seat heater - intermittent

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D

DWSD

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Apr 29, 2009
Threads
9
Messages
121
All,
Seat heaters seem to act up. Lights on the console switches work, but the heater on both passenger and driver's sides seem to work (sometimes) and fail together.

Is there a relay which energizes both? Checked the main relay box in the engine bay, but didn't find a dedicated relay for the seat heaters.

thank you,

Doug
 
Are you sure it's not just that the t-stat is cycling? The cycle off time seems quite long sometimes.
 
hi
thank you for your replies. I'm familiar with the cycling that takes place and wasn't sure if it was thermostatic or a timer.

*This is an independent issue.*

After being parked for 30 minutes tonight, I turned on the car and the seat heater was left in the on position. It didn't warm up. I then hit the button on the passenger side and it did not work, either. I've now realized this has happened off and on. In fact, for a while (a few months), I thought they were both broken and then a day or so ago, I thought they were both fixed.

I removed the switches. They seem like they may be relays themselves, but I couldn't get them to click like a normal relay.

Is there a relay that provides power to both switches?

thank you for your replies.
Doug
 
DWSD said:
hi
thank you for your replies. I'm familiar with the cycling that takes place and wasn't sure if it was thermostatic or a timer.

*This is an independent issue.*

After being parked for 30 minutes tonight, I turned on the car and the seat heater was left in the on position. It didn't warm up. I then hit the button on the passenger side and it did not work, either. I've now realized this has happened off and on. In fact, for a while (a few months), I thought they were both broken and then a day or so ago, I thought they were both fixed.

I removed the switches. They seem like they may be relays themselves, but I couldn't get them to click like a normal relay.

Is there a relay that provides power to both switches?

thank you for your replies.
Doug
Click to expand...

I'm not sure where the relays are, but I'd wager money that the heat current doesn't route through the switch. That said, it's highly likely that an errant latte may have dripped down into one/both of the switches causing the intermittent failure mode. You could always jumper them to verify.
 
i cleaned the switch with an electronic spray cleaner called de-oxit. I've used this with good success.

the issue continues to exist.

BTW - the switch reminds me of a relay, but I never hear it click. It is pretty large, almost like two stacked bosch style automotive relays. the wires coming in and out are probably 18 or 20 gauge, though so it doesn't flow a ton of current. but there are five wires into each switch.

Doug
 
DWSD said:
i cleaned the switch with an electronic spray cleaner called de-oxit. I've used this with good success.

the issue continues to exist.

BTW - the switch reminds me of a relay, but I never hear it click. It is pretty large, almost like two stacked bosch style automotive relays. the wires coming in and out are probably 18 or 20 gauge, though so it doesn't flow a ton of current. but there are five wires into each switch.

Doug
Click to expand...

The five wires are probably for dimmer (dash) light circuit, ground, hot (for the switch light), and then two for the switched circuit.

If you pull the switch and jumper the switched legs does the seat behavior change?
 
You know what, after cleaning and working the connectors a bit more, it worked! I removed the switches, used a good electronics cleaner deoxit - left them out for a few days, rotating them and continuing to apply the cleaner. i think one too many lattes had spilled on them!

Another thing to check would be to switch the switches and see if you can get the one working.
 
DWSD said:
You know what, after cleaning and working the connectors a bit more, it worked! I removed the switches, used a good electronics cleaner deoxit - left them out for a few days, rotating them and continuing to apply the cleaner. i think one too many lattes had spilled on them!

Another thing to check would be to switch the switches and see if you can get the one working.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the updates. They seat heaters are the only part of the 100 that remind me of past Land Rovers I have owned. Completely unpredictable with a mind of their own.

Going to pull them, try electrical cleaner for a few days and see what happens.
 
DuckLN said:
Where are the "switches" that you cleaned that fixed the problem as mine does the same thing.
Click to expand...

I think he refers to the 'Seat Heater Switches', you know the switches the operator uses to turn the seat heat Low-off-high, on the center console.
 
AimCOtaco said:
I think he refers to the 'Seat Heater Switches', you know the switches the operator uses to turn the seat heat Low-off-high, on the center console.
Click to expand...

Yes, the low - high heater seat heater switches is what I cleaned. Apologies if that wasn't obvious.

Doug
 
AimCOtaco said:
I think he refers to the 'Seat Heater Switches', you know the switches the operator uses to turn the seat heat Low-off-high, on the center console.
Click to expand...

You know taco - You are one gifted and talented genius pillar of the LC community. They should give you the gifted person of the "you know" challenge trophy after your dominating performance. Nice job clearing the air of any uncertainty with such special effects.
 
DuckLN said:
You know taco - You are one gifted and talented genius pillar of the LC community. They should give you the gifted person of the "you know" challenge trophy after your dominating performance. Nice job clearing the air of any uncertainty with such special effects.
Click to expand...

WOW - prestigious award.

You're clearly not a mind reader, but out of curiosity, to what switch did you think I was referring? Again, I apologize for being so vague throughout the entire thread.
 
"They seem like they may be relays themselves, but I couldn't get them to click like a normal relay"

I guess this is what got me transmortified.

Carry on
 
DuckLN said:
"They seem like they may be relays themselves, but I couldn't get them to click like a normal relay"

I guess this is what got me transmortified.

Carry on
Click to expand...

If you remove the (seat heater) switches, you'll find they are quite large .... larger than other common automotive switches on their backside. They aren't so different, bigger actually, in size from a Bosch-style relay, which is why I made the comment.

To be frank, your responses had me scratching my head if you were here for assistance or to pick us apart.

Anyhow...hopefully, you are able to solve your problem(s).

Doug
 
Smart ass? Me? Yeah, you got me, sorry.
 
I had the seat heater problem on my '01 LX and solved it in a similar way to DWSD.

Here's what I did:

1.) Pull the center console up by hand; put your hands in the cupholders and pull up
2.) Disconnect the wiring harness from both switches
3.) Push the switches out of the plastic console
4.) Take the switches apart using two small flat head screwdrivers (the kind you'd use on eyeglasses). To do this, first use a flat head to turn the round white plastic light holder. Then remove it...mine was gummed up with old coffee. Then use the flat head to pry the top of the switch off (careful not to break the plastic). Then use the screwdrivers to lift the two tabs near the connector side of the switch...these are a bit tough to pry apart. Pull the circuit board and switch assembly out of the plastic sheath.
5.) Clean all the contacts with circuit board cleaner (to be honest, I just used rubbing alcohol).
6.) Check the plastic white piece where the switch contacts are and clean them up.
7.) Put some lithium grease (there is probably something better you can use for contact grease) on the contacts and put it all back together.
8.) Plug it all in
9.) Great success!

For me, this fixed my passenger seat heater. It used to be intermittent and now it is rad. It also fixed the LED lights on my driver side. I used similar techniques to pull the PWR/2nd switch and clean it up too... careful with that one; its got some tiny springs inside that can be a bit jumpy! That guy works now too :)
 
CanadianRockyCruiser

I followed the directions you listed and had great success. Thank you for taking the time to post the instructions on how to break down these switches. That is some great tech.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD
 
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