Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Heated Seats Relay

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 9, 2010 | 11:20 AM
  #1  
D2Gags6.0's Avatar
D2Gags6.0
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Heated Seats Relay

I know this isn't a diesel question but its driving crazy. My heated seats in my truck hav'nt worked since I bought it. Lights come on on the switch but no heat. I just discovered a relay under the drivers seat. It clicks when you turn the ignition on, but when you hit the button theres no click. I'm thinking it should click with the button, not sure though. Has anyone else had this problem or can anyone else check theres for me? I know the relay has something to do with the heated seats because when I remove it the lights on the switch dont work.
 
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2010 | 12:25 PM
  #2  
dchamberlain's Avatar
dchamberlain
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
Club FTE Silver Member

What year is your truck? These are the wiring diagrams for a 2004. They are likely mostly the same for a 1999-2007. The fuse numbers might be different.

It appears from the diagram, that the seat heater relay activates when the key is turned on. The switches then direct power to each sides seat heaters. So, other than them not warming up, what you are describing appears to be normal.

You might check the connectors to make sure everything is making good contact. That is about the only suggestion I can come up with.
 
Attached Images   
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2010 | 12:45 PM
  #3  
D2Gags6.0's Avatar
D2Gags6.0
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Thank You, I couldnt find a diagram anywhere, it is a 2004 so its perfect. I'll have to check connections and trace wires back to make sure theres no damage to them. Hopefully I get this resolved.
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2010 | 09:16 AM
  #4  
IT_Dude's Avatar
IT_Dude
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: PA
Let me know what you find. I have a 2005 with the exact same thing going on. I can press the button and the light comes on, but no heat. Passenger side works fine. With winter coming up, this would be a nice thing to have.

I'll check my wires as well.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2010 | 10:41 AM
  #5  
1957F100's Avatar
1957F100
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 620
Likes: 0
From: Langley, BC, Canada
If anybody finds anything let me know. I have a 05 and the button on the drivers seat lights up but no heat. The passenger side seat works fine. I started to look at it one day but theres a lot of wires and plugs under the drivers seat so I stopped....but I would really like to get it working again.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2010 | 10:53 AM
  #6  
dchamberlain's Avatar
dchamberlain
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
Club FTE Silver Member

You all might want to check the continuity of the seat heater elements. I have no idea really but I could see where those elements might break after being moved around from people getting in and out over the years.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2010 | 11:01 AM
  #7  
m-chan68's Avatar
m-chan68
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,505
Likes: 256
From: Woodbridge, Ontario, CA
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by dchamberlain
You all might want to check the continuity of the seat heater elements. I have no idea really but I could see where those elements might break after being moved around from people getting in and out over the years.
Brilliant observation sir!!! Gentlemen, if you look closely at the wiring diagram, you will see that the seat heater grids are wired up in series, which means if any part of the circuit is open, the entire loop quits working completely. If I recall correctly, the seat heater grids are not a cheap item, which is why few bother to spend the money to repair.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2010 | 01:17 PM
  #8  
1957F100's Avatar
1957F100
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 620
Likes: 0
From: Langley, BC, Canada
Originally Posted by m-chan68
Brilliant observation sir!!! Gentlemen, if you look closely at the wiring diagram, you will see that the seat heater grids are wired up in series, which means if any part of the circuit is open, the entire loop quits working completely. If I recall correctly, the seat heater grids are not a cheap item, which is why few bother to spend the money to repair.
I read on powerstroke.org about the heating elements breaking being a common problem. Others said you can see a burnt area where the element broke. Figuring this was my problem I took the seat out and pulled back the leather only to see no obvious areas where a broken wire would be. So I grabbed my multimeter and checked continuity and I do have conituinty through the heater so I think I have a different problem.

I also priced out the heater grid. I figured if it was cheap iwould buy one and hope it solve the problem but if I remember correctly they were about $150 where I live.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Oct 11, 2010 | 01:51 PM
  #9  
m-chan68's Avatar
m-chan68
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,505
Likes: 256
From: Woodbridge, Ontario, CA
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by 1957F100
I figured if it was cheap iwould buy one and hope it solve the problem but if I remember correctly they were about $150 where I live.
That's actually not a bad price. I've priced out Lincoln Navigator ones at over $450 a piece if I recall correctly.
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2010 | 08:24 PM
  #10  
D2Gags6.0's Avatar
D2Gags6.0
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
I have heard other guys talk about a broken heater element in the seat and I have tried to check before. I was a little scared to pull the leather off the seat at first. The last time I tried it I did notice a burn mark on the passenger side. The wire wasnt broken though, it just had a slight kink in it. I cut and resoldered the wires together. The seat works great now. I checked the drivers side and found the same thing further back in the seat. I'm sure lovin having the heat back on. So I geuss if the lights working on the button then you def have juice to the elements. I'm guessing my dogs nails might of broke the wires or maybe just wear and tear. The wires are very small (maybe 26awg) and are not easy to strip. I'm an electrician and I had a hard time not cutting the wire completely, although I didnt have the right size wire strippers either.
 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 01:10 PM
  #11  
IT_Dude's Avatar
IT_Dude
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: PA
D2Gags6.0, can you post a picture of what you're talking about? I do a whole lot better if I have a picture to go by. Any help is appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 01:43 PM
  #12  
TexasA&M's Avatar
TexasA&M
Elder User
15 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 685
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth, TX
I've got the same issue... driver's seat stopped working this year, but passenger works fine. The light comes on, but no heat. I don't even know how to begin taking the seat apart, so any pictures would be a big help!
 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 06:02 PM
  #13  
D2Gags6.0's Avatar
D2Gags6.0
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Never took any photos, but if you go under the front of the seat you can pull a plastic flap down thats hooked around a piece of metal. From there just keep peeling it back, there are metal o rngs you can seperate and unhook with a pair of needlnose pliers. Its not all that difficult just a pain in the ***.
 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 06:07 PM
  #14  
gearloose1's Avatar
gearloose1
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
Heated seats?

What about hand warmers on the steering wheel?

Or foot warming pads?
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2011 | 09:10 PM
  #15  
IT_Dude's Avatar
IT_Dude
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: PA
So what am I looking for once I'm in there? Maybe I'll just dive in and put pics up of my own progress.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:38 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE