Seat Temperature Element: Description and Operation
HEATED SEAT SYSTEMIndividually controlled driver and passenger side electrically heated front seats are available factory-installed optional equipment on this model. The heated seat system allows both the driver and the front seat passenger the option to select one of two seat heating ranges, Low or High, or to turn the individual seat heaters OFF using the heated seat switches located in the outboard sides of the seat cushion side shields. The heated seat switch circuit operates on ignition switched battery current supplied through a fuse in the junction block, only when the ignition switch is in the ON position.
This group covers the following components of the heated seat system:
- Heated seat elements and sensors
- Heated seat module (or memory heated seat module)
- Heated seat switches.
The heated seat system also relies upon resources shared with other electronic modules in the vehicle over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus network. The PCI data bus network allows the sharing of sensor information. This helps to reduce wire harness complexity internal controller hardware, and component sensor current loads. At the same time, this system provides increased reliability, enhanced diagnostics, and allows the addition of many new feature capabilities. For diagnosis of these electronic modules or of the PCI data bus network, the use of a DRB scan tool and the proper Diagnostic Procedures are recommended.
The electronic modules that may affect heated seat system operation are as follows:
- Body Control Module (BCM) - Refer to Body Control Module in Electronic Control Modules for more information.
- Heated Seat Module (HSM) - Refer to Heated Seat Module in Electronic Control Modules for more information.
- Memory Heated Seat Module (MHSM) - If the vehicle is equipped with the Memory System, refer to Memory Seat Module in Electronic Control Modules for more information.
Refer to Power Seats Premium I/III in the Contents of Wiring Diagrams for complete circuit diagrams. Following are general descriptions of the major components in the heated seat system.
The heated seat system will only operate when the ignition switch is in the ON position, and the surface temperature at the front seat heating element sensors is below the designed temperature set points of the system. The heated seat system will not operate in ambient temperatures greater than about 41 °C (105 °F). The front seat heating elements and sensors are hard wired to the Heated Seat Module (HSM) or the Memory Heated Seat Module (MHSM).
The heated seat switches are hard wired to the Body Control Module (BCM). The BCM monitors the heated seat switch inputs, then sends heated seat switch status messages to the HSM or MHSM over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus. The HSM or MHSM contains the control logic for the heated seat system. The HSM or MHSM responds to the heated seat switch status messages, ignition switch status messages, and the front seat heating element sensor inputs by controlling the output to the front seat heating elements through integral solid-state relays.
When a seat heater is turned ON, the sensor located on the seat cushion electric heater element provides the HSM or MHSM with an input indicating the surface temperature of the seat cushion. If the surface temperature input is below the temperature set point for the selected Low or High heated seat switch position, the HSM or MHSM energizes the integral solid-state relay, which supplies battery current to the heating elements in the seat cushion and back. When the sensor input indicates the correct temperature set point has been achieved, the HSM or MHSM de-energizes the solid-state relay. The HSM or MHSM will continue to cycle the solid-state relay as needed to maintain the temperature set point.
The HSM or MHSM and the seat heater elements operate on non-switched battery current supplied through the power seat circuit breaker in the junction block. However, the HSM or MHSM will automatically turn OFF the heating elements if it detects an open in the sensor circuit, a short in the heating element circuit causing an excessive current draw, or when the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position.
See the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of the heated seat system.
Memory And Heated Switch Location:
DRIVER HEATED SEAT SWITCH
The heated seat switches are located on the outboard cushion side shield of the driver and passenger seats. The two, three-position rocker type switches provide a resistor multiplexed signal to the Body Control Module (BCM) through separate hard wired circuits. Each switch has an OFF, Low and High setting. Each switch contains two Light Emitting Diodes (LED), one for each High and Low setting to let the occupant know that the seat heater system is on.
The heated seat switches and their LED's cannot be repaired. If either switch is faulty or damaged the entire switch must be replaced.
There are three positions that can be selected with each of the heated seat switches: OFF, Low, and High. When the front of the switch rocker is fully depressed, the High position is selected and the high position LED indicator illuminates. When the rear of the switch rocker is fully depressed, the Low position is selected and the low position LED indicator illuminates. When the switch rocker is moved to its neutral position, or middle, OFF is selected and both LED indicators are extinguished.
Both switches provide separate resistor multiplexed hard wire inputs to the BCM to indicate the selected switch position. The BCM monitors the switch inputs and sends heated seat switch status messages to the Heated Seat Module (HSM) or the Memory Heated Seat Module (MHSM) over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus. The HSM or MHSM responds to the heated seat switch status messages by controlling the output to the seat heater elements of the selected seat. The Low heat position set point is about 36 °C (97 °F), and the High heat position set point is about 41 °C (105 °F).
Memory And Heated Switch Location:
PASSENGER HEATED SEAT SWITCH
The heated seat switches are located on the outboard cushion side shield of the driver and passenger seats. The two, three-position rocker type switches provide a resistor multiplexed signal to the Body Control Module (BCM) through separate hard wired circuits. Each switch has an OFF, Low and High setting. Each switch contains two light emitting diodes (LED), one for each High and Low setting to let the occupant know that the seat heater system is ON.
The heated seat switches and their LED's cannot be repaired. If either switch is faulty or damaged the entire switch must be replaced.
There are three positions that can be selected with each of the heated seat switches: OFF, Low, and High. When the front of the switch rocker is fully depressed, the High position is selected and the high position LED indicator illuminates. When the rear of the switch rocker is fully depressed, the Low position is selected and the low position LED indicator illuminates. When the switch rocker is moved to its neutral position, or middle, OFF is selected and both LED indicators are extinguished.
Both switches provide separate resistor multiplexed hard wire inputs to the BCM to indicate the selected switch position. The BCM monitors the switch inputs and sends heated seat switch status messages to the Heated Seat Module (HSM) or the Memory Heated Seat Module (MHSM) over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus. The HSM or MHSM responds to the heated seat switch status messages by controlling the output to the seat heater elements of the selected seat. The Low heat position set point is about 36 °C (97 °F), and the High heat position set point is about 41 °C (105 °F).
HEATED SEAT ELEMENT
The heated seat system includes four seat heating elements two in each front seat, one for the seat cushion and the other for the seat back. All models use two resistor wire heating elements for each seat that are connected in series with the Memory Heated Seat/Mirror Module (MHSMM).
The seat heating elements are sewn into the seat cushion cover trim and seat back cover trim units. The heated seat elements and the temperature sensor cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the seat element assembly must be replaced.
The heated seat elements resist the flow of electrical current. When battery current is passed through the elements, the energy lost by the resistance of the elements to the current flow is released in the form of heat. The temperature sensor is a NTC thermistor. When the temperature of the seat cushion cover rises, the resistance of the sensor decreases. The MHSMM supplies a five-volt current to one side of each sensor, and monitors the voltage drop through the sensor on a return circuit. The MHSMM uses this temperature sensor input to monitor the temperature of the seat, and regulates the current flow to the seat heating elements accordingly.
HEATED SEAT SENSOR
Two heated seat sensors are used per vehicle, one in each front seat cushion heating element. The heated seat temperature sensor is a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor.
The heated seat sensors cannot be repaired or adjusted and if found to be faulty, the complete heated seat cushion element must be replaced.
The temperature sensor is a NTC thermistor. When the temperature of the seat cushion cover rises, the resistance of the sensor decreases. The heated seat module supplies a five-volt current to one side of each sensor, and monitors the voltage drop through the sensor on a return circuit. The heated seat module uses this temperature sensor input to monitor the temperature of the seat, and regulates the current flow to the seat heating elements accordingly.