Remote Start / Heated Seats Issues

crism · January 24, 2014

I just had my 14 sierra SLT in the shop for the remote start heated seat issues. I had 08 sierra SLT that worked great on remote start, the fan was AUTO and blowing full warm air, the heated seat Icon was lit and very nice temp when i got in the truck..... not so in my 2014. the technician said that the software is being worked on to resolve this in my particular production model. He said the later ones have it resolved. I expected when the temp lowered into the low 30s that the same features in my 08 were in the 14. If my seats are warm i cant tell and if the heated seat icon is suppose to remain unlit while they are warming is a lil weired. Im still waiting on the tech to get back with me.

Doug_Scott · January 25, 2014

There is really no sense in comparing how the 2014 model works to how the 2008 model works, or comparing it to a 2014 Ford saying they have the same system. After reading the 3 pages in this thread, plus the other 2 threads on this, I have noticed one thing. No one has thought to not use the remote start, but instead to go outside, open the door, reach in with the key, start the truck, and manually set the seat heater to whatever is considered normal, plus set HVAC to auto, Do not sit in the truck, close the door and go wait in the house for 10 minutes. Now, how hot is the seat?

It may very well be that the seat requires an ass to be present to retain heat in the cushion. Note, does not matter what Ford requires, or what the 2008 model requires, we are testing the 2014 GM truck, Compare results with another 2014 GM truck if you must compare to something.

SILVERADOSC540 · January 25, 2014

Don't want to compare appels to oranges, but my 2012 pre-heats on high and the seats aren't warm to the touch but once you sit on them they warm up quickly if I remember to turn them on once I put the key in the ignition. I can tell you that if I left something on the passenger seat the night before it is noticably warmer under that article. I would suggest that someone with a 2014 leave something solid on the passenger seat the night before and give it a shot. My Stanley lunch box leaves a nice warm spot...

Dnt · January 25, 2014

Report on 2014 crappy heated seats. 2014 GMC Sierra SLT heated and cooled seats.

Outside air temp 43f All temp readings taken with a FLUKE 16 with temp thermistor adaptor (highly accurate device)

Seat surface temp check 2 places on back approx 2 up from bottom and spaced equally across 2 places on bottom approx 2 forward of back and equally spaced across average temp 44f before starting truck

Inserted key started truck and turned heated seat to low power waited ten minutes checked same locations had a average temp reading of 54f

Turned heated seats to High and waited ten more minutes rechecked temps and had 58f

Hmmm very interesting so I set down in the seat for a few minutes with the controls still on high and rechecked the temps now at 92 average and feel nice and cozy warm.. Conclusion the stupid seats will NOT heat up unless someone is sitting in them, reminds me of my chocolate Lab dog when you take it outside to pee or poop you have to stand right there in the cold with it or it will NOT DO ANYTHING. Very irritating. So folks there is your answer the seats have to have your arse sitting in it to actually heat up so the bygone days of remote start and having warm seats when you go get in your ride is OVER......................... Thanks GM engineering great job LOL.............................

redwngr · January 25, 2014

Doesn't GM usually use the term "if equipped" when mentioning an option that may or may not be present?

Could the usage of the term "enabled" means that those with problems simply have vehicles that GM improperly programmed? Not saying they do... just thinking of possible reasons for the heating issues.

I also think gm's uses 'if equipped' in place of 'if installed'.

"If enabled" refers to the setting in the DIC. (when applied to the heated seat discussion)

Localoutlaws post above seems to be different than the op manual, (and shows a mid January date) suggesting that the factory programming may have been changed to operate the seat heater on a 'warmer' setting (when enabled) under remote start. Thoughts?

Doug_Scott · January 26, 2014

Have to wonder if maybe GM has had some complaints from customers regarding damaged articles that were left on the seat and vehicle started with remote start on a cold day. I know a guy that has a ML320 that had to chase Mercedes to replace his leather jacket and seat cover due to heated seat burning the jacket, and damaging the seat cushion. Maybe GM has had some of those claims.

I would suggest that anyone that wants the seat to be warmer when they get in to place something on the seat that can be heated. Blanket with something heavy on top would work, Move it off the seat when you get in and the seat should be warmer. Now the seat back will be too cold though.

My 2010 with aftermarket heated seats (the higher quality ones, not the cheap ones) do not get warm to touch with hand on remote start, but, once you sit on them they heat quicker than they do if I do not set them on before shutting off day before.

crism · January 26, 2014

now thru this great site i read that the intellink settings and the brochures explanation of the remote start is misleading to me. I assumed wrong with the 08 feature that I had. I really wanted to make sure that with the money I spent on this truck with the remote start heated/cooled seating settings were operating correctly. Its gonna be fun explaining this with my co workers.

B&J Aviation · January 27, 2014

How does the seat know that someone is sitting in it? Sensor maybe? if so, just wire the sensor so that it thinks someone is in the seat? We should be able to find out what makes this thing think someone is in the seat.

VMaxtastic · January 27, 2014

How does the seat know that someone is sitting in it? Sensor maybe? if so, just wire the sensor so that it thinks someone is in the seat? We should be able to find out what makes this thing think someone is in the seat.

Well the airbag knows when someone is sitting in it.

BringTheRain403 · January 27, 2014

The heated seat is on even without an ass in the seat. However, the ass in the seat is what keeps the heat in and allows the seat to get warm.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Doug_Scott · January 27, 2014

How does the seat know that someone is sitting in it? Sensor maybe? if so, just wire the sensor so that it thinks someone is in the seat? We should be able to find out what makes this thing think someone is in the seat.

The seat material does not retain the heat. Ever notice that when you use the heated seat, but do not go far enough for the heater in the truck to heat the cab of the truck, but the heated seat is warm. You stop for gas, get out, and pump gas for 10 min. When you get back in the seat, it is stone cold again. It does not keep the heat at all by itself. You can get sitting on it on high, and be there so long your ass is near on fire, get out of the truck wait a minute and then touch the seat. It is no way anywhere near hot. Lucky if it is even warm to the touch, Now your pants are likely still hot to the touch.

Dnt · January 28, 2014

For all the owners that would like to check the operation insert key and start your truck and place the heated seats button in high. Make sure you do NOT SIT in the seat. Wait ten minutes or so and then place your paw (oops I mean hand) on the seat surface. It will still feel cold. Now load your butt in there and it will warm up pretty quickly. Done this a couple of times and that is JUST THE WAY IT IS ON THE 2014's Apparently since they are cooled seats also there is a space between the exterior surface and the heated surface inside Plus the leather is perforated so whatever heat is generated it immediately escapes. Man I am already missing my 2009 sigh but not enough to trade back LOL

Batcat · January 28, 2014

There is another thread in this form site that is discussing the remote start and heated seat dilema. I have a 2014 LTZ Sierra Z71 4x4. I don't care what anyone says, the seat does not heat during remote start. Not even a little. My butt can attest to that. And it doesn't heat up any faster when I push the seat button after remote start. I've tried it on two concurrent 10 min start cycles and nothing, still cold. Had it in twice now and dealer swares its working as designed. But, admits you have to be seated in them for it to warm up. Now think about that, when you remote start the truck your not going to be in the seat - Da. What were they thinking. Sounds like a rookie engineer was put on this task.