Ventilated Seats Acura ZDX I

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Self-Diagnostic Function

The seat ventilation control unit has a thermistor self-diagnostic function. It indicates the result by lighting the LEDs of the seat ventilation switch.

Entering the Self-Diagnostic Function

1. Push and hold the HEAT side of the driver's seat ventilation switch.
2. Turn the combination light switch (Lights on Indicator) ON.
3. Press the engine start/stop button to select the ON mode.
4. Within 2 to 5 seconds, turn the combination light switch OFF, then (Lights on Indicator) ON and OFF again.
5. Release the HEAT side of the driver's seat ventilation switch, and press the HEAT side of the driver's seat ventilation switch 3 times within 5 seconds.
6. If the system enters the self-diagnostic mode, all of the indicators turn on for 3 seconds. During self-diagnostic mode, the control unit blinks the driver's or the front passenger's seat ventilation switch heat indicators in a specific pattern corresponding to the failure. An LED pattern will start to blink 2 seconds after all indicators turn off. The LED pattern will continue to blink every 2 seconds until self-diagnostic mode is off. If more than 1 failure exists, each pattern will be displayed according to their priority every 2 seconds. After all patterns are displayed, the cycle will be repeated until self-diagnostic mode is off. The DTC will be displayed on either the driver's seat ventilation switch or front passenger's seat ventilation switch dependent upon where the failure has occurred. All LEDs turn off after entering the self diagnostic mode if there are no DTCs stored.

Indicator Blink Patterns

Order of priority 1 2 3 4 5 Blinking pattern (1) Seat heater HIGH indicator blinking Seat heater LOW indicator blinking Seat heater MIDDLE indicator and LOW indicator blinking Seat heater HIGH indicator and MIDDLE indicator blinking All the seat heater indicators blinking Failure status Thermistor open Thermistor short Heater current abnormal Heater voltage abnormal Seat not heating (1) The indicator(s) will blink 4 times a second

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How To Clear the DTCs

Whenever the control unit detects failures (abnormal seat heater voltage, abnormal seat heater current, and/or a driver side or front passenger side seat not heating), each failure is stored in the control unit.

To clear the DTCs, press and hold the applicable HEAT side of the ventilation switch for 6 seconds while in the self-diagnostic mode.

Note. Completely clear all DTCs for the driver's side (or passenger's side) before clearing the other side. After clearing the DTCs, all seat heater indicators will turn on for 2 seconds, and then go off. A thermistor open or a thermistor short failure is stored only when the vehicle ignition in the ON mode. After the engine start/stop button is pressed to select the OFF mode, it is cleared. For self-diagnostic mode display of a thermistor open or a thermistor short failure, if the failure has already occurred, it will be detected within 6 seconds after the engine start/stop button is pressed to select the ON mode. To exit the self-diagnostic mode, press the engine start/stop button to select the OFF mode.

Factory Mode

When the vehicle is initially delivered, the seat ventilation control unit is in factory mode. While in this mode, the seats are fully functional for basic operation, fail-safe operation, etc., but will not store failures in memory while in self-diagnostic mode.

After manual or automatic activation, the control unit will permanently exit factory mode, and will never again simultaneously display all the indicator lights if all four switches are pressed with the ignition switch ON (II).

Automatic Activation Method

Press the engine start/stop button to select the ON mode and then the OFF mode: Do this procedure 9 times for a total of 10 times

Note. Keep the vehicle ignition in the ON mode for at least 20 seconds following activation using this method.

Manual Activation Method

Press the engine start/stop button to select the ON mode, then push and hold all four seat ventilation buttons for 2 seconds. After this sequence is accepted by the control unit, all indicators will turn on for 2 seconds.

