don't know if it holds true for ours, but it's good info nonetheless. I'm going to take my seat apart this weekend and bust out the soldering gun and follow PLeavitt's suggestion. Hopefully this works for you too, DPike.

 

[pgleavitt]

If I'm not mistaken you can pull the whole bottom cushion out with 4 bolts. Please post what you find. Thanks

 

[FLynes]

PLeavitt,



Sorry, I lost track of this thread, due to my IAT crisis. Yes, four 10mm bolts hold the lower cushion in. I've taken the seat out about three times, but I only took the cover off the cushion once, and I don't remember being able to access the wire to the heater, because the heater is sewn in to the cover... . I'll take it out today and get an answer by tomorrow and hopefully a fixed seat!

 

[FLynes]

Okay, so it took me three weeks, but I finally got the seat cover off and looked at the seat heater wires..... can you say cheap? But, considering it's DC factory-equipped, it's not surprising.



One of the wires on the right bolster of the driver's seat was disconnected, so I busted out the soldering gun and reconnected it.



WORKS LIKE A CHARM NOW!!!!!! Oo. Oo. Oo.



Of course, it is getting warmer now...



Thanks for the advice PLeavitt and danavilla.