Heated seat failure

[ChornsYYC]

Removed.

[The Infiltrator]

Took a look through the forums and in depth on google to no avail regarding my particular issue. The driver side heated seat is not functioning. When it's set anywhere from 1 - 6 the light on button itself will illuminate for about 5 seconds and then go dark and of course there is no heat to be felt. The fuse looks fine and everything seems to be connected securely below the seat. The passenger side seat heating is working without issue. All other seat functions are working.

No access to a VAGCOM rather just a cheapo generic OBDII reader which I don't imagine will pull a code.

Any ideas?

Does the digital screen stay illuminated with the temp set in the cabin? If not I think your A/C controls are shot.

[ChornsYYC]

Does the digital screen stay illuminated with the temp set in the cabin? If not I think your A/C controls are shot.

The digital screen remains illuminated with the cabin temp setting. Thinking this may be either the heated seat temp sensor or the element itself. I notice along with the heated seat button light going dark the MMI display shows the dial moving from 6 - 0 if it's open.

[lettuce]

The digital screen remains illuminated with the cabin temp setting. Thinking this may be either the heated seat temp sensor or the element itself. I notice along with the heated seat button light going dark the MMI display shows the dial moving from 6 - 0 if it's open.

From my limited research on the subject, this appears to be an issue with the heating element and it's shutting off to protect your seat from bursting into flames with you strapped into it. It's also prohibitively expensive to replace the element due to needing to completely tear apart and reupholster the seat in the process. Your best bet is to find an entire replacement seat out of a junker or on Craigslist or something.

[ChornsYYC]

From my limited research on the subject, this appears to be an issue with the heating element and it's shutting off to protect your seat from bursting into flames with you strapped into it. It's also prohibitively expensive to replace the element due to needing to completely tear apart and reupholster the seat in the process. Your best bet is to find an entire replacement seat out of a junker or on Craigslist or something.

Just a quick update - you were correct, the element is shot and it's an expensive fix. Keeping my eyes open for the seat out of a junker.

[Carlos74]

Just a quick update - you were correct, the element is shot and it's an expensive fix. Keeping my eyes open for the seat out of a junker.

How did you find out it was the actual heating element? were you able to run a scan? I have the same symptoms and this is the code I'm getting:

01853 - Heated Seat; Left Front (Z45)

012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit

And according to Ross-Tech this should be a short in the seat wiring. I was able to find a complete wiring set up on ebay for $20 so I am gonna try to do the swap sometime soon. Hopefully that takes care of it.

[AUDIMAN33]

When it comes to things like this, I think it pays just to take it to the dealer


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[Project Quattro]

You could also check out Shokan, they're a wrecking yard in upstate NY that exclusively breaks Audi wrecks down. They may have a seat for you. Not sure how their pricing is but their selection of cars is pretty decent.


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[zokissima]

When it comes to things like this, I think it pays just to take it to the dealer

For things like this? What do you mean exactly? It's a seat....that's it....nothing mechanical in the drivetrain or anything...

[Lambda13]

If it were my car I'd buy a replacement element and carefully take the seat apart. It can be done. Then replace the element and put it all back together.

I have done a cushion replacement as well (mine was cracked to hell) and it took about 45 minutes to to the entire process.

[JeriQo]

why pay for a heated seats when you can install a fireplace?

[ChornsYYC]

How did you find out it was the actual heating element? were you able to run a scan? I have the same symptoms and this is the code I'm getting:

01853 - Heated Seat; Left Front (Z45)

012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit

And according to Ross-Tech this should be a short in the seat wiring. I was able to find a complete wiring set up on ebay for $20 so I am gonna try to do the swap sometime soon. Hopefully that takes care of it.

I had a reputable VW/audi specific indy shop look at it while they had the car for an oil change. They told me the codes pulled were inadequate for a definitive diagnosis and ended up metering the seat connection to determine the element had failed. I suspect the codes pulled were the same ones you mention although I didn't inquire.

Good luck and keep us posted as to how it works out.

[MikeIC23]

Does anyone know which of the four electrical plugs under the seat feeds the seat heater? I have the exact situation going on right now and am pulling the same code in VAGCOM but as has been previously indicated, this isn't enough to tell me where the fault is. If I can determine if power is getting to the heater then this should hopefully answer my question. Thanks!

