Audi A6 Seat Heater Fix: Bad Element vs Wiring Issues

Having some experience with automotive repair, I encountered a similar heating element failure in my Audi A4 from 2 years prior. The symptoms were identical, complete heater failure and error codes related to the seat heating system. After initial troubleshooting, the workshop diagnosed a defective heating mat in the seat cushion. The thermal sensor was still functional, but the heating element itself had failed. The repair involved replacing the entire seat heating mat assembly. The total cost came to 390 Euro, including parts and labor. While expensive, it completely resolved the issue and the seat heating has worked flawlessly since the repair. To provide more specific guidance about your case, could you share: The exact build year of your A6, Whether this affects driver side, passenger side, or both seats, If the problem occurred suddenly or developed gradually, Whether you notice any intermittent function or complete failure This information would help determine if your issue matches the common failure pattern I experienced with my A4.

Thanks for sharing your repair experience. On my 2023 A6 with 52547 KM, the heating issue is only affecting the drivers side seat. The problem started suddenly during a cold morning about 2 weeks ago. The function completely failed without any intermittent behavior beforehand. Your description of the heating element failure sounds very similar to what I am experiencing. The complete failure and error codes match exactly. Seems like the seat cushion might need the same type of repair in my case.

Thanks for providing those details. Your symptoms match my A4 case even more closely than I initially thought. The sudden complete heater failure without warning is a classic sign of a heating element breakdown, particularly since its isolated to just the drivers side. The fact that your car has relatively low mileage and is still quite new suggests this could be covered under warranty. My repair would have cost 390 Euro, but you should definitely check your warranty status before proceeding with any repairs. After my automotive repair experience, I learned these heating element failures often occur at connection points rather than in the heating mat itself. The thermal sensor usually catches these faults immediately, which explains the instant failure and error code storage. When I had the heater failure repaired, the workshop showed me the damaged heating element. The connection point had completely separated from the main heating mat, a fairly common failure point in these systems. Would recommend having the seat heater diagnostics done at an authorized workshop, as they will: 1. Verify the exact fault code 2. Test the thermal sensor separately 3. Check the wiring harness connections 4. Confirm if a full heating mat replacement is needed Let us know what the workshop determines in your case.

Thanks everyone for the helpful insights. My situation indeed appears nearly identical to what was described. I called the dealership, and they confirmed my 2023 A6 is still under warranty, so the seat warmer repair should be fully covered. They scheduled me for next week to diagnose and repair the heating element issue. I feel much better knowing this is a documented problem with a clear solution. The complete failure of the drivers side seat heater and matching error codes definitely point to the same heating mat failure that others experienced. Will update after the warranty repair is completed to confirm if they find the same connection point issue at the heating element. Really appreciate all the information about the thermal sensor testing and diagnostic steps. It helped me understand exactly what to expect during the repair process. At least I know a failed heating element is a straightforward fix, even if I had to pay the 390 Euro repair cost without warranty coverage.