[s-cars] seat heaters

[Matthew Russell]

Wayne Dohnal and I wrote:

>> Checked voltage with me sitting in the seat, and have 13+ on both
>> terminals 5 and 6. My bum is strangely getting a bit warm though not
>> like I remembered.
>
> If we're using the same numbering system, pins 5 and 6 is the brn/ 
> blu jumper wire between the seat and backrest.  If you're measuring  
> +13 between there and ground (brown wire), that would indicate that  
> the backrest element is out.
>

We are Indeed.  Thanks for chiming in, Wayne... as it's your write-up  
in the archives that has been QUITE helpful!


>> What's wierd is that the volts seem to fluctuate from 13 to 6 and  
>> back
>> again. WTF is up with that?
>
> ~6 volts is normal here because the seat and backrest elements are  
> connected in series.  When it's 13, the backrest element is open.   
> When it's 6, the backrest element is working.  This supports the  
> theory of the element opening up when it gets warm.
>
> But just because I sometimes get things backwards I'd feel better if  
> you somehow confirm that it's the backrest element that's really the  
> bad one. Perhaps you could apply pressure to the backrest while  
> watching the resistance measurement and see it glitch when you push  
> on the right spot. Then follow the wires to see if they go to the  
> seat or backrest, or confirm with the wiring diagrams.

No worries.

***Update***

Confirmed over the last few days with consistent batt+ between either  
pins 5/6 and ground that it is indeed the backrest element.  Pressure  
applied all over the place (my co-workers think i'm nuts!) finally has  
no effect: guess I finally got 'er to break.  Now I'm just trying to  
decide whether to do the butt element at the same time.

FWIW - there's a seat guy who's retired that I know that we regularly  
do business with, who said if I hand him a new element and the seat  
removed from the car, that he'd only charge me 25 bucks.  This is the  
same guy that recovered the seat on my 83 Seca 900 for only 40 bucks.   
I think we may have a winner.  Don't think I can buy hog ring pliers  
and many hours of frustration for that price!

>
>
>> Sometimes I just wish things would break!
>
> Perhaps you'd like to trade cars?  Mine regularly makes this wish  
> come true!

Oh believe me, I've got a list!  Come spring time, I hope to narrow  
down a wierd steering thing I've got going on that only manifests  
itself with the 17's on the car.  Praying the rack is ok.

thanks again for all the help guys!

-Matt, CO
92 s4