07 Denali 2500HD DMaxx heated seat inop. Unsure of mileage at this point.

Same neighbor as previous post with another of the many trucks he has. Told me heated seat was inop on drivers seat. Said he'd had it checked at the dealer awhile back and they said bad wiring as power was there up until the aeatq. I think he wants it changed a little cheaper than the dealer as we all do.

I can't remember if I read somewhere or what but correct me if I'm wrong. IF the wiring in the heat element in the cushion is bad then doesn't the entire seat cover have to be replaced as I thought the element is part of the seat?

This is a information gathering to hopefully help expedite the repair as he said he wants me to come look at it tonight or tomorrow.

Any input is appreciated. I Do plan on verifying it initially with the thermal imagers then the appropriate checks for proper power supply, etc. Just am trying to get a little jump on it in case anyone has any pointers, suggestions or advice from dealing with these.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

The heated seats I have worked on are all powerd side switched. There are two types of heating element the tradditional type used wire elements the more modern design use carbon panels. Generally each seat draws around 7 amps at intial switch on and this falls as the heat builds up.
The wire type have bi-metal thermostat over heat cut-off switches sandwiched between the element and the foam, one on the backrest and one on the squab. I am not sure if these are fitted the carbon panel type.
*******ISTR the back rest and squab are connected in series so a break in one knock the heat from both out.********
The wire type are more likely to fail due to the heating element wire breaking.
How replaceable these elements are depends on how the manufacturer constructed the seat I know on for example Land-Rover it it is do able but difficult. With the seat out of the vehicle it is usually possible to follow the wiring into the seat as far as the bi-metal switches which are located near lower edge of te back rest and rear edge of the squab These bi-metal thermostat switches ar every cheap parts which you can find on ebay some manufacturers use 30 c thermosts but 40c is also used and sometimes retro-fitted by owners.

Personally if the supply and ground was good to both sides the seat connector I would consider a junkyard seat rather than a repair.

If the seat covering looks removeable and more importantly neatly replaceable I would consider fitting an aftermarket carbon pad heating element.