T&C Seat Warmer Campaign

This past spring, I had my '99 T&C Limited into Chrysler to get the
clockspring and seat warmer campaigns taken care of. The passenger seat
had been working fine to that point, but the driver seat would get hot
very quickly. It had to be turned off within 2 minutes of operation to
save a very hot butt. The reworks took nearly all day, since it was one
of the first this dealership had done.

I was told at that time that the new design would be slower overall to
heat the seats. That was an understatement. The driver seat takes
nearly 10 minutes before one might move the control from High to Low. I
am not even sure that the passenger seat gets any warmer than the heat
provided by the butt sitting on it.

What experiences are others having with this campaign repair?

 

The old seat element is still attached to the seat cover. the wires were the
only thing removed. The new element is now attached to the seat cushion. It
is just a tape design element which now has to transfer the heat not only
thru the seat cover but now needs to go thru the old material seat element.
Thus making the seat take longer to warm up and possibly not as hot.

Hope this makes sense!!
Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

So Glenn
What actually is going wrong with them. My 99 still needs to have it done.
What are the pitfalls of ignoring it. Also wondering if you could get your
hands on the instructions for puting the cap on the strut tower. I
understand from the TSB that the instructions are in the box. I am debating
on attempting the repair myself but I'd like to see them posted maybe B4 I
attempt it.
Larry

 

You should have gotten the recall notice and it explains in there about what
could happen, I have seen some seat covers with burn marks in them but most
just become inop. The TSB does not give instructions. As you found out, they
are in the box. If your vehicle is within the provisions of warranty (rust
protection) have you talked to the dealer to see if it is covered?

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

I have GLenn and it is definitely out. It has over 175k on it. I know there
is a hardware kit and a special 2 part strutural adhesive. The job does not
look too awful bad but I have no clear cut idea of what is actually
necessary if the rust is getting more than cosmetic as mine has. I think if
I let it go it will last maybe 6 mos. more. Thing is I really like the
vehicle so would like to fix that and the rat nibble on the driver side rear
wheel well area. Cheapest quote I got from a place I would trust is $525 to
repair. Being the forever cheapskate I could save over half that by avoiding
the body shop and using the hardware kit and structural adhesive kits.
Larry

 

When I was with DC and the recall came out, I was based in a Canadian Zone.
We had one guy who complained before the recall came out, and the seat
warmer burned through the leather, and his pants. Not very pleasant. The
Service Rep sent the pants and entire seat to Detroit engineering. The
Service Rep even had the guy sit in the Van with those pants on to prove
they were from that area.

 

Hey!

Quit hijacking my thread. Start your own.

Strut tower repairs have nothing to do with Seat Warmers.

 

It almost sounds like something from a comedy movie ;-)
Larry

 

I used our 1999 T&C driver's side seat warmer today (outside temp was 10
degrees F) and it took exactly 7 minutes before I even felt the warmer was
on. This compares to about 1 or 2 minutes max prior to the seat recall
campaign. Seems consistent with your experience and Glenn's information. I
agree it renders them pretty useless for short trips to the store, etc.

Bob

 

I didn't HIJACK S^&T! I simply asked a trusted contributor to this group a
question! So get off it. As a matter of fact I asked him TWO questions one
of which dealt with SEAT WARMERS! So get your undies out of a bunch!
Larry

 

My 99 T&C had no burning issues before this recall and now I'm a bit
disappointed that I had it done. After the dealer did the recall, I was
convinced that the low setting was now not working at all. Further testing
showed about a 15 minute response - by that time it's not needed! As far as
I'm concerned, the option does not function as intended any more.

Has anyone had the process reversed by the dealer?

Will

 

Thank you for your courtesy. I would be nice of you to brush up on net
etiquette.

 

Good luck!