Problem with Heated Seat Switch
10-29-2008, 01:38 PM
#1
Problem with Heated Seat Switch
I have a 2001 Maxima SE with heated leather seats. Towards the end of last winter my driver's side heated seat switch stopped lighting up and my butt started getting cold. I removed the switch, made sure all the wires were connected (yes they were), and came to the conclusion that the switch must be dead. Now it is getting cold again, and I was looking to see if anyone knew the Nissan part number for the heated seat switches? Thanks in advance.
10-29-2008, 06:53 PM
#5
My seat does not get hot in either position. I'm hoping that my problems is related to the switch and not the seat's heating element. I guess I should probably swap the passenger switch with the driver switch before ordering one of these $53 switches!
10-29-2008, 07:28 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 1,329
I'm not sure if you can swap them. I seem to remember that when I tried to do it with my I30 that the connectors where different. (unfortunately in my case the problem was the heating element in the seat had gone bad. My seat is still cold for two years now since I have no idea on how to go about fixing the element.)
10-29-2008, 07:31 PM
#7
I'm not sure if you can swap them. I seem to remember that when I tried to do it with my I30 that the connectors where different. (unfortunately in my case the problem was the heating element in the seat had gone bad. My seat is still cold for two years now since I have no idea on how to go about fixing the element.)
According to the FSM, however, both connectors and pinouts are identical, so
10-29-2008, 09:22 PM
#9
11-13-2008, 06:17 AM
#10
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 34
I took the switch apart, completely apart, and there's not much to break there. There's some contacts, that I cleaned, and the little bulb. I'm assuming my bulb burnt out, as it doesn't work. Otherwise, nothing to break in that switch, so doubt getting a new one will do anything. I'll take apart the one with working bulb and swap the bulbs to see if it'll get the low heat working too.
Last edited by calllka; 11-14-2008 at 08:55 AM.
11-13-2008, 03:18 PM
#11
These driver's side heated seat switches seem to be defective...mine hasn't lit up since I got my car, but the passenger side switch lights up. It kind of bothers me, but at least the heated seat works.
11-14-2008, 08:12 PM
#12
11-15-2008, 06:19 PM
#14
Believe it or not the only reason the part numbers are different is because there is an arrow on each switch that points to the seat it controls. So if you put the passenger side switch on the driver side it will still work but the arrow will point toward the passenger seat. Below is a picture of what I'm describing.
11-19-2008, 08:22 AM
#15
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 57
I have a 2001 Maxima SE with heated leather seats. Towards the end of last winter my driver's side heated seat switch stopped lighting up and my butt started getting cold. I removed the switch, made sure all the wires were connected (yes they were), and came to the conclusion that the switch must be dead. Now it is getting cold again, and I was looking to see if anyone knew the Nissan part number for the heated seat switches? Thanks in advance.
Today morning it was 24 and after switching on the heated switch to high the bulb went off(did not lit) and no the seat didn't got warmer at all. Also this is happening if I select the switch to low setting.
But if I turn both of them to off (Switch in middle position) both bulbs would lit.
The passenger side seems to be working fine.
Anyone could help me out here
11-28-2008, 04:34 AM
#17
Common Problem
I have a 2001 SE and the light on the driver side went out, the passenger side stills lights up and works. The driver side only works now and then. I have not tore it apart to see what is up but it seems like a common problem??
11-28-2008, 05:02 AM
#18
I had this problem a while ago, But my problem was a little different. Only the lower back panel would heat up on the passenger side. Only one of the lights worked, but 3 of the four heating elements worked.
I took it apart, there are four contacts when you take the switch apart, (a lot like taking a remot apart, plastic clips that may easily break if do it wrong) If memory serves me, there are flat copper pieces bent so that they spring downward onto the contacts. I was able to clean these with a sharp flat-head screwdriver and an eraser. then I bent down the prongs (opening the angle) and all was fixed! light and pads. years later it has turned into an issue again, so I will take it apart and try this process once more
I took it apart, there are four contacts when you take the switch apart, (a lot like taking a remot apart, plastic clips that may easily break if do it wrong) If memory serves me, there are flat copper pieces bent so that they spring downward onto the contacts. I was able to clean these with a sharp flat-head screwdriver and an eraser. then I bent down the prongs (opening the angle) and all was fixed! light and pads. years later it has turned into an issue again, so I will take it apart and try this process once more
11-28-2008, 04:16 PM
#20
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 57
I had this problem a while ago, But my problem was a little different. Only the lower back panel would heat up on the passenger side. Only one of the lights worked, but 3 of the four heating elements worked.
