Heated Seat Cushion Failures

[Shinobi'sZ]

My heated seats have quit working. Toyota says I need new seat cushions with the fan in them ($790 per seat..parts only)...Gold Extra Warranty will not cover...anybody else experience this?
Thanks

[inov8]

It's not clear in you post if just one heater has failed (there are 2 in each front seat - bottom and backrest), or all 4. If the latter, it is unlikely that all of them would fail simultaneously. I would tend to suspect the center console temperature control instead.

[Shinobi'sZ]

Originally Posted by inov8

It's not clear in you post if just one heater has failed (there are 2 in each front seat - bottom and backrest), or all 4. If the latter, it is unlikely that all of them would fail simultaneously. I would tend to suspect the center console temperature control instead.

Sorry should have specified, the bottom seat heaters are getting power but are not blowing or warming that great anymore. The driver's side barely works and the passenger side isn't much better. Both seat backs work fine on hot and cold. So I do not believe it is the console selector. It has something to do with the seat bottom/cushions according to Toyota Service Dept. But they want $790 per seat (parts only) and then whatever the labor is to install to fix both of the seat bottoms. I am looking for other options.
Thanks.

[inov8]

You might have 2 different problems, because the fans are not required for heating (the heater grids are located just under the outer cover). Models without cooled seats have the same seat heater circuit. I don't thinbk the fan runs when heat is selected, but I could be wrong about that. I have never noticed any airflow with the knob set to heat (red region of the control).

I wonder if you have been using a thick leather conditioner/dressing that has blocked most of the seat cushion ventilation holes and is acting as a thermal insulator between you and the heater. That could explain why the fan seems weak or not working along with a diminshment of heat. I have never heard of seat heaters that failed gradually; they typically stop working all at once.

List price for the heater assemblies is $378 (~$287 mail order), and $170 for the fan (~$130 mail order). Eveidently they are planning to replace something else besides those 2 items if they quoted $790 for parts.

I would be tempted to have aftermarket heaters installed at an automotive upholstery shop . . . for a lot less $$. They have the tools and experience to do it faster (lower labor cost) than a dealer technician, who is more accustomed to engine and chassis work.

The back rest and bottom cushion heaters are wired in parallel, so I agree with your assessment that the controller is probably OK.

[Shinobi'sZ]

Originally Posted by inov8

You might have 2 different problems, because the fans are not required for heating (the heater grids are located just under the outer cover). Models without cooled seats have the same seat heater circuit. I don't thinbk the fan runs when heat is selected, but I could be wrong about that. I have never noticed any airflow with the knob set to heat (red region of the control).

I wonder if you have been using a thick leather conditioner/dressing that has blocked most of the seat cushion ventilation holes and is acting as a thermal insulator between you and the heater. That could explain why the fan seems weak or not working along with a diminshment of heat. I have never heard of seat heaters that failed gradually; they typically stop working all at once.

List price for the heater assemblies is $378 (~$287 mail order), and $170 for the fan (~$130 mail order). Eveidently they are planning to replace something else besides those 2 items if they quoted $790 for parts.

I would be tempted to have aftermarket heaters installed at an automotive upholstery shop . . . for a lot less $$. They have the tools and experience to do it faster (lower labor cost) than a dealer technician, who is more accustomed to engine and chassis work.

The back rest and bottom cushion heaters are wired in parallel, so I agree with your assessment that the controller is probably OK.

You may be on to something. Both seats got a lot of water on them at one point..but the heaters were still working as well as the AC. I am wondering if the cushions gradually compressed due to being wet and blocked the heaters on the bottom.

I am mechanically inclined and have a shop with a lift. But the reason I bought a Toyota is so that I don't have to work on it. LOL.

How hard is it to access the seat cushions? Do I have to remove the seats and/or can I slip out the element or cushion? Is it something that is going to require a complete seat removal and upholstery change? I am thinking the cushion might just be compressed like your example of using too much leather conditioner and clogging the pours so to speak.

Thanks

[inov8]

If you log into the Private Message system on this site. We can comminicate offline to arrange a file transfer. I have the factory (MY2005) seat disassembly instructions in PDF format, so you will be able to judge for youeself. You won't need a lift, but you will need a nice table to dissamble the seat once it is removed (4 bolts and several connectors).

[Shinobi'sZ]

Originally Posted by inov8

If you log into the Private Message system on this site. We can comminicate offline to arrange a file transfer. I have the factory (MY2005) seat disassembly instructions in PDF format, so you will be able to judge for youeself. You won't need a lift, but you will need a nice table to dissamble the seat once it is removed (4 bolts and several connectors).

OK sent you a PM. Thanks for your help.