Heated Seat Element

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Dodge Intrepid, 2002 Chrysler Intrepid, 2002 Chrysler Concorde, and 2002 Chrysler 300M. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The heated seat system includes 4 seat heating elements; 2 in each front seat, one for the seat cushion and the other for the seat back. All models use 2 resistor wire heating elements for each seat that are connected in series with the Memory Heated Seat/Mirror Module (MHSMM).

The seat heating elements are sewn into the seat cushion cover trim and seat back cover trim units. The heated seat elements and the temperature sensor cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the seat element assembly must be replaced.

The heated seat elements resist the flow of electrical current. When battery current is passed through the elements, the energy lost by the resistance of the elements to the current flow is released in the form of heat. The temperature sensor is a NTC thermistor. When the temperature of the seat cushion cover rises, the resistance of the sensor decreases. The MHSMM supplies a 5-volt current to one side of each sensor, and monitors the voltage drop through the sensor on a return circuit. The MHSMM uses this temperature sensor input to monitor the temperature of the seat, and regulates the current flow to the seat heating elements accordingly.