2004 M45 Heated Seats - replace, repair, recharge?

[mernyfont]

So, how do these work - magic?

Sorry, my knowledge is limited but I can sure follow directions. If my heated (and cooled) seats don't feel as hot or as cool as they probably once were, what are my options? Switch out the freon?

What say you?
Cheers.

[Ilya]

Don't know about the Y34, but the Y51 has filters under the seats. Perhaps that could be changed?

[EdBwoy]

The Y34 has filters under the seats as well. It uses a thermoelectric or heat conversion device, so yeah, basically magic
My background is not electronics, but my layman's understanding of the device is that you put current to it and it creates a temperature difference. Same device will be used for heating and cooling, depending on what direction current is applied... so you just need air movement on the exposed side.
For this you have a blower motor with an intake filter which could get clogged with pet hair among other materials under your seat.

If you are up for some reading, find the FSM, section SE which is seats, and jump to page 97 to see how the climate controlled seat works.
Page 132 tells you how to remove the filter, which is visible at the bottom of the seat - basically, lift the seat to its highest setting and get at it from the rear seating area. It seems that you should be able to just pull it down, but take a peek there.

[EdBwoy]

cooled-seats-how-cold-do-yours-get-t610520.html
More reading from the m56, m37 group

heated-driver-seat-issue-maybe-06-t603794.html
And from the newer m45, m35

[Gene Ln]

Sounds like a peltier device. if so very interesting.