Re: Seat heater elements

[Brett Dikeman <brett@pdikeman.ne.mediaone.net>]

>Minor chores #17: The passenger seat heater doesn't work.
>
>True.  The lower element has gone open circuit - the seatback element
>is fine, as is the thermostat in the lower element.
>
>So - given that (thank to the list) I'm expert at the "hawg ring lunge"
>- how do I tackle this?  I can get the seat to bits easily enough - are
>the elements repairable in list experience, or should I order a new one
>before I start the teardown?
According to the 200 Bently, which has a _very_ thorough dissertation on
this, the old pad should NOT(and cannot) be removed.  Rather, one slips the
new pad under or over, depending upon your orientation, the old one.  The
pads are not repairable at all, and given that they're heating elements, I
personally wouldn't try.
  We used to have fun experiences in our very old 5k with the seat heaters.
I think it was a 1985 "vintage"; no power seats if I remember(I was, being
10-12 at the time, extremely amused with the '87 5kCST's power seats when
it was delivered by the dealer.)  In the old car, the heated seats would
randomly turn themselves on, much to the chagrin of the driver in the
summer.  I once had to unplug the element...  The CC head would also
sometimes do exactly the _opposite_ of what it should do; we'd get heat in
the summer time and A/C in the winter.  Not very amusing.

I could probably photocopy or scan the pages, or I'm sure someone over near
you has a 200 manual(Roger?) that you could borrow; that might be easier.
If you'd like, I'll look up the section/page numbers.  Let me know.  They
even had instructions for sport seats; apparently they heat the side
bolsters thingies too; they have seperate pads.  More things to break :)

Let me know how it goes; I have the same problem, but on the more
important(driver) side :)

I'll have to whip out the multimeter and do some testing; I can hear the
relay working and everything, just no heat...

Brett

PS:"Real Men" re-use the hog rings.  Either that or "Dumb Men." :)  I
didn't even know one could order them until your experience; I re-used them
after washing the back seat cushon because I didn't think I could get
replacements.

PPS:Need any chain mail?  I have a friend who amuses himself by _making_
chain mail from scratch.  He carries a set of pliers and a spool of wire
with him practically everywhere.  Needs a better hobby, methinks.  I could
set him to work making upholstery rings... :)

------
Brett Dikeman
brett@pdikeman.ne.mediaone.net
~)-|
Hostes alienigeni me abduxerunt.  Qui annus est?
Te audire non possum.  Musa sapientum fixa est in aure.
Ita, scio hunc 'sig file' veterem fieri.
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