Drivers side lumbar support and heated seat stopped working at around the same time. It sounded to me like a bolt fell off inside the seat, then the lumber stopped working... made a groaning noise, like motor was trying to move the lumbar, but something was off track. Now the lumbar is stuck in the least comfortable position (of course). Additionally, at the same time, when switching on the heated seat feature, the light on the switch would come on as normal and click off after a couple of seconds. Can anybody tell me if these two failures may be related, or coincidence? Could the jammed lumbar have damaged the heater element or wiring? Is the lumbar user servicable, or a job for the dealer? I kinda want to peek in there to see if the bolt (if it is a bolt) that came loose is reattachable, and would fix the problem, but I am freaked out by the whole airbag in the seat thing.

Telling you they are or aren't would be pure speculation. We've seen the elements fail and that is fairly common. The bolt tosses a new thing into the mix though. When you kept trying the lumbar did you possibly pinch a wire for the heated seat....it'* possible.

When my seat moves back sometimes I hear a TINK like dropping a quarter in a change jar like something is catching, maybe it is catching on something, maybe a bolt.Have to inspect.

The air bag system can be disabled and placed in a relatively safe condition for you to look at the seat. How extensive a look are you willing to go with the seat? Would you dis-assemble/remove seat for close inspection?

Mark, I am not afraid of a project. I have never had a problem digging into a project... opening something up and fixing it without really knowing what I am doing. Nearly always, I have succeeded. These are points I have been considering:
1) this is my everyday car, so it wouldn't be good if whatever I did to it took it out of commission for a terribly long time. (although it is spring, and my 69 Catalina would be fun to drive daily for a while) To keep the car usable would require possibly a lot of extra work (such as pulling out the seat to figure out what it needs, then putting it back while ordering the parts, etc etc).
2) the airbag scares me (expensive and painful)
3)random parts I have ordered through the dealer have been either surprisingly inexpensive, or extremely expensive. Since I possibly need a new lumbar AND heating element, perhaps the most efficient thing in this case would be to try and find another decent seat from an auto wrecker for a couple hundred bucks and avoid the aggravation by swapping it out. (but will it be a good seat?!?!?!)
I am getting conflicing info.... the GM repair manual says all elements must be replaced which is major surgery. On this board, it says rear lumbar heater is separate, and possibly servicable through the zipper. If the latter, I would be willing to tinker as I suspect the lumbar and elelment failures are somehow related. I would be happy at least fixing the lumbar while I am in there, even if dont fix the heater element. But I won't dig in there at all if it is not advisable.

I'm not aware of an airbag issue when working on or around the seat? I've had the seat apart on my 2000 a coupla times. I've also replaced the heating element on the under the seat cushion. Did I almost blow myself up?

Alright, there are two heater elements. One in the seat back, one in the seat cushion, neither of which are serviceable. The heater element & seat cover are replaceable as one integral unit. The heater elements are in series and there is a thermistor for temperature regulation. If you remove connector C2 at the driver heated seat module, connect an ohmeter across pins A & C, you should read a resistance. This is the two heater elements. You can read the thermistor across pins D & F. The driver heated seat module is under the driver seat cushion. There are two connectors on it, C1 & C2
As for the lumbar support, you will have to remove the seat back cover & pad to gain access. This can be accomplished with the seat in the vehicle. It is advisable to disable the SIR system. In the rear fuse block (under rear seat) remove the SIR fuse, wait a few minutes for the SIR control module to dissipate stored energy, then disconnect the SIR connector (yellow) under the driver seat. If you have an ESD grounding strap for your wrist, you can use that also.

Actually, I might be misunderstanding what you are saying? I did replace the heating elements with out replacing the seat cushion or cover They sell the kit. It simply adhere'* to the bottom of the seat. I just cut the old element wires off and put in the new element....works great. There are also more than two elements. The kit comes with four or five seperate elements that connect together. If anyone needs the part # I can dig it up. I got mine through gmpartsdirect.com If I remember it was about $110.00 and it takes maybe 15 minutes to put in. I did not replace theupper elements, just the lower ones.

To test the modules I simply swaped the driver one with the passenger one, and the problem stayed on the driver side. Pulled the seat cover up and saw the burn marks...replaced.

Thanks for offering, yest part numbers for any/all heater element and related parts you could provide would be VERY helpful, as it seems that having them is the only way to order through GMParts online. Also, if anyone has the number for the lumbar assy for drivers side, 2000 SSei that would equally be appreciated..

This is a thread regarding the seat heater, which includes the part numbers.
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...0362&highlight

The lumbar support is a rather complex mechanism that could be very expensive to replace as an assembly. I couldn't find a part number for the whole mechanism, but I did find a TSB regarding the lumbar support being too hard that has diagrams that may be able to help you.


Bulletin No.: 02-08-50-009

Date: November, 2002

TECHNICAL
Subject:
Front Seats Uncomfortable/Hard In Lumbar Area
(Install Low Tension Spring Assembly)

Models:
2000-2002 Buick LeSabre
2000-2002 Pontiac Bonneville
2001-2002 Oldsmobile Aurora

Condition

Some customers may comment on the hardness of the front seat backs and that the seats are not comfortable in the lumbar area.

Cause

This condition may be due to a high tension spring assembly in the lumbar support system.

Correction

Replace the existing spring assembly with a new low tension spring assembly, P/N 88895714.

Replacement Procedure
1. Adjust the front seat assembly'* lumbar control to the maximum rearward and maximum downward position.


2. Open the seat back cover in order to access the lumbar support assembly.

2.1. If applicable, remove the 2 screws located at the bottom of the J channel fasteners (2, 3).

2.2. Disconnect the double J channel fastener (5).

2.3. Disconnect the J channel fasteners (2, 3).

Important: Do not remove the existing spring assembly at this time.


3. Hold the new spring assembly in your right hand and insert one end through the LH hole of the lumbar support yoke bar (4).

4. Use your left hand to squeeze the top portion of the black lumbar basket (1) and the metal support frame (5) together.

5. Insert the other end of the new spring assembly up through the oblong opening (3). Let the hook rest over the basket edge.

6. Remove the old spring assembly by cutting the wire with a pair of diagonal side cutters.

7. Insert the hook end of the new spring assembly into the round opening (2).[/url]