129 seat heating stopped working - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SteveA · #1 12-29-2005, 10:38 PM

Typical, the temperature here has dropped to -5 and the heating of the drivers seat base has stoppped working although the seat back is still getting warm.
The car is a 1998 SL320 - can anyone give me some ideas what to look for before I have to head to the dealers and spend a fortune getting them to fix it instead.
Steve

leejxxxxx · #2 12-30-2005, 11:23 AM

Hi, I know how great those heated seats are to have working.

The seat cushion is held in by two 10mm bolts (I think) that are parallel with the floor at the fron of the seat. If you remove the bolts, the seat cushion comes out by lifting up and forward. Be carefull as it will still be attached via the wires to the heater.

Follow the wires and disconnect them. Then use a voltmeter and see if power is coming out of the connector on the floor. If it is, shift your attention to the seat cushion. Using an ohmeter, check for continuity on the seat cushion heater. I don't know what the exact resistance is but it is probably less than 5,000 ohms if not a lot less. If it is open, say a meg ohm or greater, it's either a bad heater or maybe one of the wires are broken. If you aren't getting any power to the connector, you might need a new heater switch. Do the lights light up on the switch when you turn it on?

Good luck.

SteveA · #3 01-01-2006, 10:18 AM

Many thanks for the instructions - they were spot on.

I've power to the connector but the heater element resistance is showing 5.9Mohms.

I take it that this shows the heater element is shot!

Any idea how this can be changed or will it need a new seat base?

leejxxxxx · #4 01-03-2006, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveA

Many thanks for the instructions - they were spot on.

I've power to the connector but the heater element resistance is showing 5.9Mohms.

I take it that this shows the heater element is shot!

Any idea how this can be changed or will it need a new seat base?

I'm pretty sure the element is not replacable by mortal man. If you can find a matching seat cushion at a salvage yard, you should be in luck. If the element is available from the dealer, you might be able to find an upholstery shop to swap it out.
Good luck.

lynns · #5 09-04-2007, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leejxxxxx

Hi, I know how great those heated seats are to have working.

The seat cushion is held in by two 10mm bolts (I think) that are parallel with the floor at the fron of the seat. If you remove the bolts, the seat cushion comes out by lifting up and forward. Be carefull as it will still be attached via the wires to the heater.

Follow the wires and disconnect them. Then use a voltmeter and see if power is coming out of the connector on the floor.

Good luck.

After I remove the two 10 mm screws how do I disconnect the wire to the heated seat? When I follow it back it goes into a hole but I can't find a place to disconnect it.