GUIDE: Heated seat repair.

[andrewjs18]

my button doesn't turn the heated seat on at all - no clicks or anything.

I need to check the fuses.

 

[IMSITINGINYOURCHAIR]

I wonder what caused it to blow...

 

[andrewjs18]

I wonder what caused it to blow...

it's been like that since I bought the car...just haven't had time to look at it.

while there's a break in the weather in PA, I'm going to check the fuses today.

 

[andrewjs18]

so I hit all of the fuses mentioned in this post with a test light today and all tested good.

what do you guys suggest my next testing spot be?

as I said previously, the button doesn't go from hi to lo nor do I hear any clicks when pushing the button.

 

[Spriteman]

Do both switches not light up?

Do both of the doors other accessories work? windows, locks, mirror?

Trying to figure out the best test point - the schematics are quite complicated.

If they both aren't working then I think we should focus on the driver door.

With that in mind it looks like you're going to have to check some voltages at the Driver Door Module (DDM).

I'll be back with the exact wire you can test. I'm looking for the voltage from the fuse block to the DDM, once that checks good we can go to the Heated Seat Switch.

 

[andrewjs18]

Do both switches not light up?

Do both of the doors other accessories work? windows, locks, mirror?

Trying to figure out the best test point - the schematics are quite complicated.

If they both aren't working then I think we should focus on the driver door.

With that in mind it looks like you're going to have to check some voltages at the Driver Door Module (DDM).

I'll be back with the exact wire you can test. I'm looking for the voltage from the fuse block to the DDM, once that checks good we can go to the Heated Seat Switch.

the passenger side heated seat fully works, it's just the drivers side that doesn't.

all of the other accessories (windows, locks, mirrors, memory buttons, etc.) work on the drivers door.

edited to add: the heated seat button does not illuminate on the drivers side at night as well...I'm not sure if that's because the bulb is burned out or what...all of the other buttons on the door light up at night.

 

[Spriteman]

With a multi-meter you should see 12v at the A & B pins of the Driver heated seat module - under the seat.

The A pin should show 12v all the time - even with key off

The B pin should show 12v with key on only

If you get 12v for both of those let me know.

Make sure you have a good ground.

Do you have access to both left and right heated seat modules? If you do you could compare the MM readings on the working right one to the left one.

 

[andrewjs18]

With a multi-meter you should see 12v at the A & B pins of the Driver heated seat module - under the seat.

The A pin should show 12v all the time - even with key off

The B pin should show 12v with key on only

If you get 12v for both of those let me know.

Make sure you have a good ground.

Do you have access to both left and right heated seat modules?

can the heated seat module be accessed without removing the seat? do you happen to have a photo of what it should look like

 

[Spriteman]

Here's a link to a diagram of the driver's seat exploded. The heated seat module is part #42 - http://parts.nalleygmc.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=383944&ukey_make=1022&ukey_model=14443&modelYear=2004&ukey_trimLevel=15001&searchString=driver+heated+seat

To access the heated seat module you would have to remove the seat.

Just found some more info and it says you can access the heated seat module by moving the seat all the way back.

 

[andrewjs18]

Here's a link to a diagram of the driver's seat exploded. The heated seat module is part #42 - http://parts.nalleygmc.com/showAsse...imLevel=15001&searchString=driver+heated+seat

To access the heated seat module you would have to remove the seat.

thanks for the link.

hmn, as far as checking it, that might have to wait until it gets warmer out. I was hoping I'd be able to reach under the seat and pull it out to do a quick check with the MM.

 

[IMSITINGINYOURCHAIR]

wouldn't be a bad idea to have a vac ready and grab all the debris out from under there. I found a couple dollars worth of coins under mine. is that module riveted in place? I can't remember how mine looked..

 

[Spriteman]

Checking the seat removal procedure - it's 4 bolts and the plastic front piece that comes off. Looks very simple. That would give you access to all of the wires and module underneath.

 

[andrewjs18]

With a multi-meter you should see 12v at the A & B pins of the Driver heated seat module - under the seat.

The A pin should show 12v all the time - even with key off

The B pin should show 12v with key on only

If you get 12v for both of those let me know.

Make sure you have a good ground.

Do you have access to both left and right heated seat modules? If you do you could compare the MM readings on the working right one to the left one.

even though I probably won't be able to check this out for a few months due to the weather around this time in Pennsylvania, what happens if both pins read 12v? does that mean the heated seat module is bad?

Checking the seat removal procedure - it's 4 bolts and the plastic front piece that comes off. Looks very simple. That would give you access to all of the wires and module underneath.

if I get a break in the weather again, I'll likely check this out.

do you have a diagram for the procedure?

 

[bobbo]

In October I replaced the module on a 2005 LeSabre. FWIW, I didn't have to remove the seat. I raised the front and lowered the back and that gave enough clearance to get to the module. Module was held in with two small hex head screws.

 

[IMSITINGINYOURCHAIR]

now that I think about it, you could just remove the bolts (four) and lay the seat back to get better clearance without removing the seat from the car. trust me taking it out is harder than it sounds.

 

[andrewjs18]

In October I replaced the module on a 2005 LeSabre. FWIW, I didn't have to remove the seat. I raised the front and lowered the back and that gave enough clearance to get to the module. Module was held in with two small hex head screws.

did that end up fixing your problem?

gosh, I'm hoping that's all that is wrong with mine.

now that I think about it, you could just remove the bolts (four) and lay the seat back to get better clearance without removing the seat from the car. trust me taking it out is harder than it sounds.

that's what I was thinking.

unfortunately I was sick over the weekend and didn't feel up to messing with the car. of course it'll be in the 20s next weekend...

I guess it'll wait until spring, unless I get another break in the weather soon.

 

[bobbo]

Yes it did. The first thing I did, though, was to swap the driver's side module with the passenger's side module to see if the module was defective, and it was.

 

[andrewjs18]

Yes it did. The first thing I did, though, was to swap the driver's side module with the passenger's side module to see if the module was defective, and it was.

that might not be a bad idea to try since I know the passenger side heated seat works..

I need a bigger garage. 😡

 

[IMSITINGINYOURCHAIR]

of course it'll be in the 20s next weekend...

I guess it'll wait until spring, unless I get another break in the weather soon.

I did the first repair attempt in 35f and overcast. I'm just used to the cold air I guess seeing as I also pulled the interior on my expedition to clean the carpet in the same weather too.

 

[andrewjs18]

I did the first repair attempt in 35f and overcast. I'm just used to the cold air I guess seeing as I also pulled the interior on my expedition to clean the carpet in the same weather too.

the irony in my previous statement is that now is the time I'd want to use my heated seat and it's broken.

if the snow holds off this weekend and I'm feeling better, maybe I'll bust out the sockets and swap that module to see if it's a dead module or not.