Circuit/System Description
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Cadillac DTS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The rear heated seat heating elements are controlled by a common high current relay internal to the rear heated seat module and individual low side element control circuits for each heating element. Before the heated seat module will allow heated seat operation, it checks to see if the heating element supply voltage circuits and control circuits are shorted to ground or battery voltage. Once the module verifies that it is not closing to a shorted heating element, it allows heated seat operation. After which it will continue to monitor for a shorted circuit.