Heated seat question

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Rkimbrell

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This will appear as my 1st post on forum, it is not really. Forgot my password (I am old). My old ID was under my work email address and now retired so...had to re-register.
2015 Ram 2500 Laramie
Last winter my buddy was getting in on passenger side and knocked a 32oz Big Gulp off the console onto the drivers seat.
A few weeks later, the drivers side heated seat will come on, stay on for roughly 2 minutes and then go off. The lights on dash go off also. The passenger side stays on till you manually turn it off. If you turn the drivers side on, it will stay on a couple seconds at most and then goes off again.
I am pulling the seats out of the truck to have the seat covers and foam cushions replaced and want to get the drivers side heated seat to work properly again.
Can you give me a hint what might need replacing, repaired, etc?
 

BossHogg

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All I can tell you is that the heated seat and heated steering wheel control module are located under the driver's seat. It sounds like it may have gotten wet.
 

Bigskyroadglide

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In the seat, under the seat cover and most likely attached to the seat foam is a heating element. This could have been damaged due to the big gulp incident.

In addition under the seat is wiring which could be damaged by a number of things including something being jammed under the seat, the BG incident or external issues like being caught on the seat track. This could be an issue as well if the heating element does not work.

Last, even though both seats are on the same circuit each should have a separate on / off switch which could also impact operations. They should be checked.

Start with the simplest first and eliminate possible points of failure.

Does the button illuminate and the seat begin to get warm when pushed. If so, button works.

If seat begins to get warm after button pushed then obviously wiring under seat is functional.

If seat begins to get warm them stops, probably the heating element could have a short.

My opinion, I hope you solve your problem
 

DripJust

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Could expand a bit more on trouble shooting no heat issue with seats?
My lights turn on, but shut off after a few seconds. My steering wheel heat does work. Since both seats are having the issue could the problem be in the circuit or in one of the elements If they are both wired in series as one circuit ?
 

HemiLonestar

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Admin should be able to change your email address in the forum software and force a password reset.
First, don't let your buddy into your truck with large drinks anymore lol.
Second, disassemble the seat to find out the extent of saturation. For the module to get soaked enough internally isn't likely, even for a Big Gulp. The most likely culprit is the heater pad in the butt cushion.
The covers can usually be cleaned but that's your choice.
 

62Blazer

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The light coming on for a few seconds and then turning off is a pretty common condition that is indicating a failure in heated seats. Not just in Ram vehicles, but just about anything with a heating element. Typically what is going on is that when a heating element is bad it causes a very high amp draw and the module will shut off power to it in order to prevent an issue (i.e. catching on fire). Basically a safety function. The heating grid could of been damaged, or possibly the thermistor which is checking the temperature of the heated seats.
In summary, I would not suspect the actual module to be bad but is worth taking a look and removing the connectors to see if there is signs of liquid. The light turning only coming on for a few seconds typical means the module is working correctly and is sensing an issue somewhere else, such as the heating elements in the seat.
 
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Rkimbrell

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In the seat, under the seat cover and most likely attached to the seat foam is a heating element. This could have been damaged due to the big gulp incident.

In addition under the seat is wiring which could be damaged by a number of things including something being jammed under the seat, the BG incident or external issues like being caught on the seat track. This could be an issue as well if the heating element does not work.

Last, even though both seats are on the same circuit each should have a separate on / off switch which could also impact operations. They should be checked.

Start with the simplest first and eliminate possible points of failure.

Does the button illuminate and the seat begin to get warm when pushed. If so, button works.

If seat begins to get warm after button pushed then obviously wiring under seat is functional.

If seat begins to get warm them stops, probably the heating element could have a short.

My opinion, I hope you solve your problem
Appreciate the information. Yes, the seat button lights up, seats begins to get warm and then stops. Stays on longer first time but afterwards turning it back on will only stay on a few seconds.
I am awaiting the bottom seat cover for passenger side to be delivered and then will have both front seats recovered. Hopefully guy doing the recover and install can find the problem.
Thanks for the reply.
 
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