Heated Seats Fan Stops No Heat, Cool Works

[WilfJ]

I took my 2014 Ford Explorer Sport into the Ford Dealership this week and they cant figure the following issue out.

The Heated Seats stopped working the other day (both driver and passenger), you can hear the Fan turn on and then it stops, the fan works 100% when you switch to cool the seats. So the seats cool , but the heat does not for the seats as the fan starts up and then stops.

Anyone have this issue, they ran a diagnostic test and fuses all fine, but they are stumped.

Said they would have to take the seats apart and that sounded pricey.

 

[Odrapnew]

You sure fan is stopping or just a slow speed?
With mine, when I turn on seat heat on max, I can hear the fan kick on to high for about a second before settling to a low speed (not audible from driver's seat).
Been that way since new.
Seats still get hot.

 

[SuperGreg]

Mine is same, fan starts/stops when turning the heat on. Then I hear the fan intermittently. Seat really doesn't get very hot, sometimes it's better than other days. Probably the worst heated seat in any car I've had.

 

[wbdonnie]

I have the same EXACT problem with my 2013 Explorer!
Ever find out a fix??

 

[peterk9]

I have the same EXACT problem with my 2013 Explorer!
Ever find out a fix??

Welcome to the 5th gen Forum.
The 2 members with the issue were last active here in 2019 so I doubt they are still around.
I would guess that if the fan runs okay for the cooling part but not for the heating part perhaps you have an issue with the heating pad.
Is it the same for the passenger seat or is it working as it should?

Peter

 

[ericsauvage08]

Reviving this thread, I have a similar issue - 2104 Limited. Driver's side only is very weak, lukewarm at best. The touch button on the screen shows on and on 'high', the fuse under the hood is good, I hear the fan working - seems to go from high to lower speeds intermittently, cooled seat works but doesn't seem all that powerful (or exceptionally cold) either. Jiggled all the connectors and they seem to be seated. Seat is clean, but admittedly, many of the tiny perforations in the leather look blocked or obstructed with dust or fuzz.

Anyone have any ideas?

I am also finding some conflicting information as to how the heated seats work in the Limited (heated pad vs heating element in the blower under the seat). Can someone chime in with quick how it works as well? Are there any inexpensive components to change out to possibly improve the performance? I can swap out parts, but am no good with a multi-meter.

Thanks!

 

[peterk9]

Reviving this thread, I have a similar issue - 2104 Limited. Driver's side only is very weak, lukewarm at best. The touch button on the screen shows on and on 'high', the fuse under the hood is good, I hear the fan working - seems to go from high to lower speeds intermittently, cooled seat works but doesn't seem all that powerful (or exceptionally cold) either. Jiggled all the connectors and they seem to be seated. Seat is clean, but admittedly, many of the tiny perforations in the leather look blocked or obstructed with dust or fuzz.

Anyone have any ideas?

I am also finding some conflicting information as to how the heated seats work in the Limited (heated pad vs heating element in the blower under the seat). Can someone chime in with quick how it works as well? Are there any inexpensive components to change out to possibly improve the performance? I can swap out parts, but am no good with a multi-meter.

Thanks!

As far as I know, the heating is just from the pad, not the blower. The blower is the same item that blows the heated and cooled air from the cabin.

Peter

 

[javaleo]

If you have heated and cooled seats then there is NO pad, only a blower. If you have ONLY heated seats then its a pad.
Check out this thread. It has details from the Ford Service Manual

Seat heater issue.

From the Ford Service Manual

www.explorerforum.com

 

[peterk9]

Heated seats must have a heating element in the cushion for the seats to warm up. Mine warms up both the seat cushion and the backrest.

Peter

 

[javaleo]

Peterk9, Not if you have BOTH heated and Cooled seats.

Read:
Since you have both heated and cooled seats. You do NOT have a heating element in the seat cushions. You have a blower motor in each seat.

From the FORD service Manual:


Climate Controlled Seat Operation

The driver and passenger climate controlled seat buttons are selected from the FCIMB (Front Controls Interface Module "B") and FDIM (touchscreen). The climate controlled seat system functions independently from the vehicle's climate control system.

The seat cushion and backrest are each equipped with a blower motor assembly. As cabin air is drawn through each blower motor, a Thermo-Electric Device (TED) heats or cools the air, which is then directed into the foam pad where it is distributed along the surface of the cushion and backrest of the seat. Once the system is activated, the SCME uses a set of flexible algorithms to control the heating/cooling modes and the blower speed dependant on the commanded climate controlled seat settings.

The SCME monitors seat cushion and backrest temperatures while it supplies voltage and ground to both blower motors. The SCME also supplies a variable voltage signal to control the blower speed. Cabin air enters the blower through an integrated filter attached to the blower motor housing. Heated or cooled air exits the blower motor and flows through the foam pad.

Climate Controlled Seat Heating Characteristics

In heat mode, the blower motor can add up to 40–60° C (72–108° F) to the ambient inlet air temperature.

The system control settings are indicated next to each climate controlled seat heat switch button on the touchscreen. The first setting is HIGH (3 indicators), the second setting is MED (2 indicators) and the third is LOW (1 indicator) then OFF (no indicators).

When heating, the SCME varies the speed of the blower motors and the duty cycle of the integral Thermo-Electric Device (TED) in order to reach and maintain the desired temperature determined by the system control settings.

Climate Controlled Seat Cooling Characteristics

In cool mode, the blower motors can remove up to 8° C (14° F) from the ambient air temperature entering the system.

The system control settings are based on the 3 indicators next to each climate controlled seat cool switch button on the touchscreen. The first setting is HIGH (3 indicators), the second setting is MED (2 indicators) and the third is LOW (1 indicator) then OFF (no indicators).

When cooling, the SCME maintains a constant blower motor speed and a constant Thermo-Electric Device (TED) supply voltage (duty cycle is determined by the switch setting) in COOL mode.