Burnt Drivers Seat From Heat Warmer
10-27-10, 11:17 AM
#1
Burnt Drivers Seat From Heat Warmer
i searched over all the issues with seats i have seen but i didnt come across a thread like this....BTW am i ever gonna have any issues that other people normally have. i would think out of the 2-3 major/big issues i have VERY few people have had them or they aren't common problems.
well here's another one...
the other day i was driving to work and i smelled something burning and i swore i saw a small patch of smoke,i looked around and i couldn't place it. i saw nothing that wasn't working correctly or was burnt out so i forgot bout it and went on with my business.
the next day i get in my car and i notice the end of my seat (under/approximately where my right leg rests) is burnt and i started thinking about what could have done this since i dont smoke, my gf doesn't smoke and NOONE has driven my car in months except a valet a few weeks ago and i brush all these off as surely i woulda smelled it had the valet been smoking in my car and im kind of perplexed. i forgot about it till yesterday when im driving to my gf's house and its kinda chilly so i pop the seat warmers and turn my heat on......
well very shortly after i start smelling this burnt smell again and it immediately comes back to my mind that my seat is burnt so i reach under my right leg and put my hand on this spot and sure enough, this area is HOT and burning and smoking....needless to say i quickly turned the seat warmer off. although my seats arent in bad shape,im thinking a seat warmer element broke (which is weird as normally when a element breaks it wont do anything) or something inside my driver seat as the passenger seat doesnt do this??? i dunno guys,what do you think or has anyone ever heard of this or had a issue like this.
no im perplexed on what to do, here's my thoughts especially considering i want to use my seat warmer. what do you'll think i should do?
1)Contact corp/local dealer and see if something will come of it
2)not use my seat warmers (which to me isnt a option i like)
3)replace seat with a used seat with a seat warmer
4)replace seat with a used seat without a seat warmer and add one....
so what do you'll think?
BTW here are some pics
and just a pic showing my seats arent all torn up and ragged
well here's another one...
the other day i was driving to work and i smelled something burning and i swore i saw a small patch of smoke,i looked around and i couldn't place it. i saw nothing that wasn't working correctly or was burnt out so i forgot bout it and went on with my business.
the next day i get in my car and i notice the end of my seat (under/approximately where my right leg rests) is burnt and i started thinking about what could have done this since i dont smoke, my gf doesn't smoke and NOONE has driven my car in months except a valet a few weeks ago and i brush all these off as surely i woulda smelled it had the valet been smoking in my car and im kind of perplexed. i forgot about it till yesterday when im driving to my gf's house and its kinda chilly so i pop the seat warmers and turn my heat on......
well very shortly after i start smelling this burnt smell again and it immediately comes back to my mind that my seat is burnt so i reach under my right leg and put my hand on this spot and sure enough, this area is HOT and burning and smoking....needless to say i quickly turned the seat warmer off. although my seats arent in bad shape,im thinking a seat warmer element broke (which is weird as normally when a element breaks it wont do anything) or something inside my driver seat as the passenger seat doesnt do this??? i dunno guys,what do you think or has anyone ever heard of this or had a issue like this.
no im perplexed on what to do, here's my thoughts especially considering i want to use my seat warmer. what do you'll think i should do?
1)Contact corp/local dealer and see if something will come of it
2)not use my seat warmers (which to me isnt a option i like)
3)replace seat with a used seat with a seat warmer
4)replace seat with a used seat without a seat warmer and add one....
so what do you'll think?
BTW here are some pics
and just a pic showing my seats arent all torn up and ragged
Last edited by sakataj; 10-29-10 at 01:52 PM.
10-27-10, 02:37 PM
#5
Heated seats are nice in the cold weather, even down here in FL when it gets cold, as rare as that is, it still is a nice peace of mind to be able to warm your tush.
Never run into what you're dealin with though. Just something else to add to your parts list.
Never run into what you're dealin with though. Just something else to add to your parts list.
10-28-10, 09:41 AM
#6
i guess noone has run into what im dealing with as im not getting alot of ideas/thoughts from people
yeah im looking around for some in case i do need to buy one BUT the ? really is whats causing this and will lexus actually do something about it since its DEF a safety hazard?
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10-28-10, 01:43 PM
#9
Forum Administrator
iTrader: (2)
I'd speak with your dealer or Lexus Corp, but assume since your GS is nine years old and modified I don't think you're going to get any free help.
