heated seats no longer heated

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mjt

mjt

mjt

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seems that my bum warmer has packed up

it's been perfect (well, not quite up to BMW standards, but i digress..) for over a year, but i've had it on pretty much daily on of the lowest settings as it's been chilly
however, it started playing up last week, coming on only now and again, and only on various positions..

i think it's completely buggered now, or it's very weak indeed.
i presume it's only mine, but i haven't tested the passenger side yet, haven't had the time.

i mentioned this to the dealer last week when it was in for something minor, and he said it's most likely the heating element.
what's the easiest way to test whether it's the switch or the element, and how easy is it to replace the heating element if that is knackered?

cheers
 
I'd just start by replacing the switch - you could fiddle with a multimeter to diagnose it but for the few quid a new switch would cost, that would be the easiest diagnostic IMO
 
Easiest to check all connectors, then get a quick diag at a dealer to tell you whats wrong?
 
mjt said:
seems that my bum warmer has packed up

it's been perfect (well, not quite up to BMW standards, but i digress..) for over a year, but i've had it on pretty much daily on of the lowest settings as it's been chilly
however, it started playing up last week, coming on only now and again, and only on various positions..

i think it's completely buggered now, or it's very weak indeed.
i presume it's only mine, but i haven't tested the passenger side yet, haven't had the time.

i mentioned this to the dealer last week when it was in for something minor, and he said it's most likely the heating element.
what's the easiest way to test whether it's the switch or the element, and how easy is it to replace the heating element if that is knackered?

cheers
Click to expand...

9/10 times it's the element and 9/10 times its the drivers seat that fails first.

Does the switch illuminate when you switch the heating on? Some of them have a led to let you know they are activated.?

If it's lighting up to show they are on then it is the element that has failed..
 
on the leon they're always lit up as it's part of the centre console
as you just scroll it along to the desired setting

the fact the dealer said straight away it's the element and not the switches, etc means he's probably correct.
i'll have a faff about under the seat to look for any loose cables, etc and then i'll just take it in for a diag. the elements are around £50, so not the end of the world

it's just weird that it was being temperamental. i'd have thought if the element packs up, it just stops working completely rather than intermittently
 
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Have you knelt on the seat at all? I know on SLK/SLs if you kneel on the chair (to clean back screen or something) it can kill the heating element.
 
Sukh said:
Have you knelt on the seat at all? I know on SLK/SLs if you kneel on the chair (to clean back screen or something) it can kill the heating element.
Click to expand...
actually yes, because a frenchman was incapable of parking between the lines and i had to do some gymanstics to get into the car
but it was already failing before then :p
 
mjt said:
on the leon they're always lit up as it's part of the centre console
as you just scroll it along to the desired setting

the fact the dealer said straight away it's the element and not the switches, etc means he's probably correct.
i'll have a faff about under the seat to look for any loose cables, etc and then i'll just take it in for a diag. the elements are around £50, so not the end of the world

it's just weird that it was being temperamental. i'd have thought if the element packs up, it just stops working completely rather than intermittently
Click to expand...

No, they can work/not work for a while before they finally chuck it.. If you get a chance to see the element you will understand why they fail :-)

Yours are the thermostatic ones that are fitted at the factory. Some of the dealers were fitting retrofit ones which only had a 2 position setting. They lit up to show that the element was active.
 
Gav said:
No, they can work/not work for a while before they finally chuck it.. If you get a chance to see the element you will understand why they fail :-)

Yours are the thermostatic ones that are fitted at the factory. Some of the dealers were fitting retrofit ones which only had a 2 position setting. They lit up to show that the element was active.
Click to expand...

surely this depends on the car?

and yes, they look like this ;)
963100.png
 
mjt said:
surely this depends on the car?

and yes, they look like this ;)
963100.png
Click to expand...

even that pic makes them look more substantial than they really are :D

No, it doesnt really matter what car it was. Most of the VAG/ BMW/ Merc dealers were using the same kit's but they came with custom switches to make them look more "factory"

I fitted quite a few of them over the years but the name of the manufacturer escapes me.
 
ah, retro-fits perhaps
BMW > VAG any day though, BMW seats can fry eggs

perhaps if the element's gone, it'd explain why it would feel like i **** myself on high settings recently?
i haven't used them since the spring, but even so i never remembered it being so uncomfortable..
 
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