Re: Seat heater console backlights

[Elliott Potter <epotter@abraxis.com>]

>
>I think this one is simple. Just looking for confirmation.
>
>On my '94 90CS Quattro, equipped with heated seats, there are two controls
>on the center console, one for each seat.  The seat w/ wavy lines symbol on
>the console (over each control wheel) is backlit.
>
>Currently, with the car running (but the headlights OFF), the driver side
>seat heater symbol's backlight is (unexpectedly) ON (i.e. it appears
>backlit) and the passenger side symbol's backlight is OFF. I would expect
>both to be off when the headlights are off.
>
>With the headlights on, the backlighting is unchanged. That is, the
>driver's side heated seat control symbol is backlit and the passenger side
>symbol is not.
>
>No other console or dash lights appear to be malfunctioning.
>
>Would I be correct in assuming that the bulb in the passenger side control
>is burned out? Or is it the whole switch?  Is the driver side light on as
>an indicator that the passenger side switch or bulb is broken? Or is that
>an indicator of something worse?
>
>I have no means of testing the bulb or switch (I'm not really a do it
>myself kind of guy). But maybe this is something I could do myself. How
>hard is it to remove those switches?

My car doesn't have heated seats :( but I'll give it a shot.  Is the
switch for the heated seats the same size and shape as the button for
the hazard lights?  (of course with a big wheel in the middle)
If so, to take off the cover of the switch, get some masking tape and
mask off the trim just above the switch (to protect it), then pry the
top of the button *gently* out with a flat-head screwdriver while
pushing the bottom of the switch *in* with your finger.  It should pop
off.  Then you should be able to inspect the bulb (note there are two
kinds of bulbs in these switches; some can be replaced and some
theoretically can't).

>Thanks in advance.
>
>- -Mark
>
>P.P.S. On a slightly unrelated note... Given that I'm not really into
>fixing cars myself, but would be willing to try simple stuff (e.g. switches
>and that sort of thing), would havnig the Bently manuals for the car be
>enough to do small stuff correctly and with confidence? I've never seen a
>Bently manual (for anything) but from what I read here, it sounds like they
>contain not only schematics for the car but also removal and replacement
>instructions for everything. Is that correct? (So, assuming that's true, if
>I had the Bently manual for my car, it'd be easy to see how easy or
>difficult getting at the seat heater switches would be, right?)  Thanks!

Bentley doesn't make manuals for your car.  There are two
possibilities--the AllData CD has Technical Service Bulletins (TSB's),
Recall notices, some wiring diagrams, and illustrated instructions on
some procedures.  In general it's got low-quality pictures that were
obviously scanned in from factory manuals, and the text is sparse and
sometimes confusing.  The upshot is that it costs about $35 or so and
you get a lot for that money.
The other option is to get the Audi Authorized Service Manuals from Audi
of America.  The full set costs over $100.

Good luck!

Elliott