Re: 86 CGT Driver side seat heater not working

[quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)]

> In message <9071F49823EDD1119D9F00A0C900D2D6181F7B@mail.triadperform.com> "Englert, Rick" writes:
>
> > How can I fix the drivers side seat heater in my 86 Coupe?  I'm sure this
> > has been asked before, since I found several references to heated seats not
> > working in the archives, but no answers on how to fix them.  I found one
> > post in 1995 where somebody said Glen Powell wrote a lengthy article on how
> > to fix them way before that time.  Any ideas on keywords I should use to
> > find this post in the archives?  Thanks.
>
> I've described this procedure at least twice.   Once was quite recently
> on the alt.autos.audi Usenet newsgroup - a search on Dejanews might turn
> up the piece.

I was on Dejanews myself a few moments ago, so here is the item I posted
on Usenet, HTML tags stripped by a REXX routine:

____________________________________________________________________________

        In article <75titl$82i$1@remarQ.com>®dloves@myhome.net¯ "loves" writes:

> The heated seats have problems. One stays on and the other
> doesn't work at all. I've replaced the switch and relay but what
> else is there that can be done (a sensor?) HELP

The usual reason is a broken wire in an element.  I've done three of
these on my car now (163k miles) and they're fairly easy to do if
you take a bit of care and time.

The elements are wired in series, with a sensor in the bottom one.  I
suspect the control is some sort of Wheatstone bridge circuit.

Anyway - remove the seat and separate the seat and backrest.  On the
non-power seats, the plastic trims that cover the hinges are secured
by plastic plugs that are pushed in flush with the trims.  Push them out
and the trim comes off revealing the clips that hold back and seat
together.  You have to take the connector to pieces, among other things.
Note down carefully where the wires go.

Then remove the seat covers.  You'll need pretty strong side cutters to
deal with the 'hog RINGS' that secure the cover to the steel wires
passed through the cushions.  More of this later.  Clear out all the
fragments.

The replacement element (I think #443 963 555S is used for all Audi
seats) goes inside the cover.  Lay the cover on a flat surface, surface
_DOWNWARDS_ (the microfiche doesn't say this!) and lay the replacement
element on top.  Note that the wires should come towards you - not
towards the seat cover surface.  Otherwise you'll feel the lump when
sitting on the seat.  You can see that you'll have to cut two slits with
a _very_ sharp knife in the cloth backing of the seat cover to thread
each arm of the element through - it comes out the other end and the tab
is folded over.

You actually cut through the cloth backing and the thin foam layer - the
element slides in right behind the old element, which stays in place.
Don't even try and think about removing it.  When you replace the seat
element (as opposed to the backrest element) you still need the sensor
in the old element.  Cut the slits at 45 degrees - otherwise you'll get
a small ridge in the seat when reassembled.

You need two tools for stretching the seat cover back on.  You _can_
use cable ties, but the official way is _much_ better.

a) The Hook.  You find these in blister packs for picking seals (such
   as brake piston seals) out of their hidey holes.  Most such packs
   have at least one strong hook with a plastic handle - sometimes
   they're double-ended.  Or you can make your own out of coat-hanger
   wire.

b) The "HAWG Ring Pliers".  I use Mark-Line 12108 pliers - Snap-On YA808
   is not as expensive as most Snap-On stuff.

You also need a pack of HAWG RINGS - Audi's cheapest spare. N015 261 1
is around $13 for a pack of 100.

Put the cushion on the frame, and start stretching the cover over it.
Remember where you cut off the old HAWG RINGS?  The replacement
procedure is to load a ring into the pliers and hook the top of the
'C' shape into the seat cover wire.  Then get the hook and pick up the
wire embedded in the cushion.  Then LUNGE - pull the seat wire up, at
the same time as pushing down with the pliers, and hook the seat wire
into the bottom of the HAWG ring 'C'.  Then, with a smirk, just squeeze
the pliers shut.  Takes seconds with practice, and produces a really
tight seat.

It's called "The HAWG Ring Lunge".

The rest is straightforward.

--
 Phil Payne
 Phone: 0385 302803   Fax: 01536 723021
 (The contents of this post will _NOT_ appear in the UK Newsletter.)