R56 drivers heated seat not heating

[paultownsend]

Good evening all.

Drivers heated seat in our R56 N18 Cooper S is not heating at all. Until last week it was nice and toastie.
All 3 lights on the switch illuminate as normal. Passenger seat functions as normal.

Any pointers as to what to check would be much appreciated.

[rigga]

Moved the seat recently? Check plugs underneath are still together, fuse blown? After that multimeter and wiring diagram time.

[helix402]

A break in the mat itself will stop it working.

[Maracus]

I've recently noticed our N18 MCS has the same problem.

The Heated Seat light comes on for about 2-3 seconds then goes out. It won't go back on unless the car is restarted!

I'm going to try and find the issue this weekend. I hope it's a dodgy switch or relay, but I think it's probably internal to the seat.

[paultownsend]

So the heat has started working as usual but it has logged a fault code.

[Maracus]

paultownsend said:

So the heat has started working as usual but it has logged a fault code.

Same here! Not checked for a fault code though.

[paultownsend]

Bah humbug! The seat it working as it pleases. Sometimes barely warming up, sometimes not at all. Any ideas chaps?

[Rumblestripe]

Perhaps your arris is broken, get it checked...

[Maracus]

paultownsend said:

Bah humbug! The seat it working as it pleases. Sometimes barely warming up, sometimes not at all. Any ideas chaps?

Seems to be temperature related as it's been ok in ours until the cold snap yesterday and today - it's not working again!

Useful for when it's needed

[paultownsend]

It's strange that the back pad is heating up fine.

[paultownsend]

Hi all

Any ideas on how to diagnose?

Now the water pump tensioner and belt have been sorted, it's the only thing letting the car down.

[Maracus]

Pretty sure it's a dodgy connection somewhere in ours. It's been working fine for the past few weeks.

[helix402]

Unplug connector and check resistance, try pushing on seat and see if it changes. Compare to working seat.

[Ladyjane26]

I had the same problem with my 2015 SD Cooper. Despite contacting Mini UK and the dealership, they don't want to acknowledge this as a known fault, despite my giving them several links to forums detailing similar issues. Mini charged me £99 diagnostic fee to diagnose what I already diagnosed myself through looking at forums! Took my car into another garage who solved the issue and showed me photo of scorch marks (see below). Have reported it to DVSA as this should be a product recall surely. If I had asked Mini to repair, very much doubt I would've been shown the damage.

[PT1984]

We fixed it by selling it. Well, traded it in for a F56 MCS

[GRC70]

We now have the same problem in our F56 JCW - drivers side heated seat not working with the lights going out a few seconds after pressing the button. From what I’ve read it seems often the case that it’s the heating element itself or rather one of the three elements that need changed. Has anyone here managed to do this successfully without damaging their seat? Thanks

[PT1984]

Don’t say that. We replaced it with a F55! Which has been faultless. It’s a brilliant car.