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Symptom Troubleshooting

1. Troubleshoot the seat ventilation system in this order: Order of priority Symptom Possible cause 1 Thermistor open Measure the resistance between seat cushion heater connector A (5P) [seat cushion heater 5P connector] terminals No. 3 and No. 2 [No. 4]. If the resistance value is at least 350 kohms. The thermistor is faulty; replace the seat cushion cover/pad (see «FRONT SEAT CUSHION COVER REPLACEMENT»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#seats__front-seat-cushion-cover-replacement) ). Check for continuity between seat ventilation control unit 37P connector terminals No. 9 [No. 36] and No. 21 [No. 20] and seat cushion heater connector A (5P) [seat cushion heater 5P connector] terminals No. 3 and No. 2 [No. 4] respectively. If there no continuity, repair an open in the wire. 2 Thermistor short Measure the resistance between seat cushion heater connector A (5P) [seat cushion heater 5P connector] terminals No. 2 [No. 4] and No. 3. If the resistance value is 600 ohms or less. The thermistor is faulty; replace the seat cushion cover/pad (see «FRONT SEAT CUSHION COVER REPLACEMENT»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#seats__front-seat-cushion-cover-replacement) ). Disconnect the seat ventilation control unit 37P connector, and check for continuity between body ground and seat cushion heater connector A (5P) [seat cushion heater 5P connector] terminals No. 2 [No. 4] and No. 3 individually. If there continuity, repair a short to ground in the wire. 3 Heater current abnormal Go to the «VENTILATED SEAT SYSTEM INPUT TEST, AND DO ALL POWER AND GROUND INPUT TESTS»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#ventilated-seats__control-unit-input-testreplacement) (see ). If the tests prove OK, measure the resistance between seat cushion heater connector A (5P) [seat cushion heater 5P connector] terminals No. 1 [No. 5] and No. 4 [No. 2], and seat-back heater connector B (2P) terminals No. 1 and No. 2: If the resistance value of the seat cushion heater is out of the range between 4.7 and 5.7 ohms. The seat cushion heater is faulty; replace the seat cushion cover/pad (see «FRONT SEAT CUSHION COVER REPLACEMENT»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#seats__front-seat-cushion-cover-replacement) ). If the resistance value of the seat-back heater is out of the range between 4.5 and 5.6 ohms. The seat-back heater is faulty; replace the seat cushion cover/pad (see «FRONT SEAT CUSHION COVER REPLACEMENT»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#seats__front-seat-cushion-cover-replacement) ). Heater voltage abnormal Go to the «CONTROL UNIT INPUT TEST/REPLACEMENT»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#ventilated-seats__control-unit-input-testreplacement) . 4 Seat ventilation switch failure Go to the «CONTROL UNIT INPUT TEST/REPLACEMENT»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#ventilated-seats__control-unit-input-testreplacement) . If the tests prove OK, measure the resistance between seat cushion heater connector A (5P) [seat cushion heater 5P connector] terminals No. 1 [No. 5] and No. 4 [No. 2], and seat-back heater connector B (2P) terminals No. 1 and No. 2: If the resistance value of the seat cushion heater is out of the range between 4.7 and 5.7 ohms. The seat cushion heater is faulty; replace the seat cushion cover/pad (see «FRONT SEAT CUSHION COVER REPLACEMENT»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#seats__front-seat-cushion-cover-replacement) ). If the resistance value of the seat-back heater is out of the range between 4.5 and 5.6 ohms. The seat-back heater is faulty; replace the seat cushion cover/pad (see «FRONT SEAT CUSHION COVER REPLACEMENT»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#seats__front-seat-cushion-cover-replacement) ). If the resistance value is within the specified value, replace the seat ventilation control unit. 5 Seat not heating [ ]: Front passenger's seat

Control Unit Input Test/Replacement

Note. Before testing, check the No. 2-4 (AS F/B OPTION) (40 A) fuse in the under-hood fuse/relay box, the No. 16 (7.5 A) fuse in the driver's under-dash fuse/relay box, and the No. 19 (20 A) fuse in the passenger's under-dash fuse/relay box.

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1. Remove the driver's center console trim (see «CENTER CONSOLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/gauges-instrument-panels/#consoles__center-console-removalinstallation) ).
2. Disconnect the 37P connector (A) from the seat ventilation control unit (B).
3. Inspect the connector and socket terminals to be sure they are all making good contact. If the terminals are bent, loose or corroded, repair them as necessary, and recheck the system. If the terminals look OK, go to step 4.
4. Reconnect the 37P connector to the control unit, and do the following input tests. If any test indicates a problem, find and correct the cause, then recheck the system. If all the input tests prove OK, go to step 5. Cavity Wire Test condition Test: Desired result Possible cause if desired result is not obtained 12 RED Power mode ON Measure the voltage to ground: There should be battery voltage. Blown No. 19 (20 A) fuse in the passenger's under-dash fuse/relay box Faulty seat ventilation relay An open or high resistance in the wire 26 ORN Power mode ON Measure the voltage to ground: There should be battery voltage. Blown No. 1 (7.5 A) fuse in the driver's under-dash fuse/relay box An open or high resistance in the wire 13 GRY Combination light switch (PARKING position) ON Measure the voltage to ground: There should be battery voltage. Blown No. 6 (7.5 A) fuse in the passenger's under-dash fuse/relay box An open or high resistance in the wire 24 LT BLU Power mode ON, front passenger's seat heat switch pressed Measure the voltage to ground: There should be battery voltage. Faulty front passenger's seat heater Poor ground (G651) or an open in the ground wire An open or high resistance in the wire 37 LT GRN Power mode ON, driver's seat heat switch pressed Measure the voltage to ground: There should be battery voltage. Faulty driver's seat heater Poor ground (G602) or an open in the ground wire An open or high resistance in the wire 25 BLK In all power modes Measure the voltage to ground: There should be less than 0.2 V. Poor ground (G403) An open or high resistance in the ground wire
5. Disconnect the 37P connector from the control unit, and do the following input tests. If any test indicates a problem, find and correct the cause, then recheck the system. If all the input tests prove OK, the control unit must be faulty; replace it.

