Heated Seats - Front

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Mercury Sable, 2009 Ford Taurus X, and 2009 Ford Taurus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Do not install a new heater mat on a front passenger seat cushion. If a new cushion heater mat is needed on the front passenger seat, an occupant classification sensor (OCS) service kit equipped with a heater mat must be installed. Failure to follow this instruction may result in incorrect operation of the OCS system. Refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM article for the OCS removal and installation procedure.

The heated seat system is controlled by the heated seat module located underneath the front passenger seat cushion. The heated seat switches are part of the HVAC module but the heated seat system operates independently from the climate control system. The heated seat module supplies voltage to heater mats located in the seat cushion and backrest to heat the seat. The heated seat module regulates seat temperature by monitoring resistance of a thermistor type thermostat located in the cushion heater mat. The heated seat module is designed to remain on, heating the seat and maintaining temperature until switched off or a 10-minute time-out period occurs.

Normal heat cycle may require several minutes to initially warm the seat. The seat should be occupied to correctly test for normal operation. Temperature measuring devices do not provide an accurate method for testing heated seat operation as surface temperatures are subject to human and environmental characteristics. Correct testing requires heater mat resistance measurements which have tight tolerances affecting the length of time for the heater mats to reach maximum operating temperature.

The heated seat module monitors the heater output and thermistor circuits for fault detection but does not report DTCs and is not connected to the communication bus circuits. If an open circuit or short to ground occurs, the output is disabled to the heater mats and the heated seat indicators turn off. When a fault is detected the heated seat module only disables the affected seat and the other seat will continue to operate normally. While disabled, the heated seat indicators will flash once with each button press and the heated seat cannot be operated until the system is repaired. After the repair is made, the ignition must be cycled OFF to reset the heated seat module from the detected fault.