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Hello everyone, I have recently purchased a 1990 xjrs, the heated seats dont seem to work although the lights come on on the switches, and the driver side lumber control switch works the passenger side seat? and vice versa?? can anyone advise some simple checks. help would be much appreciated.
thanks. tim

Under the centre console there is a wiring loom for each set of switches. It's possible to swap them around. Has the car been apart and perhaps put back together the wrong way round? The centre console is not too hard to take out. You may get away with just taking out the ski slope to see which way round it is connected. Once the ski slope is off you should be able to push the seat switches out. Be very careful when you take the ski slope out that you don't break any of the little plastic tabs behind the cigar lighter and cruise control switch mountings.

As for the heated seats, When I refurbished the seats on my 1989 V12 Coupe I found that there was a soldered connection to the thermostat inside the seat base. The solder had been broken (probably by my fat behind!) so I resoldered it. It was quite a job to take the seat apart and get to the part involved.

My seat heaters now work but I don't find them as effective as those in my XF or my wife's Discovery so I don't think you're missing much!

thanks david i will try that.

Tim - did you have any luck with this?

PS - good to meet you the other day. Your car is very interesting with its mix of pre and post facelift electrics!

I havent had the chance yet david been too busy with work and the kids. As soon as i get a chance ill be in touch probably for an idiots guide on what to do!
ps. it was nice to meet you aswell i was also very impressed with your convertible, its immaculate. young joe loved it too and now wants me to swap mine for one of those. may have to start saving.
thanks

Tim- you can tell Joe that yours is much faster! Get in touch if you need any guidance on getting into your centre console.
Regards
David

Hi,

The connection to the heater element in the seat is liable to snap (rather than the plug). Mine broke just from removing the seat! I would agree that the heated seat performance is poor compared to other vehicles. Far more effective to rely on the heat transfer from the transmission tunnel to keep warm if fault finding is likely to be hassle!

Rich.

...I would agree that the heated seat performance is poor compared to other vehicles.
...

FWIW, my '91 facelift V12's heated seats strike me as pretty effective, and definitely faster to heat than those on my '08 XJ TDVi. Maybe there are some duff connections somewhere.