Defender's heated seats not working

[HairyArse]

Hey guys.

My 1995 Defender 90 has some nice half leather seats with heating elements built in but not connected. As my heater is pretty rubbish I decided I'd quite like to wire them up.

I found this excellent guide from a guy who's done exactly the same thing and has exactly the same seats.

Brian Dorey.com | Wiring Land Rover Defender Heated Seats

I've got everything connected up, as far as I can tell perfectly. The switch's light comes on and off when switched on and off. I can feel the relay clicking on and off when I flick the switch. I can confirm that I'm getting 12v out from the connector on the seats but they just don't seem to heat up.

My first suspicions is that the heating elements could be knackered. The seats are in great nick but not brand new and I can't confirm that they do indeed work - I'm just assuming they do.

My second suspicion is that maybe there's a hidden thermostat or switch built into the seats that switches them on or off or regulates the temperature, though I can't see anything.

Any suggestions?

 

[HairyArse]

Oh and I wondered how easy it would be to strip the seats down and take the elements out and test them externally, though if I do that I'm worried I won't be able to secure everything back to how is was before I started.

 

[deaftonewonder]

any pics of the seats m8? some1 might know the type of elements used by the model of the car they came from?

the exmoor trim elements are waeco msh 50

retrimming the seats with some quality spray glue works a treat -thats how the factory do it.

 

[RAGNAR BENSON]

It's a good job you've got a hairy arse!

 

[HairyArse]

any pics of the seats m8? some1 might know the type of elements used by the model of the car they came from?

the exmoor trim elements are waeco msh 50

retrimming the seats with some quality spray glue works a treat -thats how the factory do it.

My seats are the same ones as in the link I provided. Not sure of the model or manufacturer.

 

[HairyArse]

It's a good job you've got a hairy arse!

True. But my girlfriend does not.

 

[deaftonewonder]

they look like standard seats with posh trims on.

in that case, remove the base, flip it over + peel the rubber retaining strip back, may be a string tied at the back -the cover will be stuck to the element which is stuck to the foam base -spray adhesive to refit.

the seat backs are easy too. behind the seat at the bottom, the 2 halves of the cover join in a rubber strip. remove the headrest to fully slip it off -again, spray adhesive to refit or they will look saggy.

 

[ratty]

If they are anything like my heated seats they only get warm and not hot. If I'm wearing my rescue clobber or a thick jacket it takes a while for the warmth to start to penetrate them.

 

[HairyArse]

They're definitely not generating heat. Left them on for 15 minutes and felt nothing.

Gonna try the other seat which will either confirm we've done something wrong or both seats are bollocksed.

I'm a bit reluctant to start ripping the seats apart to be honest.

 

[burrito]

I had the same problem and found a wire had come off the heater pad/thermostat thingy in the seat back.

 

[HairyArse]

So my 90 was in the garage this week for a replacement master cylinder and while it was in there I got them to test the seats. They say they're all working just fine but say that wiring them up the way I was doing is a fire hazard.

Not sure I necessarily agree with that to be honest. The one I attempted was fused, went through a relay and connected to a Carling on/off rocker switch. The guy at the garage said if I forgot to turn them off they could burn through the seats and that I should be looking at timed switches/relays and then started talking about running negative 12 volts through them.

So given that they apparently work and I've wired up everything but get nothing does anyone have any other suggestions?