I read all the threads on seat heater element replacement, and they indicate once you peel up the set cover on the seat cushion, you will expose the heater element between the cover and the foam. I peeled mine up and the wires supplying current to the element disappear into a hole in the thin layer of foam that is sewn to the leather cover. In other words, the heater element is in between the leather and the thin foam backing that is sewn to the leather. Looks like the only way to replace it would be to cut all the stitching, replace the element, and re-sew the cover.

Has anyone done this repair on a 2001?

I suppose I could just leave the old element in the cover, and put a replacement element between the cover and the foam bun, but the heating would not be as good as with the original.

Any ideas?

Did you read this thread also?

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=60362

and specifically the part that said -

Looks like you leave the old ones where they are.

I had read the thread from Pontiac Dad, but not the thread you sent me. Pontiac Dad'* description was about a 2000 in which the heater element was seperate from the seat pad, the other thread that you sent me looks like my car, where the element is sewn into the leather cover. Looks like I will have to leave the old one in place and put a replacement under it.

One thing I did notice when working on the seat is it was made by the company I work for (Lear Corporation). I will make some calls tomorrow and find out who the product engineer was for the program, and talk to him (or her) about what my options are.

Thanks for the input.

Good luck. Maybe while you're chatting, you can find out if there is something that can be done to make them last longer, as it is a fairly common problem.

PDad'* replacement seems to have been quite easy in comparison. I'm beginning to wonder if maybe they didn't change things later on. Let us know how it goes.

My element is also embedded in the seat cover. I left it alone and simply stuck it to the seat cushion as it really didn't give me any other option. What I mean is the way the wiring was, the only way it would work was sticking it to the cushion and not to the seat cover. I only replaced that part...............the rest were all Ok. They are sitting on a shelf in my shop.