Driver side heated seat not working Gen 2

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

OP
OP
B

Bimmer777

Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2019
Posts
35
Reaction score
18
Location
NYC
@NCBen great work so far, proper approach to diagnosing the problem.

This whole saga still blows my mind on lack of available replacement parts, and a permanent fix by Ford, for an increasingly common problem, especially since its been going on for at least 10 years...
 

NCBen

FRF Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2020
Posts
54
Reaction score
16
Location
Holly Ridge Nc
I think its probably a supply chain issue. new ones they probably buy the cushion with everything installed and maybe even the cover on it. but for replacement and warranty work, just the element they probably burned up the stock no pun intended and with covid and finding a new or different vendor to not have the same problem is where they are at. it being such an issue i would bet money a TSB in or out of warranty will happen but those generally take 2-3 years after the large number of failures qualify such a recall. Now they have a gap in overall production due to model year and change/upgrade for the 21-22 model, won't even be the same parts probably. sucks...
 

GCATX

King Dingaling
Joined
Oct 6, 2018
Posts
8,040
Reaction score
21,666
Location
Central Texas
If you drop the J from the end of the part number and search Ebay, there are listings ending with letters that come before J in the alphabet. I am assuming these are earlier versions of the same part. Or maybe that's not how the part #'s work? JL3Z-14D696-J

Maybe @FordTechOne could confirm?

I am also wondering if simply removing the broken element and tracing the break in the element with an ohm meter, then soldering a jumper wire would work?

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=JL3Z-14D696&_sacat=0
 

JefferyGT

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2018
Posts
766
Reaction score
730
Location
Vantucky
Try an aftermarket heating element. Same basic concept.

I installed a set that I picked up on Amazon in my Little British sports car. Only way my wife would go so she keeps warm. Set of two bottoms and backs and switch with relay was less than $30. Works great.

No reason it cannot be spliced onto old factory part.
 

NCBen

FRF Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2020
Posts
54
Reaction score
16
Location
Holly Ridge Nc
Based on looking at photos of actual parts i think the catch is the hole for the AC portion of the seat. I looked at several older models including super dutys for comparability. I actually ordered the element for the back seat. It appears to have 4 conductors, which the front does. I will then disassemble my seat and see what i can see as well as plug it in and see if it gets hot etc. Then maybe mod that element or troubleshoot the original if i can. Outside the element it seems to be just felt material that maybe i can cut to allow air access through it as the back seat doesn't have this option. Going to at least give it a go.
 

NCBen

FRF Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2020
Posts
54
Reaction score
16
Location
Holly Ridge Nc
I found the crux of the problem. Not the same but similar to previous gen fails. This particular element uses a plastic coated thin conductor that snakes through the pad but its not as protected as previous gens with a double layer of the felt material. Previous gen fails were mostly due to a stray metal hog ring working its way in and shorting out the element. That said the fail is poor design, this thin relatively unprotected cable runs right through both j-clips on the front hold down for the cover. An inch or so in either direction and should have been fine. Mine was directly in the 3/16 in clip and in and out of the seat over time cut the copper but left the plastic in tact and was a bitch to actually see it.

Fix was i used the heating element for the back seat. yes its smaller but i already bought it off amazon, like 30$. I had to swap the wiring for the coil and the thermistor or whatever they use as a thermostat. the resistance on both was very close to the dead one but the connector cabling was swapped and connector slightly different. In hind sight i think you could use a larger footprint pad and maybe one with holes cut in as long as the configuration is close to what the trucks controller wants to see. I had to cut little holes in mine to allow the cool air to get past the felt pad. Not perfect but will work hopefully until they have a replacement part for this.

Overall its very easy to do and not really risk damaging anything and i did it in about an hour with the seat in place. Just need to take your time to not tear out the j-clips molded into the foam. It gets pretty hot and is a smaller coil so it doesnt draw as many amps as the passenger side does. i checked it with Forscan. More importantly it allows the back to turn on as well, essentially restored base functionality.

seat1.jpg
 

Wfo

FRF Addict
Joined
Sep 22, 2013
Posts
1,833
Reaction score
1,306
Location
Syracuse
This is a well known problem on Gen 1s with heated seat element going bad. However, i haven't seen the same for Gen 2 written about. For those with Gen 2s, have you had heated seat problem and what was the solution? I dont want to take the seat apart prematurely. Also, doe anyone know which plug under the seat is for heating control? Thanks for the help!

Heated seat lights stay on but no heat, seat cushion or backside
Passenger heated seat works
Heated steering works, not that its related.
Cooling also seems to work
I’m having same issue with my 18
 

NCBen

FRF Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2020
Posts
54
Reaction score
16
Location
Holly Ridge Nc
You could maybe solder it? The stands for the copper are soooooo thin. Might burn/melt them in the process. I tried a typical crimp and had continuity but was skeptical as it could build up excessive heat and cause further issues so I just replaced the whole thing. The rear pad in its place works fine and has holes for the air but it’s not pretty. Gets the job done but until there is a proper replacement part I will use this. I’m also looking into a replacement cushion with the element built in? It seems to be a part on some Ford websites but it’s almost 400$ and not sure on actual in “stock” or availability.
 
Top