Heated seats - cold bottoms

[Semblance]

Both passenger and driver seat will heat up nicely on the backrest portion, but not the bottoms. I've swapped in another set of seats and same deal, though I don't know if those seats worked before. Is it common for the bottoms to stop working after a while, or should I start looking for a problem in the harness?

[6670charger]

I was, and maybe am having the same problem. I recently discovered some white connectors under both of the seats that were unplugged, and plugged them back in. Problem right now is that short of testing the plugs, it's warm outside so I can't tell if the seat warmers are actually working or if the seats are just warm due to the temp.

Having said that, the weak point in any electrical system is the connectors. Plugs push out, get corroded, or connectors aren't clipped properly. If you've checked all that, I've read elsewhere that the wires for the warmer pads are very thin, and sometimes these wires break under the seat fabric.

[Semblance]

That makes sense. I'm hoping to have time to disassemble one seat this weekend. And I'll check for continuity at the heat pad, and voltage at the harness side, while I'm at it. Thanks!

[cory58]

Problem right now is that short of testing the plugs, it's warm outside so I can't tell if the seat warmers are actually working or if the seats are just warm due to the temp.

Unlike heated seats on newer cars, which I'm sure are regulated by some govt nanny, you should have no problem determining if E30 seat heaters work in the summer. Just don't test them after the car's been parked in the sun. Even in the summer, they will get good and toasty after a while.

[Semblance]

The problem is definitely in my heating pads. No continuity. I was swapping upholstery today, and swapping the heating pads in the seats looks like a major pain, so I'll live without them. It's Cali. Oh and found the PO had spliced the connection to the working seat-back heater by just twisting the wires and using electrical tape. Lazy SOB.