GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Heated Seat Relay B+

1, B1920, B2165

1, B1920, B2165

--

--

Heated Seat Relay Control

1, B2508, B2509

B2508, B2509

B2508, B2509

--

Heated Seat Relay Ground

--

B2508, B2509

--

--

Heated Seat Cushion Temperature Sensor Signal

B1925, B2170

B1920, B2165

B1920, B1925, B2165, B2170

--

Heated Seat Cushion Temperature Sensor Low Reference

--

1, B1920, B2165

--

--

Heated Seat Heater Element Control

1, B1920, B2165

1, B1920, B2165

--

--

Heated Seat Element Ground

--

1, B1920, B2165

--

--

1. Front heated seat malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The driver and passenger heated seats are controlled by separate heated seat switches. Both switches are located in the HVAC control module. When a heated seat switch is pressed, the HVAC control module sends a class 2 serial data message to the body control module (BCM) indicating the heated seat command. In response to this signal, the BCM applies battery positive voltage through the heated seat relay control circuit energizing the relay coil. The relay closes its switch contacts applying battery positive voltage through the element supply voltage circuit to the seat heating elements. The BCM then sends a class 2 serial data message back to the HVAC control module to illuminate the appropriate temperature indicator.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Heated/Cooled Seat Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Heated Seats Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool Driver Heated Seat parameter while pressing the driver heated seat switch from off to the high and low heat positions. The reading should change between Off, High, and Low.
  2. If the reading does not change between the specified values and no current or history DTCs are set, replace the HVAC control module.
  3. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool Passenger Heated Seat Status parameter while pressing the passenger heated seat switch from off to the high and low heat positions. The reading should change between Off, High, and Low.
  4. If the reading does not change between the specified values and no current or history DTCs are set, replace the HVAC control module.
  5. If all scan tool parameters test normal, refer to Circuit/System Testing.
  6. If all scan tool parameters test normal, the heated seat operates normal, but the heated seat switch temperature indicators are inoperative or always ON, replace the HVAC control module.

Circuit/System Testing

Heated Seat Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the appropriate heated seat relay.
  2. Test for less than 5.0 Ω between the ground circuit terminal A1 and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal A2 and ground.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the B+ circuit fuse is open, test the control circuit terminal C1 for a short to ground.
  6. Verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the control circuit terminal C1 and ground.
  7. If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.
  8. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal C2 and ground.
  9. Command the appropriate Driver or Passenger Heated Seat ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  10. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  11. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the seat back heater element.
  12. Test for less than 5.0 Ω between the ground circuit terminal B and ground.
  13. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  14. At the heater element side of the connector, test for 1-5 Ω between terminal A and terminal B.
  15. If not within the specified range, replace the seat back heater element.
  16. Disconnect the harness connector at the seat cushion heater element.
  17. Test for 1-5 Ω between terminal A and terminal B.
  18. If not within the specified range, replace the seat cushion heater element.
  19. Connect the harness connectors at the seat back and seat cushion heater elements.
  20. Connect a 10 A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal A2 and the control circuit terminal C1. The seat should get warm.
  21. If the seat does not get warm, test the control circuit and the circuit between the seat heater elements for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  22. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the heated seat relay.

Component Testing

Seat Heater Elements

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the seat cushion heater element.
  2. Test for 1-5 Ω between terminal A and terminal B.
  3. If not within the specified range, replace the seat cushion heater element.
  4. Test for 535-168k Ω between terminal C and terminal D.
  5. If not within the specified range, replace the seat cushion heater element.
  6. Disconnect the harness connector at the seat back heater element.
  7. Test for 1-5 Ω between terminal A and terminal B.
  8. If not within the specified range, replace the seat back heater element.

Relay Test

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the appropriate heated seat relay.
  2. Test for 70-100 Ω between terminals 85 and 86.
  3. If the resistance is not within the specified range, replace the relay.
  4. Test for infinite resistance between the terminals listed below:
  5. • 30 and 85
    • 30 and 86
    • 30 and 87
    • 85 and 87
    If not the specified value, replace the heated seat relay.
  6. Install a 10 A fused jumper wire between relay terminal 85 and B+. Install a jumper wire between relay terminal 86 and ground. Test for less than 2 Ω between terminals 30 and 87.
  7. If greater than the specified range, replace the heated seat relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Relay Replacement
    •  Driver or Passenger Seat Back Cushion Heater Replacement
    •  Driver or Passenger Seat Cushion Heater Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM and HVAC control module replacement, setup, and programming