- No Heated Seats: The most obvious sign is that your heated seats aren't working at all. Neither the seat back nor the seat cushion gets warm.
- Intermittent Heating: The seats might work sometimes, but not others. This can be a sign of a failing module.
- One Seat Works, the Other Doesn't: If only one seat is heating, the problem could be the module, or it could be a problem with the heating element in the seat itself.
- Heated Seat Stays On: The seat continues to heat even after you turn it off. This is a dangerous situation and needs immediate attention.
Testing the Heated Seat Control Module:
- Check the fuses related to the heated seats. A blown fuse is a common cause of heated seat failure.
- Use a multimeter to check for power and ground at the module connector. If there's no power or ground, the problem is likely in the wiring.
- Use a scan tool to check for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) related to the heated seat system.
- If power and ground are present, and there are no relevant DTCs, the module itself is likely the problem.
Common Failure Causes:
- Electrical Overload: Excessive current draw can damage the module's internal components.
- Water Damage: Moisture can corrode the module's circuitry.
- Vibration: Constant vibration can weaken solder joints and other connections.
- Age: Like any electronic component, the module can simply wear out over time.