Heated seat not working - switch?

[Dyldo]

I don't have a multi-meter (nor the skill to use it really) so if my driver's side seat isn't getting warmed up by the seat heaters, is it the most likely cause that the switch has busted?

They worked on my car when i bought it a few months back, but now have stopped. ECS ad quotes them as being an item that "commonly fails".

Volkswagen Jetta IV VR6 24v > Interior > Switches > Heated Seat > ES#252825 MK4 Heated Seat Switch - Right - 1J0963564B01C

[Rybky]

I would check fuses first.

[Treza360]

Does your glove box light come on? Not sure if it's the same as the R but there are multiple fuses to check. The first being the seat electrics from memory. However it's only posted somewhere obscure on the internet but the fuse that controls the glovebox light and some other seemingly insignificant auxiliaries also controls the seat heaters.
Cheers,
Trent

[quozl]

Mk IV fuse list on my webspace

Position 44 15A fuse

[Dyldo]

Sorry, should have been clearer in my post in that the seats will heat but only on setting #5 (not mambo #5). this tells me maybe its not a fuse issue but perhaps a contact issue on the wheel inside the switch?

Glovebox light am not sure of, but I do know my driver's side door when open doesn't enable the interior light.... maybe another thread (just joking... maybe).

[JustCruisn]

Probably the switch, it is actually a thing called a rheostat, which allows you to dial up more or less current. The fact that it works on max setting indicates a failure of the rheostat only.
Having and knowing how to use a multimeter would quickly determine if this is the fault or not. You want to check the resistance as you turn the dial, it should have high values when the dial is at low setting and the values should drop as the dial is turned up.
Go see a sparky.

[Dyldo]

i can do it, i am just lazy. i did basic electronics in high school and I should even be able to remember the resistor values by colour. A google search will help me anyway

As the 5 setting worked, and the others used to work but now are dead, i'd imagine the rheostat is the nasty culprit. I can add that to my shopping list of stuff to buy, but thanks heaps for the help.

I assume they pop out pretty easily?

[Manaz]

Glovebox light am not sure of, but I do know my driver's side door when open doesn't enable the interior light.... maybe another thread (just joking... maybe).

Another common issue, dirt can stop the contacts from working. A quick spray with WD40 can sort it out I believe.

[Dyldo]

Another common issue, dirt can stop the contacts from working. A quick spray with WD40 can sort it out I believe.

WD40 - the magic spray for cars. Where are the contacts? on the hinge side or the pillar side?