So My seat heater quit working a few months ago... It seemed like the problem was the seat element because it seemed like the back would stay on, but if the seat was on, it would shut off. Replaced the seat element, still no worky. Finally got the new back element and got around to installing it.....

[Jamie Hyneman] Well there's your problem [/Jamie Hyneman]
http://picam.modularmn12.us:81/pictures/truck/img_1258b.jpg

So if you use the heck out of your seat heater like I do, and it stops working, this may be your issue.

Wow... you got lucky

My better half has heated seats in her 03 Tahoe. She complained this weekend that they wouldn't work. When she turned them on, the lights would flash on the button, then they would go off. When I drove it yesterday, it worked fine. How hard is it to replace, and what is the cost.

i just replaced the exact same thing. I know i will not be leaving my seats on unattended any more.

My better half has heated seats in her 03 Tahoe. She complained this weekend that they wouldn't work. When she turned them on, the lights would flash on the button, then they would go off. When I drove it yesterday, it worked fine. How hard is it to replace, and what is the cost.

The seat cushion wasn't TOO bad... the back was a PAIN, and I have to take it apart again becasue I didn't get the arm rest clip in right...

Basically, to take the seat cushion off, remove the two 1/2" nuts from the front corners holding the cushion to the frame. Lift up, pull forward and disconnect all the harnesses (the one that's attached to the bottom of the frame is a pain; I unhooked it and left it unhooked from the bottom). Once you get the cover off, you'll need to peel the element off, then the new one will have adhesive to glue it to the cushion.

Maybe I should make a DIY... Anyone near St Louis have heated seats that need the element(s) replaced? :D

my 03, which is still covered by the GMPP 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, just had the heated seat on the drivers side go bad last week. Carried it to them today, and they fixed it in 1.5 hours. replaced the element (looked EXACTLY like the pic in the first thread) as well as the module. Fortunately it WAS covered under warranty (98,500 miles on the truck right now), because the element was $150, and the module was a little over $400. Total on the ticket, about $650. They let me back in the shop so i could watch. Its kind of a pain in the ass, but at least i know how to do it now if it happens again.

Happens ALL the time, replaced tons that look like that., some winters 4-5 a week....

Is it usally the element that goes bad? Any way to test it?

Yes, measure the harness that goes into the grid, it should have a ohm or so of res, if its open the heater is burnt.

My problem was the seat warmers came on by themselves. I have had my truck in four times now, they replaced the bottom seat module first, the problem continued on the back seat, they replaced the back seat module two weeks ago. Two days ago the back seat came on again, finally got it to stay off and a while later it came on again. Half tempted to just pull the fuse and say forget it!

There is a recal for that i think???.....