Drivers side heated seat not working

[LithiumCobalt]

Does anyone know if the driver's side heated seat runs on a separate circuit than the passenger side? My passenger side seat gets so hot that it roasts, drive side is dead. I envision that the heating wiring is probably just broke in the seat. Thanks

[no0c]

Does anyone know if the driver's side heated seat runs on a separate circuit than the passenger side? My passenger side seat gets so hot that it roasts, drive side is dead. I envision that the heating wiring is probably just broke in the seat. Thanks

Power is supplied to both switches via Fuse 1 (15A) in instrument panel fuse panel.

Power is supplied to both seat heater modules via Fuse S (30A) in the Engine Compartment Fuse Box.

Wiring diagrams attached.

Hard to say without some good ole fashioned troubleshooting. I would start at the input of the switch and see if there is B+ there, then the output side of the switch, then the inputs of the modules and then the outputs of the modules. See where you lose B+.

Good Luck

[LithiumCobalt]

Tanx.

[Matthew]

I envision that the heating wiring is probably just broke in the seat.

This is definitely the most likely thing. Mine has been broken since around 160,000 miles...a few years now.

[LithiumCobalt]

My 96 only has about 87k on it, but I guess it is 12 years worth of rear-ends sitting on the seat too....

[vamel]

My 96 only has about 87k on it, but I guess it is 12 years worth of rear-ends sitting on the seat too....

so how have you fixed it anyways, or is it actually fixable or not? mine has the same problem, only the driver's seat doesn't get heated...

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

I believe he did, but he doesn't have the car anymore.

[vamel]

I believe he did, but he doesn't have the car anymore.

hmmm... any ideas how to fix it ?

[Matthew]

There have been one or two who have fixed it, but that was back a few years ago when the heating element was still available as a separate part from the leather. I believe it was either 2001 or 2002 cars that had a separate heating element, but it was plug and play. All other years before and since, to my knowledge, require you to buy a whole new seat leather to get the heater back functioning. That's not something you're going to find for a '96 at this point.

[vamel]

There have been one or two who have fixed it, but that was back a few years ago when the heating element was still available as a separate part from the leather. I believe it was either 2001 or 2002 cars that had a separate heating element, but it was plug and play. All other years before and since, to my knowledge, require you to buy a whole new seat leather to get the heater back functioning. That's not something you're going to find for a '96 at this point.

I see, thanks for the info Mat...

[LithiumCobalt]

Sorry didn't get back to you sooner. I sold the car before I got around to fixing it. My guess is that you could probably find an aftermarket solution and wire that into the factory controller. All seat heating systems work on the same basic principles. If I were you, I would find an aftermarket seat heating replacement element and wire it in. More than likely, the wires have broken inside the original element from getting and out thousands of times.

[Dereck]

Hi Vamel

I just replaced the seat heater in my Excursion it came as a complete seat cushion for nearly $300


http://www.superstitiongold.com/lincoln/ExcursionSeatHeater/Excursion%20Seat%20Heater%20006.jpg

I am not sure you could wire an aftermarket seat heater into the OEM controller as there is a thermostat in the OEM heater element and my geuss would be if the controller doens't "see" this thermostat it will not work, you would also probably have to match the resistance of the aftermarker seat heater element with the OEM one.

Regards

Dereck

[LithiumCobalt]

Hi Vamel

I am not sure you could wire an aftermarket seat heater into the OEM controller as there is a thermostat in the OEM heater element and my geuss would be if the controller doens't "see" this thermostat it will not work, you would also probably have to match the resistance of the aftermarker seat heater element with the OEM one.

Regards

Dereck

Well, sure, I never said that it would be easy ;)