So I have an 03 with a heated steering wheel. Now that it is getting cold enough to use it, I tested it yesterday, and it heated up and got pretty toasty real quick. But after like a minute, it shut off and went cold. Is this normal, or do I need to look into why its doing this?

 

I had no idea as I have a 4th Gen... But I do know how to use the search function, and no I didn't stay at a holiday Inn last night.

Seems that it's getting so hot that it's triggering the auto shut-off as others typically get this after approximately 10 minutes. Take a look around there's probably more info on it.

Good luck

 

Mine does the same thing, but not quite as quick as a minute. I'm sure it's got a thermal protection, but after it shuts itself off it doesn't like to come back on for a while which sucks. I haven't found anything useful in the FSM about it's complete operation, but supposedly it's supposed to remain on for 30 minutes. The switch remains lit, but the steering wheel doesn't stay heated. What I do is I cycle it on and off myself. I let it heat up a bit and then I turn it off, and when it starts to cool to a point where it's too cool I turn it on again. Frustrating, but that's how I deal with it. These steering wheels aren't cheap either

 

its normal, and the best option on the car..well except for the hsld

 

Wow, thanks for the helpful post Maybe I did search, and didn't see any useful information, and is why i started a post. perhaps I should respond to your posts with "why dont you look on google, im not sure about your issue, but theres probably more info out there"

 

Also, FYI the light never turns on on the switch itself, dont know if its just burnt out, or part of a larger problem

 

Mine behaves much the same way, although it does stay heating for more than a minute.
Its definately an internal thermostat because before it starts cooling down it does get quite toasty.

Likely the light is burnt out on your switch but I believe its operating normally, just cycle it on and off as other members have already suggested.

 

I actually went ahead and tried mine this morning (yeah, it was in the 50's down here in "saunaland") and it behaved much as the other members here have replied:

My switch light came on, steering wheel got pretty toasty, and after I'd guess 3-5 minutes, it cooled off, all the while the switch stayed lit, finally turning off after 15 minutes or so. I didn't find the rather short cycle time all that annoying, as by then the interior of the car was warm enough for comfort.

 

B