Seat Temperature Element: Description and Operation

Heated Seats Description and Operation

Heated Seat Components

The driver and passenger heated seats consist of the following components:

* Left heated seat switch

* Right heated seat switch

* Radio/HVAC controls

* Seat heating control module

* Driver seat cushion heating element

* Driver seat back heating element

* Driver seat cushion temperature sensor

* Passenger seat cushion heating element

* Passenger seat back heating element

* Passenger seat cushion temperature sensor

Power and Ground

Battery positive voltage is supplied at all times to the seat heating control module through a fuse located in the rear body fuse block. This voltage is used by the module to supply power to the seat heating elements. Ground is provided through the vehicle and seat wiring harnesses to the module.

Heated Seat Operation

The driver and passenger heated seats are controlled by a single seat heating control module that is located under the driver seat cushion. Both heated seats are controlled by separate heated seat switches that are located in the radio/HVAC controls. When a heated seat switch is pressed, a serial data message is sent from the radio/HVAC controls to the HVAC control module indicating the heated seat command. The HVAC control module then serves as a gateway to transmit the message to the seat heating control module via the serial data line. In response to this signal, the seat heating control module applies battery positive voltage through the element supply voltage circuit to the appropriate seat heating elements. The seat heating control module then sends a serial data message back to the HVAC control module to gateway the information to the radio/HVAC controls to either illuminate or turn off the appropriate temperature indicator.

Temperature Regulation

When the engine ON, the heated seats will initialize in the OFF state. With each activation of the heated seat switch, the seat heating control module will cycle the temperature setting in the following manner: HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW, and OFF.

The seat heating control module monitors the seat temperature through the temperature sensor signal circuit and the temperature sensor (thermistor) that is located in the seat cushion. The temperature sensor is a variable resistor, it's resistance changes as the temperature of the seat changes. When the temperature sensor resistance indicates to the seat heating control module that the seat has reached the desired temperature, the module opens the ground path of the seat heating elements through the heated seat element control circuit. The module will then cycle the element control circuit open and closed in order to maintain the desired temperature.

Load Shed Management

The electrical power management function is designed to monitor the vehicle electrical load and determine when the battery is potentially in a high discharge condition. The heated seat system is one of the vehicle loads that is subject to reduction during a battery discharge condition. For more information on load management refer to Electrical Power Management Description and Operation Description and Operation.