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[Shelby]

This is probably a fairly easy thing to check (or maybe not, who knows haha).

Basically, I am after things to check / ways to check if the heated seats are working.  Having never had heated seats before I don't know how much of a difference in temperature to expect, is it easily noticeable to the touch, how quickly do they heat up etc.?

On mine, the switches appear to work, they light up etc. when toggled on, however I can't feel any noticeable difference in temperature, so they may not be working correctly.

Have checked the obvious and fuses etc seem OK.  Any info / advice / tips would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Shimmy]

Likely to be the heating element that is gone.

The heated seats in mine build up to temperature in a few mins, the difference is very noticeable.  At it's highest (5) it's like rubbing deep heat into your back!

[Shelby]

Thanks, should of mentioned that mine is a mini facelift, only has on/off option .. non of that variable control fancy shinanigans haha.

Ill have a look over it tomorrow and double check both seats to see if there is a noticeable difference in temperature.

Can the elements be replaced?

[amba]

If you seats are leather,most likely the elements in the seat pads have broken and gone"open-circuit".

They can be repaired with a section of suitable wire being resoldered but very time consumming as seat needs dismantling...less hassle with cloth though.

It is possible to remove the back of the seat and get access to the connections for the back and base ,that way you can atleast establish with a circuit tester which pad is faulty and then go from there.

Others with more knowledge of the elctrical testing will be able to advise better.

If they work on a Mini Facelift you should feel heat within about 2-3 mins if leather and bit quicker if fabric.
The fact the switch lights up and the fuse is intact normally points to the elements.

[Shelby]

Thanks again.  Mine are leather, ill have a good look around and test a few bits today.  I have a voltmeter so was going to check the wiring to see if I am actually getting power along the circuit.

[amba]

If they are leather you will be able to remove the plastic back section of the seat,couple of self tappers at the base.

When removed you will be able to see the connecter that links the base element and the back...the pads are wired so that if the base fails the back will also not work.

Get a multimeter on the individual pad wiring and see if it is showing a complete circuit.The base is the usual element to go caused by kneeling or little feet standing on the seat in a previous ownership.

Leather can be removed and replaced but as the pad is sewn into the leather you will need to fit a new heater pad underneath,unless you are highly skilled and can unstitch the old one.As said before the broken section of wire can be "bridged"with a soldered in peice.

[Shelby]

Well, took the back off the drivers seat and the only cable / connector I could see was about half way up the seat, on the left side as you look at it (from the back seat), I assume this is the connector you meant.

I did a continuity check on that connector with it unplugged and the result showed a circuit on one side of the connection but nothing on the other, so assume you are correct.

Havent checked passenger side yet as the connector isn't in the same place.  I think it is down the left side of the passenger seat (as you sit in that seat) but suspecting to see the same results.

[I_want_an_Omega]

Hi Shelby,

Do you have black leather? If so then you may be in luck as a) I'm also Lincoln (ish) and b) have stripped down and repaired a number of mini-facelift heated seats.

It can be done but is very very time consuming. However, I have some spares! 

Cheers - Rob

[Shelby]

Hi Shelby,

Do you have black leather? If so then you may be in luck as a) I'm also Lincoln (ish) and b) have stripped down and repaired a number of mini-facelift heated seats.

It can be done but is very very time consuming. However, I have some spares! 

Cheers - Rob

Hi Robert,

Im actually in Ruskington and yes, they are black leather.  If you had the time to help me out a bit in the future that would be appreciated, my priority at the moment as far as funds are concerned are replacing the manifold and removing / replacing a broken stud (that the manifold bolts onto).  Have replacement manifold sorted, just need the gaskets and the stud when funds and I get paid on Friday.  Might end up putting it in the garage though as im not that confident with the stud removal and don't want to risk knacking the head.

Thanks for the offer, will take you up on that if we can sort out a mutually suitable time/place 

[doug4293]

setting 5 ?? how do u adjust the settings ? i press the button it heats up, i turn it off it cools down iv got a 1996

[Andy B]

setting 5 ?? how do u adjust the settings ? i press the button it heats up, i turn it off it cools down iv got a 1996

facelift have different settings on the switch ..... you don't 

[Shelby]

i press the button it heats up, i turn it off it cools down

Well thats one up from me haha, I press the button it lights up but that light really doesn't have much effect on heating the seat 

Hopefully Lincs Robert can help me out 

[Malcolm_D]

I have the 5 heat settings, but all of them give the same heat level i.e. zilch! At least the heater on the seat that SWMBO uses works (for now).