Weird Seat Heater Fuse Issue

[MantanaB6]

I just picked up a B6 S4 (I know this is the A4 zone but I've got one of those too and this question is relevant for both). Since it's been chilly here in NE I decided to crank up the seat heater. Well I noticed the seat never heated up. I think "maybe the fuse is toast, I'll check that first". Lo and behold, there isn't a fuse in spot 44. So I say out load to myself cuz I'm a crazy person "great, I'll pop in a 30A fuse and be good to go!". That's when things take a turn. I pop in the fuse, but it's super loose in the slot (story of my life). I proceed to shine my hi-tech flashlight (iPhone) in there and notice there doesn't seem the be any electrical leads. Has anybody experience this issue before? I'm going to drop the panel below the steering column to see if I can figure out what's going on, but it's raining out right now so that'll have to wait. Just wanted to see what the people think.


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[5ktq]

I'm gonna go ahead and guess that either the legend is wrong (ie. it's not actually at 44), or you read it wrong... and are messing with some vacant slot.

[MantanaB6]

Here are some photos. Fairly sure I'm reading this correctly...






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[5ktq]

Yeah you are. maybe the sticker is incorrect. I'll check bentley and my car in a bit when i get a chance.

Seems more likely than the wires falling out of the fuse box? or maybe PO pulled it out

[5ktq]

Ok checked my car. it has same sticker. fuse is present.

There should be a red/white wire from the fuse '44' up to the climate control head (fairly thick one). Pop the panel below drivers wheel and see if the wire fell out somehow.. i guess?

can't say I've ever seen one just like.. fall out and the fuse disappear though

[4Star312]

anyone know what that Trunk Socket fuse is?

[BoostFreeak]

Im going to guess that the previous owner replaced the climate control due to it peeling and replaced it with one with heated seats even though your car came from the factory without heated seats. I would check for wiring on the backside of the fuse panel, and possibly check under your seats to see if they are truly heated seats or not.

[MantanaB6]

Im going to guess that the previous owner replaced the climate control due to it peeling and replaced it with one with heated seats even though your car came from the factory without heated seats. I would check for wiring on the backside of the fuse panel, and possibly check under your seats to see if they are truly heated seats or not.

That's what I'm figuring at this point. A little disappointed as he didn't mention anything about it not having heated seats (even though the controls are present), and I live in a cold climate where I use them all the time in my A4. I'll check under the seats to see. If they are in fact not heated, there will probably be a set of non-heated sliver recaros for sale pretty soon here...

[eljay]

Doesn't the plug into the heated seat switch provide the light to the roller control? If yes, and it lights up, it would indicate that a plug is connected. Also, if you raise the seat high enough, you should be able to check with a mirror underneath to see if it has a green plug on it indicating heated seat element being present. It's certainly possible, but would be unusual to have an S4 without front heated seats unless it was originally sold somewhere in the South.

[MantanaB6]

Doesn't the plug into the heated seat switch provide the light to the roller control? If yes, and it lights up, it would indicate that a plug is connected. Also, if you raise the seat high enough, you should be able to check with a mirror underneath to see if it has a green plug on it indicating heated seat element being present. It's certainly possible, but would be unusual to have an S4 without front heated seats unless it was originally sold somewhere in the South.

I believe the switches light up... don't remember for sure but feel like them not lighting up is something I would notice. Flip side is I also believe the car was originally sold in Alabama, so cold weather package isn't a gurantee...

[MantanaB6]

Heated seat control definitely lights up, but don't see green plug under seat...




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[5ktq]

I would think power for the illumination of the climate control module is wholly independent of power to/from seat elements. Like .9999 sure.

[MantanaB6]

I would think power for the illumination of the climate control module is wholly independent of power to/from seat elements. Like .9999 sure.

I feel the same way.


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[Tugboatguy]

Do you have controls for the rear seats at the back of the center console? If you have an S with heated seats the back seats should be as well.

[MantanaB6]

Do you have controls for the rear seats at the back of the center console? If you have an S with heated seats the back seats should be as well.

I think that is only the case for the B7's. I could be wrong though? Definitely don't have rear seat heaters...

[deyrag]

Can't you just run the VIN and see what options it came with?

[MacFady]

I think that is only the case for the B7's. I could be wrong though?

You are. It may be a US/ROW thing but my USP has heated seats front and rear with independent rear controls, came with cold weather package. I'm going to check my fuses later and get back to you. I seem to remember while trying to sort something else out that there are options on my car that are fully functioning but do not have fuses in the slots depicted on the card (one may have been heated seats), and I know that type of thing has not been modded on my vehicle.

