Condition
Some customers may comment that the driver or passenger heated seat system exhibits the
following symptoms:
• Heated seat turns on and then turns off within 1 to 10 minutes (at any 60 second interval).
• The system doesn't get warm enough, or gets warm very slowly.
• The heated seat system is completely inoperative.
Upon further review, DTCs B2430 0D and/or B2180 0D may be set as a current or history code if
the vehicle is equipped with heated seats only (RPO KA1). Also, the LED indicator for the heated
seats may come On and then flash after approximately 1 minute, then go out.
If the vehicle is equipped with heated and cooled seats (KB6), the switch LED indicator may stay
On, but the heated and cooled seat is inoperative. The fan will continue to blow air.
Cause
Heated Seats (RPO KA1)
The heated seat control circuit terminal and/or ground terminal in harness connector X1 to the
memory seat module (MSM) may have lost tension and is loose. The reduced terminal tension
increases resistance in the connector, which may result in the symptoms described above.
Correction
Heated Seats (RPO KA1)
Follow the steps below to correct the concern with the heated seats.
Note: This repair requires a unique anti-abrasion electrical tape and harness clip from Kent
Automotive. Refer to the Parts Information below.
• Access and remove the seat bolts/nuts.
• Adjust the seat rearward about halfway. Adjust the seat recline full forward.
Tilt the seat backward to access the bottom of the seat. Prop the seat up with a suitable
tool if required.
•
• Disconnect seat harness connectors (1) X1, X2, X3 and X4 from the MSM.
• Identify connector X1. Refer to Component Connector End Views in SI.
Perform a terminal drag test on connector X1, paying special attention to terminals 1, 4, 6,
11 and 14. Using an equivalent male terminal from the J-38125, test that the retention
force is significantly different between a good terminal and a suspect terminal. Refer to
Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in SI.
•
Replace any terminal in question including connector X1 terminals 1, 4, 6, 11 and 14 if
necessary. Refer to Repairing Connector Terminals in SI.
•
• Identify connector X4. Refer to Component Connector End Views in SI.
• Perform the terminal drag test described in step 6, paying special attention to terminal 14.
Replace any terminal in question including connector X4 terminal 14 if necessary. Refer to
Repairing Connector Terminals in SI.
The internet (including my post right now, lol) Is always a good place to get ideas or suggestions on a repair but you always need to do some testing to see whats really going on before you start buying parts. It only takes a couple minutes to test those heater elements.
I cant tell you how many times I have a customer come in and tell me a list of parts they have replaced to try and fix a problem. Not only did they waste money on those parts, 99% of the time they took off a good OEM part and put on a cheap aftermarket part. We fix a lot of problems these days not replacing any parts at all. Lots of wiring, connection, ground issues, and programming to fix vehicles. Eric
