C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

Seat heater failure and DIY repair

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Old 10-12-2014, 09:19 PM
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I just fixed my driver side seat warmer with the aftermarket Campion set. Thanks for the write ups!
Old 10-13-2014, 03:37 PM
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Looks much simpler than I thought! I may have to give this a whirl in the future. Problem is - I rarely use the seat heaters because I don't drive my car in the winter. But there are those cooler spring and fall days...
Old 10-14-2014, 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Rowdypants
After reading what SLacKer32 and others wrote, I opted to do the seat heater repair on my c32, using aftermarket heating elements. Took about 2 hours per seat after all was said and done; did one yesterday and one today. Anyway, I wrote up exactly how I did it in case it could help any of you -- see my attached 2 page PDF. Big thanks to you forum members for all the info that was on MBWorld. Because of you all, I was able to fix my heated seats for $77 total, rather than $1500 at the dealer! And this repair should last a lot longer, since it doesn't use the lousy MB heater elements which always break, especially if you kneel on your front seats. (I kneeled exactly one time per front seat, each time it broke the butt heater!) Oh, and I should mention: I am definitely no electrician or pro or mechanic. I'm a newbie amateur. This is simply a summary of how I did it, and a summary of everything I learned from reading all sorts of forums and other research. I have no idea if this is the best way to do it or if my car will catch fire tomorrow. Use these instructions at your own risk, of course. ALSO: I took some pictures along the way. If you want to see them, they are here: http://rowdypants.imgur.com/all/
I used this PDF. Very straight forward and probably took me an hour to do.
Old 10-14-2014, 08:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Saaboteur
Looks much simpler than I thought! I may have to give this a whirl in the future. Problem is - I rarely use the seat heaters because I don't drive my car in the winter. But there are those cooler spring and fall days...
I use my car in the winter as its my only car. Even if you use it every now and then those leather seats are super cold! I also like everything to work in my car Just go do it ... the Campion seat heater kit is 85USD and you get two of them. I believe they are carbon fiber so they should last much longer than the stock ones. My passenger heater works great, but my guess is because it hasn't been used as much.
Old 10-14-2014, 01:07 PM
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Gonna add it to the 'to do' list for the C55 - engine mounts, front control arms, crank sensor...
Old 11-29-2015, 04:43 PM
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83 500SEC, 87 300D, 02 C32(x2), 02 C320T (x2), 03 C320T4, 03 C320T, 03 E55, 05 E320CDI, 06 E320CDI
I find myself in the same boat here as I now own SIX of these confounded seats (2 C32's and a pair in my C320) and 6/6 have inoperative seat bottoms as well as 1/6 inop seat back. I had repaired the C32 seat bottom 2x in my C320, which the first time initially worked well (was broken in 5 places) but did not work again the following year. Second attempt (2 places broken) at it got it working again also but would literally almost burn a hole in your butt at the rear of your left cheek so it is now unplugged.

I was thinking of trying a kit such as
Amazon.com: Dorman 628-040 Universal Seat Heater Kit: Automotive Amazon.com: Dorman 628-040 Universal Seat Heater Kit: Automotive
and seeing how well or bad it works for the cost.
from reading posts here it seems the carbon elements are they way to go. Might even give these a shot for $25 and prime shipping:
Amazon.com: Crimestopper HSK150 Deluxe Heated Seat Kit: Automotive Amazon.com: Crimestopper HSK150 Deluxe Heated Seat Kit: Automotive
Old 12-04-2017, 12:46 AM
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Originally Posted by johnhef
I find myself in the same boat here as I now own SIX of these confounded seats (2 C32's and a pair in my C320) and 6/6 have inoperative seat bottoms as well as 1/6 inop seat back. I had repaired the C32 seat bottom 2x in my C320, which the first time initially worked well (was broken in 5 places) but did not work again the following year. Second attempt (2 places broken) at it got it working again also but would literally almost burn a hole in your butt at the rear of your left cheek so it is now unplugged.

I was thinking of trying a kit such as Amazon.com: Dorman 628-040 Universal Seat Heater Kit: Automotive and seeing how well or bad it works for the cost.
from reading posts here it seems the carbon elements are they way to go. Might even give these a shot for $25 and prime shipping: Amazon.com: Crimestopper HSK150 Deluxe Heated Seat Kit: Automotive
Hey John, long time no see! I was surprised to see that someone had 3 of these cars, until I read the username. Now it all makes sense. I'm having the same issue with my SLK32 seats. What did you end up doing? Do you have any recommendations for brands/specs for the heat elements? It sounds like the solder repair is pretty temporary, so I guess it's best to do the aftermarket approach with carbon fiber. It's just a bit of a bummer that it takes longer and doesn't get as hot.
Old 10-12-2018, 12:46 PM
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83 500SEC, 87 300D, 02 C32(x2), 02 C320T (x2), 03 C320T4, 03 C320T, 03 E55, 05 E320CDI, 06 E320CDI

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