Mk4 Heated Seats not working

[wolfsburg]

So, this week I began to notice that my ars wasnt getting warm so I believe that my heated seats are pooched, Is this an easy fix ?

[vdubvento]

Easy fix, depending on what's pooched.

[wolfsburg]

ya you can turn the dial up to 5 and the seats are not getting warm although at the beginning of the week I almost burnt my left side of my leg, thats how hot it got just at number 3

[KtownDub]

Maybe the switch is going ? Does it work somtimes ?
Could be the heater element in the seat base.

There is a resistance check you can do on the Harness for the heater.. can't recall the values right now... which doesn't really help you much lol.

[EMSbyDay]

pretty sure there was a recall at soem point for MkIV seats. I know they fixed mine.

[Raz]

ya you can turn the dial up to 5 and the seats are not getting warm although at the beginning of the week I almost burnt my left side of my leg, thats how hot it got just at number 3

That's exactly what happened to me, the almost burning my left leg. Sounds like your element is done. You're lucky, many people get holes burned right through their seats when this happens.

I never used mine again after mine started doing it 3 years ago. My car was out of the recall range for this so I either have to deal with it myself or just concede I won't have arsewarmers on my side.

[Duncan]

How can yours be failing already when the 20 year old element on my coupe is still running like a charm?

Typically the failure is a switch/connection problem, but it sounds like the MKIVs have some sort of systemic problem with the element?

[spettaa]

mkiv had element problems....they burn out and burn you....and its hot. i also have no driver side asstoaster...it sucks

seems like its a "wolfsburg edition" problem more then any other that i know of....

[Raz]

How can yours be failing already when the 20 year old element on my coupe is still running like a charm?

I'm sure it has something to do with me weighing 230lbs and smothering it every time I sit.

That doesn't explain it happening to Matt though, he's a beanpole.

Just kidding Matt.

[bigcol]

I just started having this exact issue also. Seems like its only affecting the driverside right now ,passanger side is still fine. I am guessing that the element is most likely worning out. Its definately not under warranty, so I guess I will have to also forget abour arse warmers this winter.

Ahh Crap....

[wolfsburg]

I'm sure it has something to do with me weighing 230lbs and smothering it every time I sit.

That doesn't explain it happening to Matt though, he's a beanpole.

Just kidding Matt.

^^wow haha, LOL no worries mang, Passenger side works but I will not be able to live through the winter without my ars warm. I usually depend on the heated seats more so than the cabin heater.

[wolfsburg]

$1200 to get er fixed.

[Ricas]

$1200 to get er fixed.

So I take it your ass is going to be cold this winter

[LuiTuga]

$1200 to get er fixed.

For that price you're better off buying a set of used seats and doing a seat cover swap and install the seat. I've seen them for sale as low as $200 for complete set of seats.

Good luck Matt.

[spettaa]

$1200 to get er fixed.

did you ask to buy a compolete interior???

fuck that ...my interior swap only cost $265

[CaptainSlow]

Here's a few ideas.

1. Check the fuse (if one exists)
2. Check-Replace switch from wreckers
3. Check resistance as Ktown said

[LuiTuga]

Here's a few ideas.

1. Check the fuse (if one exists)
2. Check-Replace switch from wreckers
3. Check resistance as Ktown said

All valid points but I hate to tell you that it will be useless in this case... Matt has the very common heated seat "meltdown" and he might as well go straight to the heater element.

Matt, if you do want to rule out the switch all you have to do is removed the right side switch ant try it out, it won't fit in place but the plug and pin assignment is the same and you'll be able to test it that way.

[DrZEUS]

classic MKIV heater seat element.

mine went out (driver's side) a while ago and had the heater element replaced under warranty...sure enough a couple years later that burnt my ass off and burnt out as well...now I have no heated seat either...definitely the heater element...and from my understanding the part is discontinued by VW!! Only way to get your hands on one is from a junkyard....speaking of which...who works at one again?

[Raz]

I'm so used to not having heat anymore that I'm ready to swap them out for GLI Recaros!

[wolfsburg]

I'm so used to not having heat anymore that I'm ready to swap them out for GLI Recaros!

I like that idea, thanks guys for all the input.
Sounds like if I get this fixed it may happen again?

[Duncan]

Wait...the part in question has been discontinued? What was the quote for then? R&D on a new heating element?

[LuiTuga]

The part is superseded by a new part number... they still make the heater elements for the "city" Jettas and Golfs.

[Duncan]

The part is superseded by a new part number... they still make the heater elements for the "city" Jettas and Golfs.

Is the new part more reliable?

[LuiTuga]

It hasn't been around long enough to come up with any conclusions.
The problem is a shot in the dark, my car has 144K and I use my seats all the time without a problem, and like me there are others out there the same way... and then you have guys that theirs failed as low as 30K.

[spettaa]

if memory serves me correctly...the element in the WOLFSBURG interior is different then the fat bavarian seats the city's have!!

[LuiTuga]

You could be right Paul, I thought the bolsters were the only difference and they are on the sides of the element.

[spettaa]

when i swapped mine out...i had to remove an airbag to put in the wolfie seats...heater element is "stitched in" on the normal seat but is like MKii and older for the wolfies

[markchouinard]

My passenger seat recently stopped heating. To troubleshoot, I swapped switches, and it turned out to be a malfunctioning switch. I am going to try to repair the switch, with the help of a multimeter, but have priced a new switch ($55.00CAD) in case I can't get the old switch operating again. If anyone has knowledge of the "refurbish", I'd like to hear your input.

[wolfsburg]

^^ interesting, My mom had a brilliant idea this morning, she says why dont you just switch seats, because the passenger seat heater still works.

[Ricas]

Wouldn't all the knobs and stuff be the wrong way then?