Heated Seat Turns On and Then Off: What To Do
Seat heaters are like a blessing, especially in winter. A heated seat provides ideal comfort and luxury to the vehicle’s driver and passenger. But, sometimes, it turns on and off, causing optimum consumer discomfort, especially in trucks like Peterbilt 378 and 379. So, why does the heated seat turn on and off? What’re the solutions to this problem?
Damaged metal strips, misplaced thermistors, defective heating elements, physically damaged fuse, voltage regulator problems, and delayed response from the memory seat control unit for heated seating issues. You can either fix the parts of the heater or replace the whole heater unit to improve the complex heated seat problem.
It’s elementary to determine the heated seat situation before you try to fix it. That’s because other car parts might be damaged, causing problems with the seat heater parts.
What Are The Reasons Behind A Problematic Heated Seat?
You’ll find numerous reasons behind a problematic heated seat. Of course, many reasons vary depending on the car’s make, model, and brand.
But some common excuses like bad ground symptoms or Uconnect issues are responsible for this heated seat issue in most cars. Here are a few of them.
Free Metal Strip Joints
Fuses in the engine’s black box have two joints. It causes problems when the joints are free or the metal lines have decayed.
Misplaced Thermistor
The thermistor maintains the seat’s temperature. You’ll find it under the seat cover. Sometimes it’s detached from the right spot. Consequently, the seat stays underheated.
Damaged Heating Element
Heating elements are the core part of the heater. Unfortunately, these essential parts get damaged due to the rough use of the seat. But its performance decreases with time.
Broken Fuse
A broken fuse issue and a fuse metal strip issue are entirely different. The fuse structure gets physically broken due to misplacement. It happens during rough driving or in an accident.
Delayed Response
The memory control unit is responsible for faster response from the heater resulting in turning off the heater. There Are two buttons for the seat heater. The heater won’t work if none of those function correctly.
Simple Steps To Identify A Troubling Heated Seated
It’s pretty standard that you’ve identified the reason behind the heated seat issue but failed to diagnose it. You can DIY the troubleshooting of a defective heated seat. Before analyzing, we recommend you carefully go through your vehicle’s manual.
Step 01: Sit On The Seat
First, sit in the driving seat for a couple of minutes. Then, check if it’s warming up or not.
Step 02: Look For Defective Fuse
Now, use a flashlight to check if the fuses are damaged. Look at the owner’s manual to find the fuse. Push the seat heater button repeatedly to confirm the case.
Step 03: Find Short Circuits
Short circuits generally occur when the power connections are loose or damaged. Only follow this step after you’ve checked the fuse box.
Step 04: Turn On The Seat Heater Switch
The seat heater switch is often detached from the heater, causing less heat generation. So, check the loosened switch connection. Pressing the button back a few times might temporarily fix the issue.
Guideline For Fixing A Defective Heated Seat
There are two ways to fix the heated seat issue. Firstly, you can set the parts, and secondly, replace that particular seat’s heating element. Following an expert mechanic’s advice while installing a new chair is better.
Don’t worry! We’ll explain both of these methods to clear your doubts.
Method 01: Fixing The Problematic Seat
If you want to solve the issue by fixing the parts, that might be cheap yet durable. Here’re the parts you should repair or change to resolve the heated seat issues.
Replacing The Damaged Fuse Strip Issue
The fuse metal strips are skinny and easily broken, which is tough to fix. So, you can replace it with a new one to avoid the complex procedure. Plus, they’re cheap, and you can replace these fuses by following the owner’s manual.
Scanning The Memory Seat Control
To fix the memory seat control, you should scan it before resolving it. This method should do the work for a malfunctioned memory seat control.
- Push the seat forward to find the connectors.
- Check the electrical links through the carpet.
- Turn off the links for a few moments.
- Turn on the connection after 5 minutes.
Method 02: Installing A New Heating Element
Sometimes, there’s a problem with the heating element even after fixing the fuse, and memory control doesn’t solve this issue. You’ll need an electric tester and general hand tools to replace the damaged heating element, but you don’t need any type of jack to solve this heating issue.
Follow this stepwise guide to install a new heating element after you’ve collected the essential tools.
Step 01: Using The Electric Tester
First, use the electric tester to find the heating element’s damaged zone. Then, please put it on every part of the heating element to ensure the issue.
Step 02: Remove Wires
After you’ve confirmed the heating element’s problems, remove the seat wires except for the connectors. You can use tapes to identify the connector path.
Step 03: Detach The Seat
Take out the seat using the hand tools. It would be best if you asked for a helping hand since it’s possible to damage the seat while detaching.
Step 04: Seat Dismantling
First, take out the back and base of the seat. Next, go for the seat’s cushion and leather to detach it from the baseline.
Step 05: Install New Element
Attach new wirings and heating elements carefully. Follow the manual to find the exact spot of these parts.
Step 06: Put The Seat Back
Now, make the seat again following the reverse method you broke it. After assembling all the parts, fix the wirings. Finally, install it on the same seat’s spot.
Cost Of Fixing A Disturbing Heated Seat
You can either change the heated seat or replace the defective parts affecting the seat’s performance—the replacement cost changes with the vehicle’s make, model, year, and brand.
According to the car’s model, the average fixing cost is around $500 to $700. At the same time, a new seat can cost you from $650 to $2400.
In addition, you must pay $150 to $300 as a labor charge, depending on the expert’s experience. It takes approximately 1 to 2 hours to replace the seat heater.
If the vehicle’s seat heater switch is responsible for this problem, it’ll cost you $15 to $85 to install a new one. Placing a new thermistor is expensive. A new thermistor costs 100 to 245 bucks.
Additional Parts Cost
Parts like heating elements, resistors, and foam backing get damaged with time. A brand-new resistor’s price ranges between $20 to $65. Meanwhile, the heating element’s price depends on its maker. So the price varies from $50 to $350.
DIY Cost
If you’re a veteran driver and know which part affects the seat’s temperatures, fixing or replacing the elements will save you a chunk of money. You must spend 6 to 15 bucks to replace the damaged fuse with a new one.
Final Words
A heated seat is a fantastic feature of any vehicle. It can last up to 30 years. But fixing it can help its lifespan. You should read your car’s manual before setting the damaged heated seat.
Hopefully, the discussion on the heated seat turns on and then off has delivered the exact answer to your questions. Next, collect the essential tools to install a new seat.
Also, remember to use better-quality heating elements having a longer lifespan. Finally, contact a widespread repair shop emergency to fix the heated seat issue quickly.
