Heated Seat Element Description; Operation; Diagnosis And Testing - Heated Seat Elements; Heated Seat System - Chrysler Dodge Caravan 2002 Manual

RS
DRIVER HEATED SEAT SWITCH (Continued)
(2) Install and tighten the three screws that secure
the heated seat switch to the back of the instrument
panel center bezel. Tighten the screws to 1.5 N·m (13
in. lbs.) (Fig. 4).
(3) Install the center bezel onto the instrument
panel. Refer to Instrument Panel Center Bezel in
the Body section for the procedure.
(4) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
HEATED SEAT ELEMENT
DESCRIPTION
The heated seat system includes two seat heating ele-
ments in each front seat, one for the seat cushion and
the other for the seat back. The two elements for each
seat that are connected in series with the Heated Seat
Module (HSM). The temperature sensor is a Negative
Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor. One temper-
ature sensor is used for each seat, and it is located on
the seat cushion heating element for all models.
The seat heating elements are sewn into the seat
cushion cover trim and seat back cover trim units.
The heated seat elements and the temperature sen-
sor cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or
damaged, the seat element assembly must be
replaced. Refer to the procedure in this section.

OPERATION

The heated seat elements resist the flow of electrical
current. When battery current is passed through the
elements, the energy lost by the resistance of the ele-
ments to the current flow is released in the form of
heat. The temperature sensor is a NTC thermistor.
When the temperature of the seat cushion cover rises,
the resistance of the sensor decreases. The heated seat
module supplies a five-volt current to one side of each
sensor, and monitors the voltage drop through the
sensor on a return circuit. The heated seat module
uses this temperature sensor input to monitor the
temperature of the seat, and regulates the current
flow to the seat heating elements accordingly.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HEATED SEAT
ELEMENTS
The wire harness connectors for the seat cushion and
seat back heating elements are located under the seat,
at the heated seat module. For circuit descriptions and
diagrams, refer to section 8W, Wiring Diagrams.
In order to access and test the heated seat ele-
ments it will be necessary to remove the appropriate
front seat retaining bolts and lay the seat rearward,
up against one of the rear seats. It is not necessary
to disconnect the seat electrical connectors, just use
care not to damage the attached wire harnesses
while testing.

HEATED SEAT SYSTEM

NOTE: WHEN CHECKING HEATED SEAT ELE-
MENTS FOR CONTINUITY, BE CERTAIN TO MOVE
THE HEATING ELEMENT BEING CHECKED. MOV-
ING THE ELEMENT, SUCH AS SITTING IN THE SEAT
WILL ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF AN INTER-
MITTENT 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.
SEAT CUSHION ELEMENT
(1) From under the vehicle, remove the appropri-
ate seats four retaining nuts.
(2) From inside the vehicle, pull the seat up, off
the mounting studs and lay it back, up against one of
the rear seats.
(3) Locate the heated seat module, attached to the
bottom of the seat cushion pan. Remove the heated
seat module from the seat cushion pan. Do not dis-
connect the electrical connectors at this time.
(4) Locate the green 4-way electrical connector,
connected to the heated seat module. Disconnect the
green 4-way connector from the heated seat module.
(5) Check for continuity between the two outboard
circuit cavities of the wire harness connector (Pins
1&4). There should be continuity. If OK, refer to
Heated Seat Module Diagnosis and Testing in the
Electronic Control Modules section of the service
manual for complete system testing procedures. If
not OK, install a replacement heated seat cushion
element. Refer to the procedure in this section.
SEAT BACK ELEMENT
(1) From under the vehicle, remove the appropri-
ate seats four retaining nuts.
(2) From inside the vehicle, pull the seat up and
off the mounting studs and lay it back, up against
one of the rear seats.
(3) Locate the heated seat module, attached to the
bottom of the seat cushion pan. Remove the heated
seat module from the seat cushion pan. Do not dis-
connect the electrical connectors at this time.
(4) Locate the gray 2-way electrical connector, con-
nected to the heated seat module. Disconnect the
2-way connector from the heated seat module.
(5) Check for continuity between the two circuit
cavities of the 2-way wire harness connector. There
should be continuity. If OK, refer to Heated Seat
Module Diagnosis and Testing in the Electronic Con-
trol Modules section of the service manual for com-
plete system testing procedures. If not OK, install a
replacement heated seat back element. Refer to the
procedure in this section.
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