I've got a pretty minor problem, but here in MN it means a little more than further south. I'm afraid my driver's side seat heater is going on the fritz! The indicator light has stopped working, & it seems that the low setting no longer works. Thankfully, it still works on high (but not the light). Everything's fine w/ the passenger side. Anybody else have this experience? The only other car I've had w/ a seat heater was a '82 Volvo, & that heater went out constantly! I'm hoping that's not the case here. Anybody have any experience w/ this?
I know it'll be covered by warranty (2k1 bought 5/01), but as it's the only problem I've got, & I bought the car an hour out of town, I hate to have to deal w/ a dealer, expecially one from whom I didn't buy the car.

Bill T

 

I have found that the low setting is only slighty warmer than the off position. There has been the odd time when it seems to be putting out a tiny bit of heat even in the off position though, so maybe mine is not working also. The high position is so freakin' hot that it's only good for a temporary warm up of the old gluteus maximus. I have to turn it off before my cheap Wal-mart 3-for-a-dollar underwear burst into flames.

The 2002 steering wheel has the same crazy set-up. I had to turn it off before my cheap vinyl $5 Zellers gloves melted.

 

Same problem occured 2 days ago on my 2K Max. Light do not work on both positions, but heat is still there. Seems to heat like hell though since that time in High position. I have now to put it in off position before going in flame. Passenger switch is fine.

I am going to the dealer for 30K maintenance this week and I will see if it is still on warranty.

I'll keep you posted on the problem (probably only the light... unless the heating symptom is related)

 

have had faulty switches. it's mostly likely just the switch.

 

I had the same problem on our '99 Maxima GLE. The actualy heaters worked on both positions, but the light wouldn't come on the switch. Dealer replaced it for free since it was under warranty without any hassles.

 

That's no joke about the seat getting too hot. I wonder if anybody has wrecked their Max due to spontaneous combustion. The heated steering wheel would be nice though. My low setting doesn't get too hot either but then again I didn't know I had a low setting until just recently.

 

Sorry about that man! I hope you get it fixed soon.

 

Yeah, stay away from the chili and bean burritos if your going to use the seat heater.

 

I looked at your profile and see that you are from MPLS. I have had nothing but great experiences at Feldmann's Imports in Bloomington. They have always done a great job without any hassles and they do a nice hand wash when they are done...just a suggestion.

 

Bill,
That fix will take about 10 minutes at the dealer. I had the switch go on my drivers side less than 6 months after purchase of my 2K1 AE SE. The lights stopped working and it did not heat. My dealer was great about doing the fix. And what everyone here is saying about the heat difference is too true! That's my hot face not my mad face. Unlike my '98 SE the 5th Gens are comfortable on low and frickin frickasee'n your rear on high. As said earlier it works for a good warm up. I've started my car on single digit days recently and the seat on high still gets hot in less than 3 minutes. Of course, the lights dim and an EMF pulse shoots throughout the neighborhood

Best of luck!!

 

Same thing happened to me, and one day while I was driving home, I avoided a pothole and my elbow hit the switch. Needless to say the switch works now. Try pushing the button down hard towards the rear.

 

Thanks for everyone's responses. Turns out low still works. I knew it was sometimes hard to tell, & with the relatively nice weather her in Mpls recently I was finally able to check it without a heavy coat & could feel the heat. And I sure agree, the high setting if left on too long could leave one with a crispy keister! I usually don't leave it on more than 5 or 10 minutes max.
The light still doesn't work, I'll try to push it hard, but expect to have to take it in for warranty repair.
Regarding Feldmann's in Bloomington - I've taken my '92 Max there in the past, as the place I bought it from in Fridley went out of business shortly after my purchase. Feldmann's does give good service, & the wash is nice. With the Mercedes dealership there as well you sometimes see familiar faces there - once saw Chris Doleman (Vikings) & Doug West (T'wolves) there talking while waiting for their cars.
I bought my 2k1 Max at Miller Nissan in St. Cloud for $400-$600 better than any Twin Cities dealer offered, including Feldmann. Feldmann salesman was easy to deal with, upfront re pricing, but couldn't beat Miller. I hope to be able to use Feldmann for warranty work (& car wash!).

Bill T