Heated Seat Programming

[andice]

I recently completed installation of GM heated seat kit (19159306) on my 2011 Suburban. I took the truck to the dealer to have the system activated and they have indicated that I need an "authorization code" that should have been included in the box. My kit appeared complete. I have read that some dealerships can get the heated seats to work without issue, while others struggle. Is there really an authorization code needed? I know that adding tilt sensors and remote start kits require these codes, but should my seat heater kit have included a code?

[Artey72]

If there is a program to load for them to work then there is a code necessary. The code is usually on the first page of the instructions.

[andice]

Looking at instructions now. 24 pages. Eight English, eight Spanish, eight French. No code. Several service procedures (how to remove seat, how to remove seat cover, etc.) but no authorization code.

[andice]

Nothing like this was included with my kit. Just 24 stapled pages of instructions and required parts.

[Duelin]

Where did you buy the kit? And have you contacted them and explained your problem?

[andice]

Bought kit online (eBay) and it was complete. Seems like the tech at dealership may be unfamiliar with the activation phase of the install.

[Duelin]

Well sounds like you are going to have to find a dealer that knows how to program them. I don't know if you need a code or not. I know that when you install a remote starter kit you need one. Any way keep us posted so none of the other members have to go through the same thing. Good Luck

[Doug_Scott]

When dealer installed the 2 way remote start on my truck, they told me they had to call tech line to get the code and then activate it on my truck. They had to call a couple of times, and had issues getting the truck to accept the code. I got the entire kit back from the dealer (I had asked them to leave everything left over, or parts taken off in the truck) and there is nothing like an activation code. The instructions gloss over the call to tech line completely. They simply say to call tech line to activate package.

I was told by the parts department that only a dealer could install this kit and get it activated due to having to call tech line for a code. Looking at the kit I got, it was obvious that essentially all of the electrical parts you would expect to get in a remote start kit were already part of the truck. Kit contained a hood ajar/open sensor, remote, antenna and instructions. There is no way to get the GMAccessories remote start kit to work without calling tech line.

 

I don't know what comes in the heated seat kit, but, it would seem to me that it would have the heat pads for the seats, switches, wiring harness for switches and heat pads, and maybe a bezel for the switches. If it has all those parts, you can make the kit work without an activation code, but, they would end up being installed as if it was an aftermarket universal kit. No integration with BCM, so no auto turn on with remote start. When I had aftermarket leather seats covers installed, they also added heated seats, but they were not GMAccessories heated seats, so I need to remember to leave them turned on when I get out of the truck, same for heater controls, SL models of Sierra do not have auto climate control, so no auto heat/a/c on remote starts.

[pjp]

There's an old post on this web site that describes what the dealer needs to program the BCM. Basically, the numbers they will need are on the module itself. They enter the numbers with the TECH II... I first made the mistake of installing everything without documenting the numbers on the module then had to loosen the seat to get access to read them...

[andice]

Thanks Doug and pjp. I am not going to let this go. The dealer/service center seems uptight because they "spent over two hours" messing with this yesterday. Well, I spent TEN hours installing the seat heaters/wiring and just as many doing research to make sure I was getting it installed properly.

[andice]

There is a main GM part number (mine is 25862293) on the module as well as a longer number below the GM part number. The tech can choose the GM part number during the install process and then tell the computer that he is installing heated seats. Does the tech need to call tech support first?

[Doug_Scott]

Thanks Doug and pjp. I am not going to let this go. The dealer/service center seems uptight because they "spent over two hours" messing with this yesterday. Well, I spent TEN hours installing the seat heaters/wiring and just as many doing research to make sure I was getting it installed properly.

 

I have used the same dealer since 97. I am not the easiest person to deal with, mostly because I will not accept being talked down to. Nothing pisses me off faster than a service adviser talking to me like I am a girl(no offense to females, but, you know what I mean now). I can completely understand the dealership getting uptight about this, the mechanic is likely flat rate, and activating heated seats most likely pays .5h. There may not even be a listing for just activating, it is part of the install job. Besides that, the mechanic is spending time with tech line people, and should be paid for his time. Dealership can't very well charge you for something they can't fix, but, they do need to pay the technician. It is not the techs fault they can't get it to work. Not your fault either. If it was me, I would be patient with them on this. Depending on how big the area you live in is, and how big the dealership is, and how many sales they have all effect their experience/inexperience. It may very well be that the mechanic has never had to activate power seats. You maybe the first person to ask to for that in this dealership. Be patient, understand that learning something takes time, but most of all , remember, you are not the one that pays for his education. With patience you can get a lot more done, and get it done to your satisfaction.

[andice]

Imagine if they had installed the kit and still could not get it to work? The entire job takes far more time than the three hours listed in the book. I felt like I was leaving them with the easy part. I tried to "grease the wheels" by having them install a new windshield, too. I have made an appointment with the next dealership up the road and have a week before the appointment to prep them for what is coming. They may decide to tell me "no thanks".

[Doug_Scott]

I know that the remote start kit is very model specific. You can't just walk up to the parts counter and say you have a 2010 Sierra SL and want a remote start kit. Took my dealer about 20 minutes to figure out which kit fit my truck. They took the VIN, looked up what the truck came equipped with, then had to go through each remote start kit listing to match up requirements to what my truck came with. Would be a hell of a lot easier if GM would just automate or computerize GMAccessories. In 2010 the system was still manual. Would have been very easy for the parts guy to get the wrong one. I took a look at the way each kit was presented, each kit had a mixture of positive and negative logic requirements.

Negative logic questions are the ones everyone asks, and there is no way to answer in the negative. Next time you are at the airport and the girl at the counter asks"someone else didn't pack your bag did they?" think before you answer, and then answer "yes" because yes they didn't pack my bag. Fair warning though, they don't like it when you answer the question they way it was worded.

[mike94silverado]

This is why I don't understand people who buy this stuff online.... Find a dealer who will work with you on price and installation and be done with it. It screws up it's their baby.... I may have paid $50 more for my 2 way remote start but I didn't have to worry about a missing code and when the module died after a month I brought it in and got a new one no bs.... As far as heated seats my check aftermarket ones look factory and work well without programming

 

 

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