- #1 of 30
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electrics seat problems
by esmith
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Feb 28, 2007 (8:32 pm)
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I have an 06 big horn addition that I just added factory leather/power/heated seats, and the dealer installed them. I have a constant problem with both seats over heating on high after only 15 minutes. They shift to low setting for a few minutes, then turn off by themselves. The dealer can find no explanation for this and has been there a few times. This is very annoying because I don't want to take it just anywhere and void other parts of the truck warranty. I have a full service manual but we (myself seeming to know much more then the dealer) followed it to a tee. Does anyone have enough experience here to help out? I have alot of details if I can spark an interest in a guru. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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- #2 of 30
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Re: electrics seat problems [esmith]
by mac24
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Feb 28, 2007 (9:47 pm)
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Replying to: esmith (Feb 28, 2007 8:32 pm)
First, what is the designed mode of operation? All the heated seats I've come across have been designed to shut down after certain time period. The mechanism for this can either be a timer/relay in the switching circuit, a thermally tripped breaker that trips after a certain current draw heats it up enough, or rarely, a thermocouple that reacts to actual seat temp.
So assuming that it isn't supposed to be reset every fifteen minutes, the next step is to check out the control systems. Following that, is the current draw exceeding the manufacturers spec? If so, the heating element is faulty.
Finally, and I'm sure you must have considered this, optional factory seats installed by an authorized dealer must surely be under warranty? If the seats aren't performing to spec the fix is the responsibility of the dealer and supplier. It shouldn't be your problem.
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- #3 of 30
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Re: electrics seat problems [mac24]
by esmith
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Mar 01, 2007 (8:02 am)
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Replying to: mac24 (Feb 28, 2007 9:47 pm)
Certainly all good remarks mac24, and I'm glad you are on this. The service manual states that upon turning the seats on "high" that they will have a four minute boost cycle followed by regular high heat. After two hours they shift into low heat indefinately until they are either turned off, or the ignition is turned off. Mine will drop from high to low in about 15 minutes, then turn off after about another fifteen minutes. Heres why I believe they are over heating. If I start out on low heat, they seem to stay on for a good hour or so. AND, since both seats are independant, I turned both seats on high at the same time and both act the same, within two minutes or so. I have checked the resistance values on both seats against the service manual and they are good. As far as the warranty, I purchased the seats a few months after buying the truck since this big horn edition didn't have that option. I purchased the switch/modules through Chrysler and had my local service install the electric part of it, as not to void any existing warranty. They will not however cover the actual seats since they did not come with the truck. Unfortunately, I have given the mechanics more info then they seem to know on their own as sad as that sounds. They are stuck once again and I'm banging my head on the table trying to help them out so as not to wire anything incorrectly, or unsafe. Thanks for your reply
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- #4 of 30
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Re: electrics seat problems [mac24]
by esmith
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Mar 07, 2007 (8:52 pm)
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Replying to: mac24 (Feb 28, 2007 9:47 pm)
So Mac24I've been curious as to whether your on vacation or given up on my electric seat issue. I've contacted Chysler headquarters and finally got a return call after two times. They stand by the statement that the truck did not come standard with heated seat options, therefore they won't condone giving advice to install them. I couldn't dissagree more, if we all set on our hands and accepted what the factory forces upon us, our cars would be cloans...I believe in making our vehicles look and perform (since I can't do this with my ole lady) the way WE want them to, as long as its within their capability. Not the way THEY think they should look and perform. I'm a firm believer in that and I wish they would tell me the fix! Resistive wire, different heat sensing devices ect...They won't say anything so I'm asking any and everybody to share any thoughts you may have, big or small it all helps. Bottom line id these seats should not be turning themselves off...Thamks for your time, its greatly appreciated.
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- #5 of 30
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Re: electrics seat problems [esmith]
by mac24
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Mar 08, 2007 (7:14 am)
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Replying to: esmith (Mar 07, 2007 8:52 pm)
Without knowing the actual mechanism used to control the seats there wasn't really much more I could say.
However, looking back over your post " I purchased the seats a few months after buying the truck........... I purchased the switch/modules through Chrysler" it may well be that the seat heating elements and the control system are incompatible. Sometimes even seats within the same model line can be controlled in different ways.
Did the seats come with the heaters already installed, and did you buy them through your dealer? Are they a seat that DC uses in another model?
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- #6 of 30
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Re: electrics seat problems [mac24]
by esmith
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Mar 08, 2007 (1:32 pm)
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Replying to: mac24 (Mar 08, 2007 7:14 am)
Actually the seats were taken out of a new 06 ram that was being gutted and customized at another shop. The truck is a Larami, mine is a Big Horn. According to Chysler the Larami has the only leather heated seats and they're all the same seat. (same ohmnic value of heatstrip, 3.8 to 4.8 ohms for the seat cushion, 4.3 to 5.4 ohms for the back) Also with the switch/modules, all the same according to their catalog. I'm just wondering if the factory uses a resistive wire on the secondary side of the switch/module to the elements themselves? I've asked but nobody at the dealer can find that answer, and it's not in my service manual CD...
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- #7 of 30
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Re: electrics seat problems [esmith]
by mac24
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Mar 08, 2007 (3:11 pm)
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Replying to: esmith (Mar 08, 2007 1:32 pm)
Assuming you can't get the factory harness, or measure the reaistance of one, why not make up a new harness in heavier gauge wire than you have now?
That will have the effect of lowering the resistance of the circuit and, if the control module is using a resistance measurement to control the seats, will allow the seats to remain on longer (in theory  ).
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- #8 of 30
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2001 overhead console
by cfd428
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Apr 09, 2007 (3:10 pm)
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- #9 of 30
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2001 overhead console
by cfd428
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Mar 31, 2007 (5:45 pm)
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Does anyone know if the overhead console is pre-wired for the (Compass/Temp/Economy) Overhead display. It would be nice to add the display.But not at the expense of adding sensors etc.
steve
2001 Ram2500 4X4 Reg cab
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- #10 of 30
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Re: 2001 overhead console [cfd428]
by dustyk
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Apr 09, 2007 (3:10 pm)
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Replying to: cfd428 (Mar 31, 2007 5:45 pm)
Don't know on a RAM of that vintage, but I was once told that the wiring is there on a Dakota. In the past Dodge has been good about installing wiring for devices that were an option in some cases, so it might be there.
Try removing the current overhead console and see if there's a wiring harness there. Let us know what you find.
Regards,
Dusty
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