I took it apart, there are four contacts when you take the switch apart, (a lot like taking a remot apart, plastic clips that may easily break if do it wrong) If memory serves me, there are flat copper pieces bent so that they spring downward onto the contacts. I was able to clean these with a sharp flat-head screwdriver and an eraser. then I bent down the prongs (opening the angle) and all was fixed! light and pads. years later it has turned into an issue again, so I will take it apart and try this process once more
I took it apart, there are four contacts when you take the switch apart, (a lot like taking a remot apart, plastic clips that may easily break if do it wrong) If memory serves me, there are flat copper pieces bent so that they spring downward onto the contacts. I was able to clean these with a sharp flat-head screwdriver and an eraser. then I bent down the prongs (opening the angle) and all was fixed! light and pads. years later it has turned into an issue again, so I will take it apart and try this process once more
Could you please take some snaps if you happen to clean it again. Thanks
11-29-2008, 03:14 PM
#21
I had the same problem few years ago and it also seemed that heating element doesn't work. Well, it was working just fine according to the current going through it so it was pure psycological thing: if my wife didn't see the light she couldn't feel the heat 
. I went ahead and replaced the bulb with small resistor (SMD type, 100 Ohm) and small orange LED. It's been working fine ever since.
. I went ahead and replaced the bulb with small resistor (SMD type, 100 Ohm) and small orange LED. It's been working fine ever since.
11-30-2008, 01:11 PM
#23
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Posts: 18
I just installed the heater elements yesterday in a 97 and it wasn't too bad. I had to cut a bunch of little clips that secure the seat cover the to seat cushion (on the top of the seat where you sit down, but it wasn't too bad and I figure that I don't really need them anyways, so I didn't replace them, only the ones on the underside of the seat).
Unfortunately, my seats don't appear to be working and I don't know what's the matter. It's all detailed in my post in this thread (http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...t-install.html) if anyone is feeling nice and wants to help me out.
Thanks and good luck!
Unfortunately, my seats don't appear to be working and I don't know what's the matter. It's all detailed in my post in this thread (http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...t-install.html) if anyone is feeling nice and wants to help me out.
Thanks and good luck!
12-16-2008, 09:43 AM
#26
I took it apart, there are four contacts when you take the switch apart, (a lot like taking a remot apart, plastic clips that may easily break if do it wrong) If memory serves me, there are flat copper pieces bent so that they spring downward onto the contacts. I was able to clean these with a sharp flat-head screwdriver and an eraser. then I bent down the prongs (opening the angle) and all was fixed! light and pads. years later it has turned into an issue again, so I will take it apart and try this process once more
Do you have to take off the entire... armrest console to get to the switches?
12-16-2008, 12:46 PM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Washington DC Metro Area
Posts: 108
they pop out real easy, just pry up either the front or back with a standard screw driver.
Mine went out some time ago, and i just went to a junkyard and picked up about 4 of them for like $2.
P.S. the passenger side and driver side switches are actually different (other than the picture/arrow on the top). One switch is actually longer (i guess you can say "deeper") than the other and has a blue connection. Once you pull them out you will see what i'm talking about.
Mine went out some time ago, and i just went to a junkyard and picked up about 4 of them for like $2.
P.S. the passenger side and driver side switches are actually different (other than the picture/arrow on the top). One switch is actually longer (i guess you can say "deeper") than the other and has a blue connection. Once you pull them out you will see what i'm talking about.
03-03-2009, 06:47 PM
#29
Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 54
i just bought my car last week and i have the same issue. my lower back seems to get hot should the seat be to? the driver side switch dosent light up but the passenger side does. my wife said hers was hot but she is retarted and couldnt tell me if it was her back or seat and back. can anyone help me out. i also have a intake question if anyone can help ne please shoot me a pm.
03-04-2009, 08:58 AM
#30
i ahve an 00se and the lights dont work either the seats still do i really wana fix it tho and make them blue! its a really simple switch so im assuming its just a faulty light from nissan
04-13-2009, 09:16 PM
#31
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 105
I posted a while back. You can fix the light in the switch for about 50 cents!. Radio Shack has a 12 volt mini lamp that fits perfectly. The switch pops apart and the bulb is held in by its wires, no soldering, nothing. Just open the switch, un-twist the old bulb wires and twist on the new one. It took me about 5 minutes to replace the bulb.
The light has nothing to do with the actual heating. The seats should get warm even with a light out.
The light has nothing to do with the actual heating. The seats should get warm even with a light out.
04-14-2009, 03:31 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 601
of course they have 2 diff numbers. Look at the picture inked on them. One indicates right one left. If u use same part number then you will have both switches pointing to one side
04-22-2009, 02:42 PM
#36
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 20
fix switch
hey, this might sound funny but when I had the same problem a I was so annoyed cause it was the summer I had invested much time in "hookin up" my ride so one could only imagine the look on my face when the switch light was'nt illuminated and the seat wouldn't heat. I bang the livin light out of the switch & guess wut my rage work for the beast after all the damn thing started working once again!!
10-10-2012, 08:36 PM
#37
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 136
I don't know about 01 SE, but on my 00SE, these two switches are asymmetric, passenger side plug is smaller.
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