Seat Heater Element

Replace the heating element in the driver or passenger seat cushion by removing the seat from the vehicle, disassembling the seat cover and foam, and installing a new heater element.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Seat heater element × 1 — Use OEM specification for affected seat position
• Hog rings (if damaged during removal) × 1 — Stainless steel upholstery hog rings
• Seat cover retaining clips (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park the vehicle on level ground and engage the parking brake.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable and wait at least 2 minutes for airbag system discharge.
3. Move the seat to the full forward position for easier access to rear mounting bolts.
4. Lower all windows to prevent accidental door lock engagement with battery disconnected.

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect seat electrical connectors
   Reach under the seat and locate the electrical connector(s) for the seat heater and any other seat functions. Press the release tab and disconnect each connector. On seats with multiple connectors, label them or photograph their positions for reinstallation.
2. 2

   Remove seat mounting bolts
   Locate the seat mounting bolts securing the seat to the floor rails. Remove all mounting bolts using the appropriate driver. Verify the exact fastener count and head type (metric socket or Torx) against the factory service manual for this specific vehicle before proceeding. Support the seat while removing the final bolts to prevent it from shifting. Support the seat while removing the final bolts to prevent it from shifting.
3. 3

   Remove seat from vehicle
   Carefully lift the seat assembly out of the vehicle. The Viper has a relatively tight cockpit, so angle the seat as needed to clear the door opening and center console. Place the seat on a clean work surface with the seating surface facing up.
4. 4

   Test heater element for fault confirmation
   Before disassembly, use a digital multimeter set to resistance (ohms) mode. Access the heater element connector and measure resistance across the heater element terminals. A functioning element should read within the manufacturer-specified resistance range (verify the exact value in the service manual); an open circuit (infinite resistance) or very low resistance (short circuit) confirms element failure. Record the reading to verify the new element after installation.
5. 5

   Remove seat back cover fasteners
   If the heater element is in the seat cushion (most common), you may need to partially release the seat back cover to access cushion hog rings. Locate and remove any plastic retaining clips or fasteners at the rear of the seat back bottom edge. These are typically pressed-fit clips that can be pried carefully with a trim tool.
6. 6

   Release seat cushion cover hog rings
   Turn the seat upside down or angle it to access the underside of the seat cushion. Locate the hog rings securing the seat cover to the seat frame around the perimeter. Using hog ring pliers, carefully compress and remove each hog ring. The number of hog rings around the cushion perimeter varies; count and document them during removal for accurate reassembly. Work systematically around the seat to avoid damaging the leather.
7. 7

   Separate seat cover from foam
   Once all hog rings are removed, carefully peel the seat cover away from the foam cushion. The heater element is typically adhered to the underside of the seat cover or sandwiched between the cover and foam. Work slowly to avoid tearing the leather or damaging any remaining intact heater element wiring that routes through the foam.
8. 8

   Remove damaged heater element
   Locate the defective heater element, which will be a thin mesh or grid of heating wires encased in fabric or plastic film. It may be adhered with double-sided tape or light adhesive. Carefully peel the old element away from the seat cover or foam. If necessary, use a heat gun on low setting to soften adhesive, taking care not to damage the leather. Disconnect any wire connectors or routing clips.
9. 9

   Clean installation surface
   Remove all remaining adhesive residue from the seat cover or foam using isopropyl alcohol and a clean cloth. Ensure the surface is completely clean and dry before installing the new element. Inspect the seat foam for any damage or compression issues; replace foam if necessary.
10. 10

    Install new heater element
    Position the new heater element in the same location as the original, ensuring proper orientation with the wire connector positioned to route through the seat foam to the underside. If the element has adhesive backing, remove the protective film and press firmly into place. If not pre-adhesive, apply appropriate double-sided upholstery tape to secure the element. Ensure the element lies flat with no wrinkles or folds.
11. 11

    Route heater element wiring
    Route the heater element wiring through the seat foam to the underside where it will connect to the vehicle harness. Use the original routing path and secure with any clips or ties that were originally present. Ensure wiring does not interfere with seat frame movement or create pressure points that could damage the wire.
12. 12

    Reinstall seat cover over foam
    Carefully position the seat cover back over the foam cushion, aligning all edges and ensuring the leather is properly seated in all contours. Work methodically to avoid creating wrinkles or misalignment. Ensure the heater element remains flat and does not bunch up during this process.
13. 13

    Secure seat cover with hog rings
    Using hog ring pliers, install new or reuse original hog rings to secure the seat cover to the seat frame. Start at one corner and work around the perimeter, pulling the cover taut but not overstretched. Install hog rings in the same locations as original, spacing them evenly to distribute tension. Ensure equal tension around the entire seat to prevent sagging or bunching.
14. 14

    Test heater element before final installation
    Before reinstalling the seat in the vehicle, use the multimeter to verify the new heater element resistance matches the manufacturer-specified range. If possible, temporarily connect the seat harness and battery to perform a functional test, allowing the element to heat for 1-2 minutes to verify operation. Disconnect battery again before final installation.
15. 15

    Reinstall seat assembly in vehicle
    Carefully lift the seat and position it back into the vehicle, angling as needed to clear the door opening. Align the seat mounting brackets with the floor rail bolt holes. Hand-thread all mounting bolts to ensure proper alignment before final tightening. Torque all seat mounting bolts to the factory-specified value from the service manual for this vehicle.
16. 16

    Reconnect electrical connections and test
    Reconnect all seat electrical connectors under the seat, ensuring each connector clicks fully into place. Reconnect the negative battery cable. Turn the ignition to the ON position (engine off) and test the seat heater function. The seat should warm noticeably within 2-3 minutes on the high setting. Test all heat settings if multiple levels are available.

Reassembly

1. Torque all seat mounting bolts to manufacturer specification using a torque wrench.
2. Verify all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked before testing.
3. Ensure no tools or parts are left in the vehicle before closing doors.

Verification

• Turn on the seat heater and verify the seat surface warms evenly across the cushion within 2-3 minutes.
• Check for any unusual odors, sounds, or sensations that might indicate improper installation.
• Verify the seat heater indicator light (if equipped) illuminates when the heater is activated.
• Inspect the seat cover for proper tension with no sagging, bunching, or misalignment.
• Cycle through all heater settings to confirm proper operation at each level.

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