crj36

Mine died a week ago. After trying to figure out what the problem could be, i realized its a pretty common issue. I went and fixed mine today, after reading a bunch of info here and there. I know there are posts with info on this already, but i thought id try and combine as much of that into one post to help anyone else.


I have a 2011 FX4 with heated seats. Those with heat AND cool, there are other remedies for that. For mine, and i believe alot of others, its the heating element.


My seat would get so hot, it would burn. This lasted a month or so, and then it stopped warming up altogether, although the light stayed on. I did the obvious and cheap checks first. Fuses and connections.


If you have gotten to this point, and it still doesnt work, you need:


Ford part # 9L3Z 14D696 C (double check your year and part with vendor)
it was $18 at my dealership


You will also need
ratchet
impact gun or drill with socket adapter helps alot
7mm socket
8mm socket
15mm socket
T20 bit
T50 bit
small tie wraps
snips
flat head screw driver
maybe something else, i cant remember, but these were the main tools.


I also did not disconnect the battery. You need to move the seat around during this.




If you can do basic fixes and you have a super crew, this can take you 1/2 hour or so to get the seat out. Super crew helps out with room to work and getting the seat out a little. Element swap another 1/2 hour. Reinstall seat 10 mins. It took me a little longer because i was following a video and pics etc. I could this again in under an hour.


I had to buy the mm sockets and torx head bits, so this cost me about $40 total. Pretty sure it would be way more to pay dealer to fix.


To take the seat out, watch this video:


To install heating element, go to this link, see post 64 for pics. This link is for installing aftermarket heating element, but the pics and instructions are basically the same. Only difference is you only have to rip out the old element and replace it with the new one. No cutting, fitting etc. Its a good source to skim through too
https://www.f150forum.com/f38/afterm...144743/index7/


Lastly i added a few pics of my rip out. Notice the plastic sleeve that the hog rings are clamped on that you need to cut that later you tie wrap. I clipped that plastic sleeve where it contacts the crossover portion of the heating element. My feeling is that this sleeve is crushing the wire, causing the breakage and burning. Now i dont know for sure, but ive heard also that there is another issue with a part that regulates the temp going to the element that is bad. I dont know about that, but i went ahead and did it this way, based on my gut. This is shown in the last pic or two i posted



















































Hopefully this helps someone out. I would rate this as a 2/10 in difficulty. The video helped alot. I am not a mechanic, just a DIYer that likes to learn.

BobbyC

iTrader: (1)

Mine wasn't quite as burnt as yours but it was in the same place. It burnt out in the late winter/early spring so I ordered the heating element but it was too cold outside so I thought I'd wait but it got hot really fast (wth?!?!?!) so I decided to wait until fall when it cooled down. Last week it was in the 90's and then dropped to the 50's in 2 days. Today it was 66°F so I thought it was good enough weather to tackle this project.

The video was great help. I watched it this past spring and again just before doing it. If your seat is down and back, you can access the seat belt bolt (T50) w/o taking the 7mm cover screw off. When you stick the element on the foam, make sure you leave a LOT of room for the connections between the elements in the back and front to sit down in the foam valleys. You don't want them to stretch out when you sit on it.

I followed your suggestion and cut those sections on the pipe going across the front so it doesn't pinch the wires of the heating element (last pic).

Thanks for the write-up and pics!!!

Toddman38

iTrader: (5)

Im always surprised to see car manufacturers using those metal hogrings. Imo, theyre just asking for trouble....

I used the zip ties, when installing my aftermarket heated seat inserts in my xlt!

sunnydude

Quick question as it appears I have to attempt this on my drivers side. Is the back a completely separate piece?

pfbz

Bump for the best thread I've found on the busted seat heater issue....

I'm another victim of a failed heater and an extended warranty that won't cover repair, so it looks like I'll just buy the part and do it myself or have a local trim shop install it.

Has anyone needed to replace the other heating element in the seat, 9L3Z-14D696-A (the element that goes on the back, vertical part of the seat), or just the bottom element, 9L3Z-14D696-C?

BobbyC

iTrader: (1)

My dealer wanted >$500 to repair it. It cost me under $20 and about an hour to do. It's not that hard (easier than it looks in the video). You unhook the front and sides of the seat leather and leave the back alone. This gives you enough room to replace the heating element and saves you a ton of time.

I don't think there would be issues with the seat back heating element because there's not enough pressure to pinch any wires.

My heated seats have been working great since the replacement.

homeskizzle

Did you actually remove the seat or just unhook the leather with the seat still attached to the truck?

BobbyC

iTrader: (1)

I took the seat out. It takes about 10 mins max.

homeskizzle

Thanks for the write up. Took me a grand total of 1:45 due to some seriously stuck seat bolts. Other than that, things went like clock work. Spent $25 for the replacement heater. Dealer wanted 350. Other shops around town wanted a minimum of $200.

PitCritter

Both sides quit working for me on my '11 FX2. The light on the switch does stay on though. I'll go ahead and try the element replacement. Thanks for the detailed write-up.

Stock, the driver's side has heated seat and lower back. Passenger side is seat only.

Can I add the lower back on that side too?