jstephens

2005 leather heated seats that are not working , the bottom part and back part, im wondering if its the switch since both are not working or element in seat?

mulmur1

Welcome to the forum. The first place to check would be the fuse. If the fuse is ok, then check for power to the switch. Unfortunately, the heating elements can burn out. Hopefully it is the switch, as it is a bit of work to remove the seat covers.

You can get the switch from gmpartsdirect.com or your dealer.

You can get new heating elements from a number of parts stores.

Auto Upholstery | Leather Seat Covers | 3rd Row Seats | Seats and Seat Covers

Good luck with the repair.

jstephens

im looking for a way to make sure its one or the other. im not looking to throw parts at it until its fixed

mulmur1

I agree, you don't want to throw parts at it and that is why you are testing the switch and heating elements.

As noted, you should check the switch, to see if there is power to the switch. If the switch tests ok then you know that the switch is ok.

To test the seat elements have the ignition off. You will need to disconnect the heating elements connection. There are two in each seat. The conection is below the seat and should be apart for the test. You should have between .5 and 2 ohms at the connection

Good luck with the repair.

in2pro

Here is a brief description of how they work if it helps...


Service Information
2005 Chevrolet Tahoe - 2WD | Avalanche, Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon (VIN C/K) Service Manual | Document ID: 871006
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Heated Seats Description and Operation (Front)
Heated Seat Components
The heated seat system consists of the following components:

• Driver and passenger heated seat switches

• Driver and passenger seat back heater elements

• Driver and passenger seat cushion heater elements

• Driver and passenger seat back temperature sensors

• Driver seat module

• Driver door module

• Passenger door module

Heated Seat System Operation
The driver and passenger heated seats have 2 heat zone operating modes with 3 heat level modes and will operate only while the engine is running. The heat zones are determined by which of the 2 heated seat buttons are pressed, while the heat level is determined by the number of times they are pressed. Pressing the seat cushion button 1 time will activate the seat back and cushion heater elements in the high mode. Each time the seat cushion button is pressed the seat back and cushion heat level is reduced from high to medium, low, and off. Pressing the heated seat back button 1 time will activate only the seat back heater element in the high mode. Each time the seat back button is pressed the seat back heat level is reduced from high to medium, low, and off. During heated seat operation the heat zone operating mode may be changed without affecting the current heat level mode.

The heated seat switches are momentary contact switches and are inputs to the driver and passenger door modules. Battery voltage is supplied to the switch assembly from the door module, and when a heated seat switch is pressed and released a brief switch signal voltage is supplied to the door module. Whenever the door module receives an active heated seat switch input, the next heated seat operating mode is determined by whatever the current mode may be. The seat heater elements are controlled by the driver seat module using inputs from the door modules through Class 2 serial data circuit messages. The driver seat module controls the voltage supply and the ground circuits to the seat heater elements. When a heated seat function is commanded active, the seat module will switch battery voltage to the heater element supply circuits, and ground is provided through low side drive control circuits. During heated seat operation both the seat back and cushion heater elements are supplied battery voltage. The seat module grounds the appropriate control circuits for back only or back and cushion heating modes, and opens or closes the active control circuits as necessary in order to maintain the desired seat temperature. The seat module relies on inputs from thermistors located in the driver and passenger seat backs to control heated seat temperatures. The thermistors are 2 wire sensors supplied with a 5-volt referenced signal circuit and a low reference circuit from the seat module. Resistance through the thermistors varies with temperature causing the heated seat sensor signal circuit voltage levels to decrease as the seat back temperatures rise. The seat modules allow heated seat operation only while the engine is running which is determined by a Class 2 serial data circuit message from the powertrain control module.

dwj57

Thanks for the information listed above, however my Suburban has the back elements working, but not the seat cushion and is not working on either front seats and they seem to go out at the same time. It seems really odd that they both quite working at the same time. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thx!

in2pro

dwj57
Welcome to the forum... I'd ohm them out for resistance and also check the fuses, its possible they have both gone out as they have a finite lifespan and if you used them both its possible they both died at similar times....

Rednucleus

Our 05 Sub driver's seat heater quit, which also affected passenger function. If I remember, we could run just the passenger side fine, but when the driver's side was turned on they both quit. Should be able to put a meter on the individual seat pads to find the bad one.

atodd

Hello, I am having problems with my 2005 suburban electronics specifically the seats. The seat heaters seem to come on automatically while driving. After you push the button to turn them off, they will come back on again. This happens again and again and then at times they work just fine. In addition, my wife and I have our seat settings saved to 1 and 2. They stay set for a period of time, and then out of the blue you push your button and the seat goes haywire and moves all the way forward and the back comes all of the way up. My wife's settings are messed up as well. I do not know if this is linked to the same problems with the seat heater as well. Im just thinking that it may be related because the controls for both are on the door panel. Any help??