Heated seats and mirror issue new to me 03 Escalade

[keith2k455]

So I recently picked up an '03 Escapade with 100k on it for a tow and vacation rig.

The other day in the snow the mirror kept flashing all dashes and resetting. The lights on the mirror also seemed dim. When sitting at stoplights it was fine though. Didn't do it on the way home though. What could cause this...ground or alternator? Would like some help on where to look.

Truck also wil kick off both front heated seats after the passenger one is on for less than a minute. What may be the culprit here?

Any ideas appreciated

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Heated seats and mirror issue new to me 03 Escalade

I would first take it to a shop that has the a GM enhanced code reader that can read the codes out of all the modules in your car. There are many modules that will set codes that won't show the CEL. Could be a door module and/or a body control module.

 

[keith2k455]

Re: Heated seats and mirror issue new to me 03 Escalade

I wonder if the zone has that advanced scanner. I took it to the dealer after I bought it to have it checked out ... Didn't ask for codes to be checked. Had to replace some hoses and seals, but this wasn't happening at that time

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Heated seats and mirror issue new to me 03 Escalade

I wonder if the zone has that advanced scanner. I took it to the dealer after I bought it to have it checked out ... Didn't ask for codes to be checked. Had to replace some hoses and seals, but this wasn't happening at that time

99.9% sure they won't.

Every car manufacturer has a huge set of their own codes besides the generic ones. Toyota, GM, Ford...and all the others. I personally own a scanner where I purchased a license for the Toyota. I spent $150 just for the license in addition to the price of the scan software.

 

[keith2k455]

Re: Heated seats and mirror issue new to me 03 Escalade

I appreciate the info on the codes but am a little hesitant to drop a few hundred on getting codes read when the mirror only flipped out the one time. If there are no other ideas I'll wait until it does it again.

As far as the seats, I narrowed it to the passenger seat...when it is turned on it will kick off all seats after less than 1 minute...can run the drivers seat all day with no issues.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Heated seats and mirror issue new to me 03 Escalade

If you take it to an independent shop to get an estimate, they will often read the codes as part of doing the estimate. At least that is what happened when I got my Lexus looked at for an airbag light.

 

[keith2k455]

Re: Heated seats and mirror issue new to me 03 Escalade

I've found this issue on some suburbans and the fix points to one of the passenger seat elements. Any idea what wires would be for the elements? With the airbag sensor and side airbag I don't want to just start pulling wires. At this point I suspect the back element and would like to just disconnect it.

 

[jkust]

Re: Heated seats and mirror issue new to me 03 Escalade

Just throwing this out there but if you were to get the free trial of Onstar, they can read all of the codes for you by calling them from your rearview mirror.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Heated seats and mirror issue new to me 03 Escalade

I've found this issue on some suburbans and the fix points to one of the passenger seat elements. Any idea what wires would be for the elements? With the airbag sensor and side airbag I don't want to just start pulling wires. At this point I suspect the back element and would like to just disconnect it.

SRS stuff (air bags, and belt tensioners) usually have their own dedicated wires/connectors, and most of the time they are sheathed in yellow with yellow or orange connectors.

Could be that the passenger side heated seat element is either open, or shorted. To get to it, you will need to take the seat out, and will most likely need to cut the hog rings holding the seat cover to the foam pad underneath.

 

[keith2k455]

Re: Heated seats and mirror issue new to me 03 Escalade

I appreciate that info about the srs stuff. Just not sure I want to pull the seat. I searched for one with good seats and would rather not mess with them.

The mirror only did it once so I think I'll overlook that until it does it again.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Heated seats and mirror issue new to me 03 Escalade

Just not sure I want to pull the seat. I searched for one with good seats and would rather not mess with them.

Seat upholstery is a piece of cake. I've done MANY seat heaters when working at a dealership. Not a big deal at all. Basic hand tools, and a set of hog ring pliers with a supply of hog rings are all you need.