Ford Explorer: Front Seats / General Procedures - Seat Heater Mat Installation

Repair

NOTE: Click here to view a video version of the seat heater mat removal and installation.

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NOTE: Always install a new heater mat.

NOTE: During installation, it is allowable to adhere a new heater mat to any adhesive left behind on the foam.

NOTE: During installation, make sure the heater mat doesn't have any folds or creases that the customer may feel when sitting in the seat.

NOTE: Typical seat cushion foam and heater mat shown, other seat cushion/backrest foam and heater mats are similar.

1. Position the heater mat onto the foam so that the center section of the heater mat aligns to the center section of the foam.
   
   • Find the locator marks in the foam and ensure the heater mat aligns to them as closely as possible.
     

1. Turn the RH upper and middle sections of the heater mat over to the other side to expose the adhesive paper overlay.
   

1. Remove the heater mat adhesive paper overlay.
   

1. Position the RH upper and middle sections of the heater mat back over and adhere the middle section of the heater mat to the middle section of the foam making sure it's aligned to the foam as in the previous step.
   

1. Turn the LH upper and middle sections of the heater mat over to the other side to expose the adhesive paper overlay.
   

1. Remove the heater mat adhesive paper overlay.
   

1. Position the LH upper and middle sections of the heater mat back over and adhere the middle section of the heater mat to the middle section of the foam making sure they're aligned as in the previous step.
   

1. NOTE: Make sure the heater mat bottoms out in the trench but do not compress the foam. Light pressure is all that is needed.

   If required, tuck the heater mat into the foam trench.
   

1. While keeping the heater mat tucked (if required) in the foam trench, position the heater mat onto the foam so that the front section of the heater mat aligns to the front section of the foam.
   
   • Find the locator marks in the foam and ensure the heater mat aligns to them as closely as possible.
     

1. Turn the LH front section of the heater mat over to the other side to expose the adhesive paper overlay.
   

1. Remove the heater mat adhesive paper overlay.
   

1. 1. NOTE: Make sure the heater mat bottoms out in the trench but do not compress the foam. Light pressure is all that is needed.

      If required, hold the heater mat in position and tucked in the trench.
      
   2. Position the LH front section of the heater mat back over and adhere the heater mat to the foam making sure it's aligned to the foam as in the previous step.
      

1. Turn the RH front section of the heater mat over to the other side to expose the adhesive paper overlay.
   

1. Remove the heater mat adhesive paper overlay.
   

1. 1. NOTE: Make sure the heater mat bottoms out in the trench but do not compress the foam. Light pressure is all that is needed.

      If required, hold the heater mat in position and tucked in the trench.
      
   2. Position the RH front section of the heater mat back over and adhere the heater mat to the foam making sure it's aligned to the foam as in the previous step.
      

1. NOTE: Location will vary by vehicle.

   If required, feed the heater mat wiring pigtail through the foam opening while positioning the rear section of the heater mat back over on the foam.
   

1. NOTE: Make sure the heater mat bottoms out in the trench but do not compress the foam. Light pressure is all that is needed.

   If required, tuck the heater mat into the foam trench.
   

1. While keeping the heater mat tucked (if required) in the foam trench, position the heater mat onto the foam so that the rear section of the heater mat aligns to the rear section of the foam.
   
   • Find the locator marks in the foam and ensure the heater mat aligns to them as closely as possible.
     

1. Turn the LH rear section of the heater mat over to the other side to expose the adhesive paper overlay.
   

1. Remove the heater mat adhesive paper overlay.
   

1. 1. NOTE: Make sure the heater mat bottoms out in the trench but do not compress the foam. Light pressure is all that is needed.

      If required, hold the heater mat in position and tucked in the trench.
      
   2. Position the LH rear section of the heater mat back over and adhere the heater mat to the foam making sure it's aligned to the foam as in the previous step.
      

1. Turn the RH rear section of the heater mat over to the other side to expose the adhesive paper overlay.
   

1. Remove the heater mat adhesive paper overlay.
   

1. 1. NOTE: Make sure the heater mat bottoms out in the trench but do not compress the foam. Light pressure is all that is needed.

      If required, hold the heater mat in position and tucked in the trench.
      
   2. Position the RH rear section of the heater mat back over and adhere the heater mat to the foam making sure it's aligned to the foam as in the previous step.
      

1. NOTE: Make sure the heater mat bottoms out in the trench but do not compress the foam. Light pressure is all that is needed.

   If required, tuck the heater mat into the front trench.
   

1. Install the seat cushion or backrest cover. Refer to the appropriate procedure in this or one of the other 501-10 sections.