Stupid Questions from a new 2000 owner

[jpcjpc]

Hi folks,
I've got a few stupid questions I'm sure are easy for vets. Maybe someone can help?
-The heated seats switch is a rocker. The light goes on either way, but it seems that the illumination bar (although it only lights on one side) is longer on one direction than on the other. Is this a low/high setting or is it the same either way?

Also I believe I've got about 3 different options for defrosting buttons: one is the mirrors (switch on the drivers side door), the second looks like it's got the rear windshield wiper along with the defroster in the icon and is next to the foglight switch to the left of the steering wheel, and the third is next to the air recirculate button on the main dash under the fan switch (just a standard defrost symbol there). I'm wondering about the difference between the last two is?

Thanks for any tips there!
-pat

[subiesailor]

Burnt out bulb in the switch ignore it or if your feeling rich have it replaced.

Defrost for mirrors yes you covered that

Defrost for rear window yes you covered that

And front window HVAC defrost setting for the heater/ front window vents.

[Euchre]

Originally Posted by jpcjpc

The heated seats switch is a rocker. The light goes on either way, but it seems that the illumination bar (although it only lights on one side) is longer on one direction than on the other. Is this a low/high setting or is it the same either way?

Correct, the seat has a high and low setting. As noted, one of the bulbs is burnt out. You can replace or with a great deal of work, repair the switch for full illumination. Function does not depend on the light working.

Also I believe I've got about 3 different options for defrosting buttons: one is the mirrors (switch on the drivers side door), the second looks like it's got the rear windshield wiper along with the defroster in the icon and is next to the foglight switch to the left of the steering wheel, and the third is next to the air recirculate button on the main dash under the fan switch (just a standard defrost symbol there). I'm wondering about the difference between the last two is?

On door switch is mirror heaters, correct. The switch by the fog light switch is the wiper heaters. The switch between the AC and recirc buttons is the rear window defroster. (Sorry subiesailor, you missed on that one.)

[1 Lucky Texan]

my 03 only has a single light for both positions of the seat heater.

[RedGeminiPA]

Originally Posted by 1 Lucky Texan

my 03 only has a single light for both positions of the seat heater.

Same for my '01 VDC... It's on or off. Nothing different for either high or low.

[cmill1154]

Originally Posted by 1 Lucky Texan

my 03 only has a single light for both positions of the seat heater.

I would have thought this changed when they added the two-cup center console. Is yours an early or late build '03? My girlfriends '04 has two bulbs per switch, one for high and one for low.

2nd what Euchre said by the way.

[1 Lucky Texan]

Originally Posted by cmill1154

I would have thought this changed when they added the two-cup center console. Is yours an early or late build '03? My girlfriends '04 has two bulbs per switch, one for high and one for low.

2nd what Euchre said by the way.

I'd have to look on the door card I guess.

It does have 2 cup holders between the switches and the armrest.

[jp1203]

Originally Posted by cmill1154

I would have thought this changed when they added the two-cup center console. Is yours an early or late build '03? My girlfriends '04 has two bulbs per switch, one for high and one for low.

2nd what Euchre said by the way.

That's weird. I'm almost positive my '04 just has one bulb other than the backlight. I think the switches are identical to the ones in my mother's '01 (which just has the one cupholder in the center). I'll have to double check.

Edit: I see exactly what 1 Lucky Texan does: Just one light that shows up for both high and low. My '04 was built in October of '03.

[boxterfan67]

My H6 wagon has the same rocker switches. Forward is high, rearward is low. Not worth replacing the bulb as the light itself is dim anyway. Mine is a 02 so it isn't too different, I wouldn't think.

[1 Lucky Texan]

many times I've thought about adding a master cut-off for those switches. They accidentally get hit and it's not pleasant when the seats heat up on a Texas summer day. I think her and her mom's or friend's purses and sometimes reaching for/placing packages in the pass seat leads to them being hit. Still, very nice on those 20-something degree mornings. Kinda wish I had the feature in my WRX, my baby sits outside and it can be chilly for 1/3 the drive to work.