qballwill

I have a 2011 FX2. My warranty expired about 700 miles ago and now I am having a heated seat issue. I have found others with the same issue, but havent read a solution. My heater on the passenger seat works fine, but the drivers side does not heat up at all. I checked the voltage on both seats and the passenger seat goes from 0 volts when the button is off and 29ish when it is on. On the other hand, the drivers seat is pretty much a constant 13.5 even when the button is off. I am checking the voltage where the wires connect to the elements. I am guessing it is a problem with the power switch itself but I am having a heck of a time taking the radio trim off because it is tucked behind the silver trim on either side of it, which is tucked behind my center console etc. Any suggestions/advice?

CorvetteDreamin

29 volts in a seat heater? That seems odd to me.

My understanding of such devices is they're essentially big resistors. They take regular ol' voltage (12-14) and run through a wire loop that creates resistance (and subsequently, heat).

It would be very interesting to see how you can get more than 12 volts out of a 12 volt input circuit though...

qballwill

Well Im definitely not an electrician, so I could be completely wrong. I guess my point is the current is fluctuating on the seat that works properly when the switch is on/off but the broken seat has a lower but steady current regardless of switch position.

CorvetteDreamin

Current would be measured in amps. You can't tell that just from the voltage.

Did you try just putting an ohmmeter on it (measure the resistance). My guess is you have an open circuit on the seat heater itself and it simply needs to be replaced.

kjo43

You should be able to hear the relay in the passenger footwell fusebox when you press the button. If you can, no need to look at the switch itself.