[HenrikMeister]

Any solution to this? I just noticed the problem on my B8.
My fault this time, I rested my knee on the drivers seat to reach something on the passenger side. I think that triggered the fault.
Same problem as OP. Turning on heating, then after 5-10 seconds, the heat seat LED turns off. The ventilation still works tho, and the passenger side works as it should.
Any troubleshooting ideas? Or just send the car to the dealers?


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[bpnic]

Any solution to this? I just noticed the problem on my B8.
My fault this time, I rested my knee on the drivers seat to reach something on the passenger side. I think that triggered the fault.
Same problem as OP. Turning on heating, then after 5-10 seconds, the heat seat LED turns off. The ventilation still works tho, and the passenger side works as it should.
Any troubleshooting ideas? Or just send the car to the dealers?


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Same exact issue here on the A4 Avant I purchased yesterday!

I'm fairly decent with a Fluke multimeter.....any insight as to which wires run to the element?
I'll then ohm-out the good passanger side element to get a working "baseline" reading.

Thanks,
Brian

[Lambda13]

Does anyone know which of the four electrical plugs under the seat feeds the seat heater? I have the exact situation going on right now and am pulling the same code in VAGCOM but as has been previously indicated, this isn't enough to tell me where the fault is. If I can determine if power is getting to the heater then this should hopefully answer my question. Thanks!

I believe it's the green one. I had to take my seats apart twice. I'll look at it when I get home, I have my passenger seat sitting in my living room

[bpnic]

I believe it's the green one. I had to take my seats apart twice. I'll look at it when I get home, I have my passenger seat sitting in my living room

Thanks Lambda!

[Lambda13]

Thanks Lambda!

Yep, it's the green one. It's connected in 2 places and you have to pull the harnesses apart. You'll definitely have to pull the seat out.

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[HenrikMeister]

Thanks Lambda!

Let us know on how you eventually fixed it.

[HenrikMeister]

I would've buy a used seat, but the biggest issue is that ebay or the junkyard dont have the identical seat I have. With heated AND ventilation...


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[bpnic]

Yep, it's the green one. It's connected in 2 places and you have to pull the harnesses apart. You'll definitely have to pull the seat out.

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Thanks man!

Any idea what a good element ohms out at?
I plan to ohm out the passenger seat (working) for comparision.

[Lambda13]

I would've buy a used seat, but the biggest issue is that ebay or the junkyard dont have the identical seat I have. With heated AND ventilation...


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Ventilation?! WHAT?! Jealous.

[ranchos]

My wife's car has vented seats..... heaven.

[HenrikMeister]

Ventilation?! WHAT?! Jealous.

Best thing after hours of working out

[JeriQo]

Best thing after hours of working out

wait what? did you have to buy parts to get this done?

[HenrikMeister]

wait what? did you have to buy parts to get this done?

German import. All OEM

[BMWManiac]

This is why you never put your knee on your front seats....damages the heating elements

[Lambda13]

This is why you never put your knee on your front seats....damages the heating elements

I haven't heard this before, but I guess that focused pressure could cause damage.

[JeriQo]

This is why you never put your knee on your front seats....damages the heating elements

good tip here!

[HenrikMeister]

I haven't heard this before, but I guess that focused pressure could cause damage.

It actually says in the A4 manual *warning*
Please be carefull guys or this happens :(

[mr_milo]

Best thing after hours of working out

The good stuff never makes it to the USA. Is it really so hard to have this as an option if it already exists. Same thing with the front parking sensors. Both would be a sweet retrofit in our USA cars.

[bluetori]

Well I have kind of this type of issue although on my 09' the back of the driver seat doesn't seem to get warm, anyone else?

[bpnic]

Mine turned out to be a bad element. Dealer replacing under warranty. Thankfully!

[A4Mods]

How old was the car when it was replaced under warranty? I'm curious how long that warranty is.

[zachhu]

I'm having this same problem with my passenger seat; ventilation works fine, but the heater turns its self off after a few seconds. I hear the seat temperature sensor is prone to failure, does anyone have a part number for just the sensor? Or would I have to buy the entire heating assembly and reupholster the whole seat?