GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Aids

Due to the design of the heated seat switch and heated seat module, an open in the switch ground circuit may cause the heated seat and heated seat indicators to be inoperative only when the headlamps are turned ON. The heated seat switch illumination and mode indicator circuits are internally connected to the switch ground circuit. The switch ground circuit then connects to the heated seat module ground circuit at inline connector C300. If the ground circuit opens between the switch and the connector, a partial failure occurs in which the heated seat and heated seat indicators operate when the headlamps are OFF, but not when the headlamps are ON. Turn the headlamps ON prior to verifying system and indicator operation in order to ensure that the correct diagnosis is made.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step helps to pinpoint the specific nature of the failure. Turning the headlamps ON prior to verifying the presence of a symptom will help to determine if the failure may be caused by an open switch ground circuit.

  2. This step continues to isolate the failure. Turning the headlamps ON prior to verifying indicator operation will help to determine if the failure may be caused by an open switch ground circuit.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Heated/Cooled Seat Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Power Seat Connector End Views

1

Did you review the Heated Seat System Description and Operation and perform the necessary inspections?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Heated Seats Description and Operation

2

Important: Turn ON the headlamps before performing the following steps.

  1. Turn ON the ignition.
  2. Operate the heated seat switch in the 1, 2, and OFF switch positions.

Does the heated seat system operate normally?

--

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

Go to Step 3

3

Important: Turn ON the headlamps before making the following observation.

Do the heated seat switch indicators operate normally?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Disconnect the heated seat switch connector.
  2. Connect a test lamp from the accessory voltage circuit terminal in the harness connector to a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 18

5

Connect a test lamp from the accessory voltage circuit terminal to the ground circuit terminal in the heated seat switch harness connector.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 19

6

  1. Disconnect the heated seat module connector C1.
  2. Connect a test lamp from the heated seat module battery positive voltage circuit terminal in the harness connector to a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 20

7

Connect a test lamp from the battery positive voltage circuit terminal to the ground circuit terminal in the heated seat module harness connector.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 21

8

Connect a test lamp from the accessory voltage circuit terminal in the heated seat module harness connector to ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 22

9

  1. With a DMM measure the voltage from the heated seat switch signal circuit terminal in the harness connector to ground.
  2. Operate the heated seat switch in the OFF, 1, and 2 switch positions.

Is the voltage at or near the specified value in the 1 and 2 switch positions only?

12 V

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

10

Test the heated seat switch signal circuit for an open or a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 14

11

  1. Disconnect the seat cushion heater element connector to the heated seat module.
  2. Test the resistance through the seat cushion temperature sensor.

Is the resistance within the specified values?

2-10 K ohms

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 16

12

Test the resistance through the seat cushion heater element.

Is the resistance within the specified values?

0.5-2.0 ohms

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 16

13

  1. Disconnect the seat back heater element connector to the heated seat module.
  2. Test the resistance through the seat back heater element.

Is the resistance within the specified values?

0.5-2.0 ohms

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 17

14

Inspect for poor connections at the heated seat switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 23

15

Inspect for poor connections at the heated seat module. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 24

16

Inspect for poor connections at the seat cushion heater element connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 25

17

Inspect for poor connections at the seat back heater element connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 26

18

Repair the accessory voltage circuit to the heated seat switch for an open or short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

19

Repair the heated seat switch ground circuit for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

20

Repair the battery positive voltage circuit to the heated seat module for an open or short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

21

Repair the heated seat module ground circuit for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

22

Repair the accessory voltage circuit to the heated seat module for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

23

Replace the heated seat switch. Refer to Heated Seat Switch Replacement .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

24

Replace the heated seat module. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

25

Replace the seat cushion heater element. Refer to Driver or Passenger Seat Cushion Heater Replacement .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

26

Replace the seat back heater element. Refer to Driver or Passenger Seat Cushion Heater Replacement .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

27

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

--

System OK

Go to Step 2