Heated Seats turning on & off randomly

[Saratoga]

I have a 2003 Tahoe in which the driver's side seat back heat turns on and off randomly. I'll be driving around and the heat just turns on automatically. After I shut it off it comes back on, sometimes in 30 seconds, sometimes not for 30 minutes.

Is it a switch? a control module? Heating element?

Can I just add a relay to the power supply to the heating elements? That way even if the seat heat switch continues to randomly turn on, no power will go to the heating elements unless I flip the relay switch. Just thinking that adding a relay might be cheaper and easier than finding the real problem?

 

[03tahoe2012]

alot of people hit the button with their knuckles....

 

[Saratoga]

I thought it was from me accidentally hitting it the first 100 times it came on. I've had the vehicle for 6 years but this issue started occurring this past Summer and now happens every time I drive the car.

 

[03tahoe2012]

hmmmm it might be an exposed wire somewhere.

 

[chauncey0337]

Could possibly be the switch but maybe try disconnecting the battery, for 30 mins I think, first to reset everything. Just a guess.

 

[1fatho]

I dont know about hitting it that often, theyre close to the windows but not that close. And when you have heated seats on, chances are very likely that you will not be having your window down.

I know like on long trips when I have it on for a while it will shut off automatically like after an hour or less of being on. Maybe what ever relay does that is having issues in yours. I have no idea how you would begin to fix that though.

 

[chauncey0337]

disregard this post.

 

[ATL]

mine does the same thing, but seems to only happen when i have left my windows cracked on a really humid day

 

[M3PO]

I thought I read somewhere this is a common issue and has something to do with the dealer updating some control module under the seat. I am not really 100% sure though, I don't want to send you guys on a witch hunt, but this is what I remember and it sounds like 2-3 of you have the same issue.

 

[robrr44]

I'm having the same issue. Driver side only and only when seat back AND bottom are on at the same time. Seat back only and its fine. Shuts off by itself after 10 seconds, sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes never. Any ideas?