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[kapmj]

My Heated front seats on my 2.2 CD have stopped working. Both drivers and passengers. The lights on the switches however light up. Checked fuses and they seem OK. Has anybody had a similar problem and aware of a cure?

[Andy B]

Heated seats do fail. If both of your seats show as working ie the light works, I think you've been unlucky & had both seats fail at the same time.
I've never looked at face lift seats ie with variable heat settings, but both lower back & seat base are wired in series if you decide to go hunting with multi-meter in hand.   

[I_want_an_Omega]

If the seats are cloth then the heating pads can be replaced, but if they are leather its "almost" impossible to repair.

I say almost as if its a broken element then the break can be joined but the heating pad is sewn to the leather seat cover.

I either case stripping the seat down is not for the faint hearted, very time consuming and fiddly.

[Andy B]

If the seats are cloth then the heating pads can be replaced, but if they are leather its "almost" impossible to repair..

..... but it's possible to put a seperate pad intended for a fabric seat under the leather cover. It'll just take a little longer for the heat to permeate to your bum.   

I either case stripping the seat down is not for the faint hearted, very time consuming and fiddly.

It's not difficult to get to the inside of the covers. Just bare in mind they're bloody heavy .... and the pyrotechnics in the side where apllicable.     

[I_want_an_Omega]

It seems that the cloth seat pads are no longer available!
 

[Andy B]

It seems that the cloth seat pads are no longer available!
 

What about generic?
I've a brand new Astra G base element if it's of any use to anyone.

[I_want_an_Omega]

Possibly, but the pads are shaped to fit around the metal bracing bars in the seats - so it really has to be an Omega pad to be 100%.

BEWARE, as elite cloth seats are built in the same way as leather ones. So, the only real source of parts are scrap working seats.

[kapmj]

Hi,

Thanks for all that, I'm going to get the multi-meter on it at weekend. I wasn't aware they are wired in series, which provides some hope other than a complete disaster. Seems strange both would fail simultaneously and all was well since I've bought the car 7 months ago.

[I_want_an_Omega]

Just to be clear, each seat has its base and back elements wired in series. But each seat is totally separate from the other.

If you unplug the seats then disconnect the battery properly 1st. If you turn the ignition on with either seat removed it will sense the side airbag has failed and trigger the aibag warning light whch then stays on and can only be reset by someone who knows what they are doing or dealer. £££ will be required for this.

Also, be careful with the Torx bolt heads holding the seats in place, they are easy to mangle and I dont think they are supposed to be re-used, you will be ok with care though.

The seats are also heavy, remove the head restraints before taking the seats out - gives you a bit more room to play with.

If you have a fold flat pass seat then you will find the wiring is a little different to the drivers seat to accommodate the folding function.

When stripping the seats down you will quickly be introduced to the famous metal hog rings. In my experience a strong pair of long nosed pliers is the way to open them, but use small cable ties to do the reassembly. New hog rings need a special tool, either that or using 2 sets of pliers @ the same time in a confined space.  :-/

HTH

[Andy B]

.....
When stripping the seats down you will quickly be introduced to the famous metal hog rings.  .....

Hog rings are easy  . Instead of trying to open them up by increasing the diameter just twisted them side ways obvioulsy closing them is the opposite - that way you can get the two ends to meet each other more easily. 

[cruisetopoland]

Hi-not sure what to do; have 95k 2000 CD 2.2 16v with heated seat issues.  Both switches light, but driver's seat not working and passenger seat back not working but base is-and gets very hot indeed.  Should I:
1/ just accept they break and not use them (damn!)
2/ disconnect to prevent fire?
3/ have a crack at the wiring, following the guide on here?
4/ buy the tidier heated leather interior on ebay and fit that? (not keen on having to disconnecting battery re: SRS side bag error if not done).

Comments much appreciated!

[cruisetopoland]

Anyone??

Got a bit worried when I saw the picture of the burnt out one with the barbecued seat on here....!!

[charlie]

Ive had mine burn the old backside,You can only put facelift seats back in,if it a facelift.IM going for the leather choice myself.

[pedroMV6]

As an ex-trimmer, I can tell you that if a pad overheats and it doesn't work with a thermostat (AFAIK Omegas don't have thermostats), it'll be fooked.
You can buy Weaco (?) pads - it's what we used with no complaints as retro fits - and as said, when the original pad is stuck to the cover, just fit these behind and it'll take a minute or so longer to warm yer arse. They come as a kit for around £70 per seat, IIRC. You obviously won't need the electric wiring, relay and associated gubbins, just connect the wires to the existing loom.
I will say that GM are notorious for fitting seat pad wires where the seat either reclines or folds, so they very often get broken or chafe through and short out, so that's the first place I would look if things aren't right.
Andy is right about hog-rings, but they are cheap as chips from an upholstery suppplier, and cable tiies work just as well.
The worst thing is pulling the cover back on to the seat, as it can be a right stubborn t**t! Don't be afraid to use a silicon spray on the foam to help the covers slip back, slap it into place or pull the crap out of it to do what you want it to do - show it who's boss!!!!!

[amba]

I took delivery of a Waeco retro fit set of heater pads and wiring today,quite a bargain as found them on egay at £59=99 delivered.
Am I right in reading that you do not require the wiring loom that comes with them ? as the switches supplied are a 2 way Lo/High settings for each seat with a common relay between the 2.
My intention was to use the existing dash board push switch as it has main illumination,and then connect up the second supplied switches into the existing plug sockets under the seats...that way I have control over the seat by illumination and the dash stays the same.I planned to fit the extra switches onto either side of the handbrake ( where the satnav control would have been)..Question..do the existing heated seats switch from +12v or -12v  ?any ideas.