Driver's Seat

Note. SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations (see COMPONENT LOCATION INDEX ), and precautions and procedures (see PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES ) before doing repairs or servicing.

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1. Remove the driver's seat (see «FRONT SEAT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#seats__front-seat-removalinstallation) ).
2. Remove the seat-back panel (see «FRONT SEAT-BACK COVER REPLACEMENT»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#seats__front-seat-back-cover-replacement) ).
3. Disconnect connector A (5P) and connector B (2P) from the seat heaters.
4. Check for continuity between seat heater connector A (5P) terminal No. 3, and terminal No. 2. There should be continuity.
5. If there is no continuity, the seat cushion heater is faulty; replace the seat cushion cover/pad (see «FRONT SEAT CUSHION COVER REPLACEMENT»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#seats__front-seat-cushion-cover-replacement) ).
6. Check for continuity between seat heater connector B (2P) terminals No. 1 and No. 2. There should be continuity.
7. If there is no continuity, the seat-back heater is faulty; replace the seat-back cover/pad (see «FRONT SEAT-BACK COVER REPLACEMENT»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#seats__front-seat-back-cover-replacement) ).
8. Check for continuity between seat heater connector A (5P) terminals No. 1 and No. 5, and terminals No. 1 and No. 4. There should be continuity.
9. If there is no continuity, the seat cushion heater is faulty; replace the seat cushion cover/pad (see «FRONT SEAT CUSHION COVER REPLACEMENT»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#seats__front-seat-cushion-cover-replacement) ).

Front Passenger's Seat

Note. SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations (see COMPONENT LOCATION INDEX ), and precautions and procedures (see PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES ) before doing repairs or servicing.

Scheme 271

1. Remove the front passenger's seat (see «FRONT SEAT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#seats__front-seat-removalinstallation) ).
2. Disconnect the 5P connector from the seat heater.
3. Check for continuity between seat heater 5P connector terminals No. 3 and No. 4 and terminals No. 2 and No. 5. There should be continuity.
4. If there is no continuity, the seat cushion heater is faulty; replace the seat cushion cover/pad (see «FRONT SEAT CUSHION COVER REPLACEMENT»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/seats/#seats__front-seat-cushion-cover-replacement) ).

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1. Remove the center console panel (see «CENTER CONSOLE PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(/acura/zdx/i-2009-2013/remont/gauges-instrument-panels/#consoles__center-console-panel-removalinstallation) ).
2. Disconnect the 16P [12P] connector from the seat ventilation switch (A). []: Front passenger's seat ventilation switch
3. Remove the two screws and the switch.
4. Check for continuity between the terminals in each switch position according to the table. NOTE: Make sure the correct test lead (+ or -) is placed on the terminal. When checking for continuity across the diode, use the diode setting (-->|-) on the digital volt/ohm meter to check the diode bias. Note this important operating characteristic; diode bias causes a diode to fully conduct electricity in one direction (forward), while not at all in the opposite direction (reverse).
5. If the continuity check is not as specified, replace the seat ventilation switch.
6. Install the parts in the reverse order of removal.

See also:
• FRONT SEAT CUSHION COVER REPLACEMENT
• CENTER CONSOLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION
• COMPONENT LOCATION INDEX
• FRONT SEAT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION
• FRONT SEAT-BACK COVER REPLACEMENT
• CENTER CONSOLE PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION
• VENTILATED SEAT SYSTEM INPUT TEST, AND DO ALL POWER AND GROUND INPUT TESTS