Problems with Heated seats

[sidwelle]

I have an '04 SportTrac with heated seats w/switch on the outside of the seat.

1.) Switch is in the worst position possible, often during the summer time you enable the seat heater just by entering the truck. Don't realize it until several minutes later when its tool late. Your butt is sweating the doesn’t stop just because you turn it off. How hard would it be to relocate these switches to the console or dash somewhere ?

2.) I wonder is the control module can malfunction ? I have people that ride with me often and clam that lower seat heater is just slightly on. Sometimes people in the back-right seat claim they can feel heat coming from under the seat on there feet ?

Thanks

 

[dabonz1963]

Butt Warmer!

I have an '04 SportTrac with heated seats w/switch on the outside of the seat.

1.) Switch is in the worst position possible, often during the summer time you enable the seat heater just by entering the truck. Don't realize it until several minutes later when its tool late. Your butt is sweating the doesn’t stop just because you turn it off. How hard would it be to relocate these switches to the console or dash somewhere ?

2.) I wonder is the control module can malfunction ? I have people that ride with me often and clam that lower seat heater is just slightly on. Sometimes people in the back-right seat claim they can feel heat coming from under the seat on there feet ?

Thanks

Did you ever get a response on this issue? I have the same problem with always engaging the heater when I'm getting in my 04. Just curious if anyone had and suggestions.

 

[sidwelle]

No reply

No, not from this site.

I did get a reply from another site, that I paid $15 for an answer. Even though I did not get a simple solution, I did get some feedback from a technician who had some experience with explorers.

If you want to read it or some more info, let me know.

Sid.

 

[dabonz1963]

Seat Heater

No, not from this site.

I did get a reply from another site, that I paid $15 for an answer. Even though I did not get a simple solution, I did get some feedback from a technician who had some experience with explorers.

If you want to read it or some more info, let me know.

Sid.

If it involves moving or disabling the system I really don't want to
go that direction. I'm trying to come up with some type of cover
that I could put over it so it won't engage.

 

[sidwelle]

Yes, I agree the switches are in a very poor place. I was hoping that Ford would recall the design and provide a solution.

I was working on moving the switch to the dashboard or console. One summer I just pulled the switch and unplugged them for the hot months.

If all you want to do if keep it from engaging, why can't you just make a shim from cardboard that slips down behind the exposed edges of the switch and prevents it from being depressed?

Sid.

 

[dabonz1963]

Seat Warmer

Yes, I agree the switches are in a very poor place. I was hoping that Ford would recall the design and provide a solution.

I was working on moving the switch to the dashboard or console. One summer I just pulled the switch and unplugged them for the hot months.

If all you want to do if keep it from engaging, why can't you just make a shim from cardboard that slips down behind the exposed edges of the switch and prevents it from being depressed?

Sid.

I'm trying to come up with some idea of cover that can be put over it but still
able to access when I want to engage it. I'm just not sure what that is yet. Of course now the weather has turned cold so I'm not worried about it right now. Thanks for the tip though.
Donna

 

[dvo310]

I have the same problem and just come up with an idea for you, How about buying something like "U" shaped like what is used to hold a piece of pipe or wire against a wall. Put the "U" on its side. You would have to improvise a way to attach it (maybe with a couple small "L" brackets but it would protect the sides of the button but would still allow you to reach down beside the seat and hit the top of the button with your finger.

 

[02V8Limited]

I'm looking to tap into the wires, to relocate the switches to my center console. On my 2002 Limited, it's just a pain to turn them on. Do you guys know if the switch is a momentary type, or a toggle?
Thanks.

 

[STrac4me]

I am not familiar with the set up, but if a single fuse runs the heated seats you can work with this. You can leave the switch in the on position or even remove it all together, and add a contol switch wherever you wish to locate it. You could use a SPST switch to supply power between the control and fuse......just an idea.

 

[dvo310]

that is an awesome idea adding a switch like that. I'd like to put one in the center console not only for my seat but the passenger seat as well. i find that my passenger (usually my fiancee) leaves the seat on when there is no one there to enjoy it. you could connect the wires in the existing switch making a complete circuit and add a toggle switch to turn the seats on or off. the hardest part would just be hiding the wires.

 

[plance1]

You have seat heaters? What a wimp...

 

[ncranchero]

you have seat heaters? What a wimp...

lol ! !

 

[plance1]

Heck, my sport trak is one of the first vehicles I ever owned where the heater itself worked!

 

[02V8Limited]

Well, I had a nice, sunny day, so I decided to tackle the situation. I pulled out my seats, to figure out how the switch worked. Checked the continuity, and it's just a momentary switch, that basically allows the current to flow for the moment you have it pressed in, and I had two like that already, that I could use. So after a little fightng with the rails, I pulled the harness plug out from behind the switch, and used blade-type wire connectors, to just slide into the harness plug for both my new wires. I ran my wires under the sides of the center console, and soldered them to my switches. They work just like the factory ones on the seat, and since I didn't cut any wires, I can change it all back to stock if I ever want to.
The longest time it took me, was figuring out how the switch worked, since it was all trial and error. Once I had it figured out, it only took me about 15 minutes to get the wires plugged in, tucked under the seat, and the seat back in. Now my seat switches are in a super convenient location for both me, and my passenger!

 

[STrac4me]

Good deal.....I am glad that worked out for you. I don't have heated seats, but if someone else needs the break down of the switch you could post it on the sticky section for modifications info. I would have guessed it was a momentary switch; they must use some type of latch to hold the circuit until you break it with the off section of the switch. Nice Mod!