[MantanaB6]

You are. It may be a US/ROW thing but my USP has heated seats front and rear with independent rear controls, came with cold weather package. I'm going to check my fuses later and get back to you. I seem to remember while trying to sort something else out that there are options on my car that are fully functioning but do not have fuses in the slots depicted on the card (one may have been heated seats), and I know that type of thing has not been modded on my vehicle.

The only reason I suspected the B6 S4's don't have heated rear seats is I know for a fact Audi only offered heated rear seats in 2002 model year B6 A4's (I have one with heated rear seats). I just assumed since they get rid of the heated rears for the A4 they also got rid for the S4. I don't actually know whether this is true or now. And I know nothing about B7's.

That being said, I have determined I don't have heated seats and just the cc module was replaced. So at some point before next winter I will be doing a heated seat swap. There are plenty of previous discussions on how to do that, so I think this conversation can be over. Thanks for everybody's input.


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[MacFady]

...I know for a fact Audi only offered heated rear seats in 2002 model year B6 A4's

That "fact" is not correct (? fake news ). As I said, that may be a US thing, but I have a 2005 B6 USP Avant and it came with heated seats front and rear from the factory.

[MantanaB6]

Well I am in the USA and yes it is a USA thing. Sorry I should have clarified. In the USA, only 2002 B6 A4's had rear heated seats (if they had the cold weather package). Although I had a friend in Alberta with a 2005 and he only had front heated seats. Could the rear heated seats be ordered as a stand alone option (or add on to cold weather package) in Canada perhaps?


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[MacFady]

Well I am in the USA and yes it is a USA thing. Sorry I should have clarified. In the USA, only 2002 B6 A4's had rear heated seats (if they had the cold weather package). Although I had a friend in Alberta with a 2005 and he only had front heated seats. Could the rear heated seats be ordered as a stand alone option (or add on to cold weather package) in Canada perhaps?


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Not trying to side track this thread but to answer your question, maybe your Alberta friend ordered front heated seats without getting the cold weather package? I don't have the window sticker, but I think in Canada standard CWP included heated seats front and rear, ski pass through with built in ski bag, heated drivers door lock, audi sport all weather matts.

[MantanaB6]

Not trying to side track this thread but to answer your question, maybe your Alberta friend ordered front heated seats without getting the cold weather package? I don't have the window sticker, but I think in Canada standard CWP included heated seats front and rear, ski pass through with built in ski bag, heated drivers door lock, audi sport all weather matts.

It's pretty bullshit that they got ride of the rear heated seats on the cold weather package down here. One the the main reasons I want to keep my 2002 A4. And swap RS4 seats into my S4... although I guess B7 S4 rear seats (and maybe some or all B6 S4 rears) could be had heated. I'm going to look at a heated set out of a 2005 this weekend so I'll report back.


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[eljay]

I can confirm the theory. My 2005 came from the US and has front heated seats and ski bag option, but not rear heated seats.

I picked up a set of Recaros with rear heated seats and I am contemplating hooking them up. If only the Kufatec harness didn't cost 100 Canuckian bucks plus the cost of the rear control panel. :(

[MantanaB6]

I can confirm the theory. My 2005 came from the US and has front heated seats and ski bag option, but not rear heated seats.

I picked up a set of Recaros with rear heated seats and I am contemplating hooking them up. If only the Kufatec harness didn't cost 100 Canuckian bucks plus the cost of the rear control panel. :(

Yea I'd like to get heated front and rears eventually. If I plan an making this S4 a long term car then that is definitely on the mod list since most of the performance mods I would do are already taken care of (minus manual swap and timing guides but those are in the big job bucket...). Just need to get the little things dialed like heated seats all around and a B7 center console for some functional cup holders!

I thought the rear harness was a separate OEM piece that could be purchased from places other the Kufatec?

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[Tugboatguy]

I can confirm the theory. My 2005 came from the US and has front heated seats and ski bag option, but not rear heated seats.

I picked up a set of Recaros with rear heated seats and I am contemplating hooking them up. If only the Kufatec harness didn't cost 100 Canuckian bucks plus the cost of the rear control panel. :(

My Canadian market 04 avant sport has front and rear heated seats No ski bag...

[EuroxS4]

Im surprised a s4 doesnt have heated seats.Most of those cars came loaded with options.I dont think i've seen one without.The legend for the fuse box is generic they list all available locations so they dont have to print different stickers for every car based on options.Green plug your looking for should be in the floor with the other connectors.If you want pm me your vin ill be able to check pr codes to verify wether you have heated seats or not.