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Thread: timer for heated seats?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    6

    Default timer for heated seats?

    On my '92 525i, the driver's side heated seat will come on, but then stut off after only 5 seconds. The fuse is good, and the passanger heated seat works fine. Is there a timer or something that possibly went bad? What else should I be looking for? The cold weather is right around the corner. High of 40 degrees on Sunday!

    Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    central coast nsw au
    Posts
    1,221

    Default

    How do find out if u have heated seats. I know it sounds like a stupid question.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    6

    Default There is a lighted toggle switch on the side of the seat

    near the center console.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Hockinson, Washington
    Posts
    2,499

    Default

    The heat certainly shouldnt turn off after 5 minutes (as you know). Perhaps there is a relay somewhere that is bad or something, im sure someone who know will read your post. I nearly always turn my seat heat on high untill it get uncomfortably hot, then switch it over to low.
    Lowered with blue h&r(?) springs, Bilsteins, tint, 19# design 3 injectors, Dual Magnaflow
    southwest WA

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Calgary AB Canada
    Posts
    589

    Default

    Later cars use a timer type switch with momentary action rather than the fixed switches on the earlier cars. This is an improvement since the heaters automatically switch off when you turn off the car, whereas the earlier one is easy to forget. Next time you get in the car you may not want the heaters on.

    I believe the timer is in the switch itself.


    Quote Originally Posted by Alexlind123
    The heat certainly shouldnt turn off after 5 minutes (as you know). Perhaps there is a relay somewhere that is bad or something, im sure someone who know will read your post. I nearly always turn my seat heat on high untill it get uncomfortably hot, then switch it over to low.
    Anthony
    03/64 production

    '91M5 - 11/90, was mine, it's Jim's now.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    central coast nsw au
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    1,221

    Default

    ty

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    6

    Default I think you might be right about the timer being in the switch

    I looked over the wiring diagram in my Bentley manual, and I didn't see a timer or a relay. All that I could see that could go bad is the switch or the fuse. Being the fuse is good, maybe it is time for a new switch?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Calgary AB Canada
    Posts
    589

    Default

    If it was mine, I'd take the old switch apart and see what's inside before forking out for a new one. If there is any kind of timer circuitry it could be as simple as a bad capacitor or a fractured solder joint. If you dismantle yours, take some pictures and post them for reference.

    FWIW, I'd be interested to see if the timebase could be adjusted since mine kicks to low a bit too soon when it's really cold outside.

    Quote Originally Posted by jebjk1
    I looked over the wiring diagram in my Bentley manual, and I didn't see a timer or a relay. All that I could see that could go bad is the switch or the fuse. Being the fuse is good, maybe it is time for a new switch?
    Anthony
    03/64 production

    '91M5 - 11/90, was mine, it's Jim's now.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    6

    Default Good idea... I will take it apart to see what I find.

    I will definitely post some pics of my findings. I know an electical engineer that maybe can help with increasing the amount of time before is changes over to the low setting too. Mine is the same way (when it was working) where it would kick out of high too early.

    Thanks for your help.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Posts
    3,395

    Default

    The switches really aren't serviceable -- I've taken apart a few of them and they never seem to go back together in working condition (if they were even close to working in the first place). You have the newer style switch that Anthony is talking about. Just get replacements. I think Mbo had a set for sale a while back -- I was going to buy them but my "new" seats had working ones, so...

    Best, whit

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