You've been doing extensive electrical stuff on it with your stereo build, haven't you? Anything changed like an upgraded alternator?
Might be worth looking to see if a piece of the seat heater wiring isn't broken causing that.
Another thought... a 2001 doesn't have airbags there does it?
You've been doing extensive electrical stuff on it with your stereo build, haven't you? Anything changed like an upgraded alternator?
Might be worth looking to see if a piece of the seat heater wiring isn't broken causing that.
Another thought... a 2001 doesn't have airbags there does it?
10-29-10, 09:25 AM
#10
iModerate
I got your PM Brian. What to do really depends on what time and energy you want to invest.
There is no way to know what caused it without opening up the seat. At that point you could repair or replace what ever has failed. You could also upgrade to an aftermarket model that has multiple heat levels. My WRX has this factory and I love it.
If you do not want to repair it replace it with another factory heat seat. This may cost more but will be much faster and easier.
Contacting Lexus is all about how much time you want to spend on it. A coworker of mine has a 99 GS300. The brake booster went out last year. He called and bugged them about the cost of the part. They sent him a check for $800.00 to cover it. All he paid was labor. It can be done if you have the time for it.
There is no way to know what caused it without opening up the seat. At that point you could repair or replace what ever has failed. You could also upgrade to an aftermarket model that has multiple heat levels. My WRX has this factory and I love it.
If you do not want to repair it replace it with another factory heat seat. This may cost more but will be much faster and easier.
Contacting Lexus is all about how much time you want to spend on it. A coworker of mine has a 99 GS300. The brake booster went out last year. He called and bugged them about the cost of the part. They sent him a check for $800.00 to cover it. All he paid was labor. It can be done if you have the time for it.
10-29-10, 11:54 AM
#14
I'd speak with your dealer or Lexus Corp, but assume since your GS is nine years old and modified I don't think you're going to get any free help.
You've been doing extensive electrical stuff on it with your stereo build, haven't you? Anything changed like an upgraded alternator?
Might be worth looking to see if a piece of the seat heater wiring isn't broken causing that.
Another thought... a 2001 doesn't have airbags there does it?
You've been doing extensive electrical stuff on it with your stereo build, haven't you? Anything changed like an upgraded alternator?
Might be worth looking to see if a piece of the seat heater wiring isn't broken causing that.
Another thought... a 2001 doesn't have airbags there does it?
i have been doing extensive electrical work and yes i did upgrade my alternator to a 320 amp HO alternator but i wouldnt think it would effect this little element and if it would, why not both? its ONLY the drivers side doing this.
no the airbags on the 2001+ are on the side of the seat facing the outside world, the side of the car over the top of the door, the a pillar and the steering wheel and dash
I got your PM Brian. What to do really depends on what time and energy you want to invest.
There is no way to know what caused it without opening up the seat. At that point you could repair or replace what ever has failed. You could also upgrade to an aftermarket model that has multiple heat levels. My WRX has this factory and I love it.
If you do not want to repair it replace it with another factory heat seat. This may cost more but will be much faster and easier.
Contacting Lexus is all about how much time you want to spend on it. A coworker of mine has a 99 GS300. The brake booster went out last year. He called and bugged them about the cost of the part. They sent him a check for $800.00 to cover it. All he paid was labor. It can be done if you have the time for it.
There is no way to know what caused it without opening up the seat. At that point you could repair or replace what ever has failed. You could also upgrade to an aftermarket model that has multiple heat levels. My WRX has this factory and I love it.
If you do not want to repair it replace it with another factory heat seat. This may cost more but will be much faster and easier.
Contacting Lexus is all about how much time you want to spend on it. A coworker of mine has a 99 GS300. The brake booster went out last year. He called and bugged them about the cost of the part. They sent him a check for $800.00 to cover it. All he paid was labor. It can be done if you have the time for it.
i have all the time in the world ESPECIALLY to contact corp about this, i will start working on it next week since im on vacation till next thurs starting today @ 5.
i contacted darrel at sewell to ask his thoughts/opinions on this but i havent heard back from him yet and i may not at all, who knows if he can even comment on something like this
im a square, i dont do drugs. although i do like a drink from time to time just not in the car of course
Last edited by sakataj; 10-29-10 at 01:54 PM.