Heated Seat Element Replacement?

nhproxr · April 11, 2005

I posted about this sometime ago but never acted on fixing it. GM dealer said it is my element that needs replacing not the switch. Problem is they claim it will cost $1030 for an aftermarket (non-GM) element. Somebody out there must know of better prices to do this job. I just need the element I can replace it myself.

HELP!!!!

Yukon04 · April 12, 2005

$1000. Whoa. I could probably send you an element for that vehicle. I have a couple of them for a 99'. Problem is I don't know if the elements changed from 98-99. You would have to measure some things and feedback the data to me before I could know if it will work.

I am wondering if the dealer diagnosed it correctly. Did they say of it was the cushion or back element that went bad? Is your system single-mode or dual-mode? Meaning can you turn just the back element on? Does your bolsters heat up? I need to know what seat (driver/passenger) and I can tell you exactly what terminals to check for the process below..

Measure the resistance of the heater pads connected together. I'm pretty sure they are carbon fiber elements. The only way to do this is measure the voltage going to the seat during operation and then measure the current through the system during operation. You cannot measure the resistance in a traditional sense with carbon fiber pads (i.e. directly using an ohmmeter at the connector). Sorry...gotta do it the hard way and back calculate the resistance. Use V=IR.

You might also have a problem with the trim. I am not sure, but I know some of those years used hog-rings in the trenches. You will need a hog-ring tool.

BTW - I work for the seat supplier and have many "seat electrical" items laying around. Just so you know, this is legit...if everything works out we can talk about shipping/compensation/etc...I'll help if I can.

nhproxr · April 13, 2005

Well they said it is so expensive cause they claim you can't just buy the element for this truck anymore you have to buy the whole seat cushion/element combined, plus they quoted the labor as well in that price.

Anyways I think '99 should be the same. Its a single mode and its the drivers side. Bolsters do not heat up as well. Stealership said both elements were bad, thought they were separate and usually don't both go at once.

Yukon04 any info you can give to testthings would be great. Just post here or PM me. I really appreciate it. I also need a lower seat cover in blue if you have one of those kicking around.

snoman · April 13, 2005

Well they said it is so expensive cause they claim you can't just buy the element for this truck anymore you have to buy the whole seat cushion/element combined, plus they quoted the labor as well in that price.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What a rip off. They just do not want to sell just the element as there is more profit in the whole seat whether it is a a GM or dealer directive. There is no excuse for that at all.

nhproxr · April 13, 2005

Yeah its just like the d**n fuel pump/sending unit module. Why can't I just buy them separately d**n it!!!! All in the name of making more money I would think.

There must be an aftermarket company making replacement heating elements for these seats though.

Yukon04 · April 13, 2005

I think the dealer is telling the truth. I called the heated seat supplier and they no longer producing those particular pads. The pad itself is sewn into the seat trim. Hence the riduculous cost. I also talked it over with engineering and we believe (98 was a long time ago) that the heater mat actually has the plus pad built into it, so servicing your system with what is know as "peel & stick" would also be detrimental to performance. In that case, you could remove the trim, cut the pigtail off the heater pad, leave it there and place an adhesive type of heater pad directly on the foam. This would not work because you'd have so much material between you and the heater pad, that heat performance would suck.

Anyway, just to check if the dealer is diagnosing your problem correctly try this:

You mentioned that the system is single mode, meaning that you can only operate the entire seat, cushion & back together. This is relatively simple to test. Look under your seat and locate the connection to the heater pad. There should be 4-way connector with 4 wires in it, 2 small gauge (22Ga) and 2 larger wires (approximately 18Ga). Probe the two 18ga wires with an ohmmeter and measure the resistance. Should be around 4-8 ohms...even if it is slightly off, continuity is the important part. If no continuity, then the resistance wire in one of the heater pads is broken.

To locate which heater pad (cushion or back) is broken, you need to check the back pad separately. The cushion and back pads connect via a 2-way connection. Find this one, should lead up near the back of the seat. Check resistance, shoudl be around 4 ohms, but again just continuity is the important part.

Once the defective pad is located, remove the trim on the seat. This may not be an easy task as it may be hogringed in the trenches. A hogring tool is necessary and you may as well go to a trim shop for assistance. Unless you have one . You can actually repair the resistance wire by soldering it back together and re-enforcing it with some heat shrink or equivalent. This obviously requires you to CAREFULLY cut into the plus pad of the trim and remove the heater pad. Do not ruin the plus pad. Make a slice like a capital "I" so that you can duct tape it back together. Find the break in the heater wire, copper/nickel type material and solder it back together.

This all assumes that your heater module is still good...but that's another story. Sorry for the book I wrote, but I feel bad. The pads I said may work for you will not. The 99's changed significantly. Good luck and let me know if you have questions...