relay for heated seats? 2003 h6

[plain OM]

cougar70

Thanks for clarifying the 07 operation. I guess with someone sitting in the seat, there's not much surface area to lose the heat once things warm up, and the cycling thermostats are needed to prevent over-heating.

I'll have to pay more attention to it the next time I use the heater.

[lockmedic]

They cycle. They've got thermostats all the way back to '96 at least.

The circuit is pretty simple so if you've got power to the switch but no heat you might have bad elements. They don't last forever.

Best to test them on HI as the butt/back heating elements are wired in parallel in that mode so if one is open the other will still heat up. In LO they're wired in series so it's like old christmas lights without shunts. . . if one is bad the whole string goes dark (per seat that is. . . a faulty driver's seat heater will not affect the passenger's heater and vice-versa).

Pretty easy to find a faulty heater with a VOM. Not particularly fun to replace one as the seat has to come out and upholstery has to come off. . . hog rings are involved. I find it not unusual to have a car of that vintage with 2 or 3 bad heating elements. . . bought a 98 a while back that only had 1 of 4 good.

[RedGeminiPA]

So, the weird hot/cold cycles are normal? Just to make sure, high is when the switch is down, correct? It seems mine act the same, as well as heat output, no matter which way I have the switch. Either position seems to result in the occasional HOT output.

[mchance1984]

my main reason for opening this thread was to fix my driver and passanger heated seats. after replacing the fuses and replacing the burnt out switches I did get the passangers side seat to work in both hi and low positions! unfortunatly it seems that im only 1 for 2. the heating element in my drivers side seat is non functional. I confirmed this by testing the battery and ground under the seat. thank you all for the input in helping me get to this conclusion. I may end up ordering new heating elements for both seats and have them reupolstered in a higher quality but same color leather if i can get it done for the right price. if not ill just tear down my drivers seat and follow a diy for replacing the elements. looks like a real pita to take apart and put back together, but if it works my ars wont be in such pain afterwords.

[cardoc]

Its really not that difficult to replace the element. 4 bolts and a couple plugs, take the seat in the house or garage and put it up on a table where its easy to work with and go at it.

Having the leather redone, it won't match. Impossible. The remainder of the seats are already worn a different shade since the dye faded, or oil has stained it. It will be close, but more likely a lighter color than the remainder.

Good luck.

[RedGeminiPA]

You might be able to repair the element. I had to repair the one in my Saturn Vue. They're notorious for a wire breaking not far from where it connects to the main wires coming into the cushion. Peel back the leather cover, and you'll most likely find where the wire's broke. Clean it and solder back on to the wire. The repair held up on my Vue for nearly a year until I sold it.

[plain OM]

There's a seat heater replacement DIY for a 2005 over on the legacygt.com forum. The 05 has four levels of heat selection, and perhaps different wiring connections underneath, but the parts related to the upholstery might be the same. It's at: HOW TO: Fix your heated seat - Subaru Legacy Forums