does anyone know how to get at the heating elements (neatly, easily), and where to look for loose wires/connections - or other simple type of fixes?

Thanks!

 

Check the wires and connectors under the seat (don't mess with the yellow ones=airbag) If you are feeling up to it you can pull the upholstery off the seat and check for broken wires in the heating element. I've repaired many on other cars by soldering the wires back together. They are easy to see cause there is usually a dark spot around the breaks. Also in the wiring diagram it shows a seat heater temperature sensor. But doesn't give a good diagram to know where it is or if it's part of the element or just under the seat. Also as the wires in the element wear out they develop micro cracks that reduce the amount of current that can flow through it. If thats the case you end up with low heat or slow heat, nothing you can do but replace them.

 

well my 96 heated seats work great... i usually dont turn them past 3... it does the *** and back... could be the internals in your seat are bad

 

Great info - thanks.
Ironically - the seat is working better now and I've done nothing. Maybe the seat had gone a long time without being used? However, I'm still not feeling heat in the back of the seat.