I have a new aftermarket element to put in my 01 Cherokee to replace the nonfunctional element. The element has a red and black wire. Anyone wire in a element before? That can tell me how.

 

are you talking about the cushion or the seat back element?

 

Cushion. There are two seperate elements in the cushion that go to four prong plug. This new universal element of course has just two wires. The four prong has two grounds and two hots that were for the two elements. One hot gives a ohm reading of like 11.26 and the other gives a reading of 4.97. I was thinking of useing one ground and the higher reading hot wire. What is the right thing to do?

 

It didn't work. Anyone on this. It shouldn't be that hard. I just don't know wiring all that well. I could be way off but maybe the element needs the contnuity to continue through it. If so, then what to do with all 4 wires?

 

If you know what your hot wires are cooming from the jeep and the wire that need to be hot in the seat. Cant you just run the hot wire from the jeep to each hot wire for the seat and just ground it?

 

Not sure what your saying. I've already tried a hot and a ground to the element.

 

Take the two hot twist them together, take the two ground twist them together, attached to your element.

 

I've tried that. Doesn't work. The switches really act up that way and no heat.

 

ok, that was my only idea, only thing I know about wiring is how to get zapped. Hope someone can help.

 

SWAP-Cant just install a element, you also need the SHIM Seat Heat Interface Module and the seat heat relay. Will not work without the module.

If you are doing a swap, basically the seat heater temp control is wired into the ZJs computer, so trying to wire these seat heaters into an XJ is not going to be simple.If you tried to wire them directly you might end up with a Jeep on fire.

I also read quite a bit about how the seat heaters fail - quite often it appeared to be a break in the wires under the seat due to poor location of the connections and also the light gauge wire used. Basically sitting on the seat was crimping/breaking the wire.

Here is a TSB about heated seats-

0800401B - HEATED SEAT - INOPERATIVE

Date: 12/20/01 (supersedes 0800401A dated 03/01)

Model Year(s): 1999-2004

Description: Heated seat inoperative. On some vehicles the heated seat may be inoperative due to an open circuit in the seat cushion heating element.

Details: This bulletin involves installing a kit to repair an open circuit in the heated seat heating element circuit. Using a digital ohmmeter, check the resistance across the four way heated seat feed connector under the seat. The resistance between terminals “A” and “B” should be 0.90 ohms to 1.90 ohms. If the resistance value falls outside of this range, perform the Repair Procedure.

NOTE: SOME VEHICLES USE CARBON FIBER HEATING ELEMENTS. CARBON FIBER HEATING ELEMENTS HAVE A RESISTANCE OF 10 TO 14 OHMS IN THE BOLSTER ELEMENT. SEATS WITH CARBON FIBER ELEMENTS HAVE TWO CONNECTORS AT THE BACK OF THE SEAT. A TWO WAY CONNECTOR AND A FOUR WAY CONNECTOR. CARBON FIBER HEATING ELEMENTS ARE NOT SERVICEABLE AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT COVER.

Parts required:

5019769AA Heated Seat Repair Kit (For cushion only, one kit per heating element, two per cushion)

5072485AA "peel & stick" Heating Element - Seat back (2001-up Vehicles, see Notes below. MSRP: $30.85)

5072486AB "peel & stick" Heating Element - Seat cushion (2001-up Vehicles, see Notes below. MSRP $46.50)

The heated seat repair kit, 05019769AA contains detailed installation instructions. Follow the instructions provided in the kit for installation. Refer to the 2002 Grand Cherokee service manual, publication number 81–370–02064, page 8G-14, for instructions on the replaceable heating elements, P/N 5072485AA and 5072486AA).

NOTES:

1999 Trim code DL: Use 5019769AA on vehicles built before Nov. 17, 1998. For 1999 model year vehicles built after Nov. 17, 1998 - replace seat cover.

2000 Trim code DL: Replace seat cover

2001 Trim code EL: Use 5019769AA for vehicles built before Sept. 18, 2000. Vehicles built after Sept. 18, 2000 - use replaceable heating elements - 5072485AA (seat back), 5072486AB (seat cushion).

2001 Trim code FL: Replace seat cushion for vehicles built before Sept. 18, 2000.



Here are some Diagrams-

 

I'm not swapping from an ZJ. I have an aftermarket carbon fiber element. Will this not work as well without the module and relay your talking about?

 

Im no heated seat guru, it seems like no one is, but thats what ive been reading.

I would check connections-

"Once you get a break in either the cushion or back element, the entire seat will not heat. This is because the heated seats module will automatically shut off if it detects an open or short in the circuit."

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HEATED SEAT ELEMENT
RESISTOR WIRE ELEMENT

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. The power seat wire harness connectors for the
seat cushion and seat back heating elements are
secured to a bracket located under the rear edge of
the seat cushion frame. Refer to Wiring for complete
circuit schematics and connector locations.
(2) Disconnect the Heated Seat Module (HSM) or
Memory Heated Seat Module (MHSM) C2 connector.
Check for continuity between the SEAT HEATER
B(+) DRIVER circuit cavity of the C2 connector and
the seat cushion frame. There should be NO continuity.
If OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, repair the shorted
seat heater B(+) driver circuit as required.

NOTE: WHEN CHECKING HEATED SEAT ELEMENTS
FOR CONTINUITY, BE CERTAIN TO MOVE
THE HEATING ELEMENT BEING CHECKED. MOVING
THE ELEMENT, SUCH AS SITTING IN THE SEAT
WILL ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF AN INTERMITTENT
OPEN IN THE ELEMENT WHICH WOULD
ONLY BE EVIDENT IF THE ELEMENT WAS MOVED
IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION. FAILURE TO CHECK
THE ELEMENT IN VARIOUS POSITIONS COULD
RESULT IN AN INCOMPLETE TEST.

(3) Check for continuity between the SEAT
HEATER B(+) DRIVER circuit cavity of the C2 connector
and the ground circuit cavity. There should be
continuity at all times (even upon moving or sitting
in the seat). If OK, proceed with testing the other
components in the heated seat system. If not OK,
replace the open heating element. Refer to the procedure
in this section of the manual.

 

I've never been to Iowa but it must get insanely cold to even need heated seats!

 

First your not missing much. While some states are much worse, we definitely do not have nice winters.

 

The best way I've found to resolve similar issues is to contact the manufacturer tech department. If the application is designed to fit your year/model vehicle the plug should be in place OR installation instruction included with the part. JMHOFWIW