1997 Legacy Outback Wagon: Heated seats no longer heat

[Franklin Bowen]

Not sure when they stopped working but my wife REALLY misses her heated
seats. :-(

So I broke out our Haynes manual and found that they have NO information
on the winter package, which includes the heated seats. I checked all
the fuses I could find (a box under the hood, one box above the clutch,
and a couple "loose" under the steering column) and they all tested good.

Any idea what to check next? Any place I can find schematics and
information for the winter package?

Thanks!

 

[johninky]

Not sure when they stopped working but my wife REALLY misses her heated
seats.  :-(

So I broke out our Haynes manual and found that they have NO information
on the winter package, which includes the heated seats.  I checked all
the fuses I could find (a box under the hood, one box above the clutch,
and a couple "loose" under the steering column) and they all tested good.

Any idea what to check next?  Any place I can find schematics and
information for the winter package?

Thanks!

I would unplug the heating element under the seat and check to see if
voltage was making it that far. If there is voltage at the plug then
most likely the element in the seat is toast. No voltage at the seat
then maybe the switch is bad. Another good place to test the
circuit. Don't think you have the side impact airbags but if you do,
don't mess with any of the yellow connectors under the seat.

 

[John]

Not sure when they stopped working but my wife REALLY misses her
heated seats. :-(

So I broke out our Haynes manual and found that they have NO
information on the winter package, which includes the heated seats. I
checked all the fuses I could find (a box under the hood, one box
above the clutch, and a couple "loose" under the steering column) and
they all tested good.

Any idea what to check next? Any place I can find schematics and
information for the winter package?

Thanks!

Sometimes the fusebox for the added winter items is below the existing
fuse box by your left knee. You need to look behind the dash trim
panel, its awkward but may be there.

 

[Franklin Bowen]

Thanks for the replies John & Johninky!

I thought it unlikely that BOTH heaters would go out at the same time.
Besides, the lights on the console switches did not even come on!

I pulled out the dash below the steering column and did find the
additional small fuse box for the heated seats and did measure +12
there. So I pulled the center console panel out (a lot easier than I
thought) and someone had simply forgotten to plug the wires back into
the switches! Grrrrrrr!

So, problem fixed. Thanks again for the replies.

 

[Jeff]

Thanks for the replies John & Johninky!

I thought it unlikely that BOTH heaters would go out at the same time.
Besides, the lights on the console switches did not even come on!

I pulled out the dash below the steering column and did find the
additional small fuse box for the heated seats and did measure +12
there. So I pulled the center console panel out (a lot easier than I
thought) and someone had simply forgotten to plug the wires back into
the switches! Grrrrrrr!

So, problem fixed. Thanks again for the replies.

What other fuses are in there, I also have the winter package and the
rear defogger stopped working. I did find a fuse under the hood that
was ok. 2002 Outback. Thanks Jeff

 

[John]

What other fuses are in there, I also have the winter package and the
rear defogger stopped working. I did find a fuse under the hood that
was ok. 2002 Outback. Thanks Jeff

Same place