Driver Heated Seat Not Working

[HamSnacks]

2011 Limited

Driver's side isn't working, the little amber light does not come on. Checked the fuses, checked the plugs underneath the seat as best I could, just made sure nothing was unplugged.

Is it common for the actual switch to go bad? Don't want to buy a $120 switch and it turns out not to be the issue.

Any other things to check?

Passenger side works great.

Thanks

 

[Bossman]

Maybe some tips in this 4th Gen thread (I had the driver's side seat heater stop working on my 03 Limited).

Troubleshooting Heated Seat

It could be that simply the amber bulb in the switch is burnt out, but it likely is the switch. I would also check the connection at the switch (center console) first before ordering a replacement.

 

[fkheath]

2011 Limited

Driver's side isn't working, the little amber light does not come on. Checked the fuses, checked the plugs underneath the seat as best I could, just made sure nothing was unplugged.

Is it common for the actual switch to go bad? Don't want to buy a $120 switch and it turns out not to be the issue.

Any other things to check?

Passenger side works great.

Thanks

Swap the switch for the driver's side with the passenger's side. If the problem changes to the other side, it is the switch. If not, it could be the relay or wiring.

 

[HamSnacks]

Maybe some tips in this 4th Gen thread (I had the driver's side seat heater stop working on my 03 Limited).

Troubleshooting Heated Seat

It could be that simply the amber bulb in the switch is burnt out, but it likely is the switch. I would also check the connection at the switch (center console) first before ordering a replacement.

I'll take a look, thank you.

Swap the switch for the driver's side with the passenger's side. If the problem changes to the other side, it is the switch. If not, it could be the relay or wiring.

What's annoying is that they're 2 different plugs, I took them both out, they can't be plugged into the other seat.

 

[spartacus]

You can also use a multi meter and test the function of the switch by probing the pins in the connector.

 

[HamSnacks]

Just thought I'd update this in case anyone in the future had the same problem.

So I pulled out the Driver's heated switch, unplugged it and then took it apart, it's fairly easy to pull apart, just need a flat head and have to run it along 1 side. I realized there was a little gold metal piece that was out of place, it sits on a plastic piece near the dial. I had to bend the board back a bit to make some room and then simply Krazy glued the metal piece where it was supposed to sit. Just like that, working again. If anyone ever runs into that problem and needs more detailed instructions, send me a PM.

Thank you

 

[Muskrat14]

You can also use a multi meter and test the function of the switch by probing the pins in the connector.

As a kid, my dad would make me watch him trouble shoot electrical circuits on all his old cars. Boring fkr me. Now I wish I would’ve paid attention. Don’t know squat!


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[czgunner]

Unplug the heater grid and ohm check it. If it show open/infinite your grid is bad. If it's OK, good chance the switch is bad. Pretty simple to test to see if there is voltage coming out of the switch when you turn it on.

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[11 4Runner]

Just thought I'd update this in case anyone in the future had the same problem.

So I pulled out the Driver's heated switch, unplugged it and then took it apart, it's fairly easy to pull apart, just need a flat head and have to run it along 1 side. I realized there was a little gold metal piece that was out of place, it sits on a plastic piece near the dial. I had to bend the board back a bit to make some room and then simply Krazy glued the metal piece where it was supposed to sit. Just like that, working again. If anyone ever runs into that problem and needs more detailed instructions, send me a PM.

Thank you

Hey running into same problem can you detail more about how you did this, does the circuit board pop out?

 

[CutthroatSlam]

2011 Limited

Driver's side isn't working, the little amber light does not come on. Checked the fuses, checked the plugs underneath the seat as best I could, just made sure nothing was unplugged.

Is it common for the actual switch to go bad? Don't want to buy a $120 switch and it turns out not to be the issue.

Any other things to check?

Passenger side works great.

Thanks

I know you got it fixed, but just so you know, there are other options than Toyota’s $120 switch:

Motosupply A Pair Rectangle Hi-Off-Low Seat Heater Switch Left and Right Heat Control Switch

 

[Captain Spalding]

I know you got it fixed, but just so you know, there are other options than Toyota’s $120 switch:

Motosupply A Pair Rectangle Hi-Off-Low Seat Heater Switch Left and Right Heat Control Switch

Has anyone tried these? The rotary switches are annoyingly easy to turn on by accident and it might be worth the $20 to avoid the aggravation.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Has anyone tried these? The rotary switches are annoyingly easy to turn on by accident and it might be worth the $20 to avoid the aggravation.

They came with my seat heater kit and they work great.

 

[Captain Spalding]

They look good. Any idea how to mate them to the factory wiring? It says above that the factory switches aren’t wired the same.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

They look good. Any idea how to mate them to the factory wiring? It says above that the factory switches aren’t wired the same.

No, but it should be easy to figure out. Post #184 has some pics of my wiring. It’s all simple plugs.

Seat Heater Install

 

[Captain Spalding]

Thanks. But judging by this wiring diagram, I’m going to have more wires than I know what to do with.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Looks about the same.