Driver's heated seat not working.

[tmaxx]

I have a 2010 Fusion Hybrid. The heated seat on the passenger side works, but the driver's side doesn't work.

When I press the Driver's heated seat button, the two red lights come on and then turn off after about 2 seconds.

I removed the leather cover off the driver's seat (bottom) and inspected the heating element. I didn't see any obvious burns anywhere. Is it possible that the heating element is bad with no visible signs? I thought of checking the continuity of the element to make sure there were no breaks, but I am not sure the pinout on the connector. Is it possible to check the continuity of the heating element?

Also, I didn't take off the back of the seat cover to inspect that heating element. It's much more difficult to get the back of the driver's seat cover off.

 

thx

[corncobs]

Any chance you measure with a voltmeter if any voltage reached the heating element.

If there is nothing it might be the relay (just guessing here) for the seat heater has gone bad.

[machoman1337]

When I press the Driver's heated seat button, the two red lights come on and then turn off after about 2 seconds.

 

My previous car was a 2008 Fusion SEL V6 AWD. It had the EXACT same problem when I bought it in May 2012 - on Day 1, the driver's side heated seat did not work, and the lights flickered on and off the way you described.

 

It's most likely a short circuit or a component burnout. The dealer wanted $400 CAD to repair it (out of warranty) when I reported it. I said screw it and just... took it like man despite the minus 20 Celsius winters of Ontario :P (consequently, my butt has become so hardened to cold that I have not touched the seat heater even once in my current 2013 FFH).

 

Google did reveal that this is a common problem on previous generation Fusions:

http://www.fordfusionforum.com/topic/13003-replacing-driver-side-seat-heat-element/

http://www.fordfusionforum.com/topic/10703-heated-seat-issue/