Just bought a '03 LS

[Gus_Mahn]

I just bought a '03 LS8. It's silver with a black interior. Has HID's, heated cooled seats, sports package... It appears to have almost everything except navigation and heated rear seats. It has 60,000 miles and is in beautiful original shape with new tires and front brakes. We paid $13,000 for it.

There are two issues that I've found: The ignition switch seems to be broken. It dings anytime the door is open even with the key removed. The passenger side seat heater overheats and shuts off on the high setting. Any thoughts on these issues? Was the price ok for a really nice car? I'll post some pictures up soon.

 

[wi812]

Congrats on the new car. Im Happy to see another LS get a happy home and for the problems concerning the heated seats it sounds like a wiring issue. Also for the ignition i would have someone take a look at it because the car isnt suppose to be beeping when the key is out, even if the doors are open. Its only suppose to do that when the doors are open and they key is in the ignition. But anyway these are fairly minor problems and onced there fixed you can focus on your beautiful car once again hope that helps...

 

[HyeLifeLS]

Congrats, sounds like a great deal. Don't know much about those problems, but sure somebody with heated seats will help you.

Post some pictures.

 

[02V8Sport]

Welcome, the heated seat issue is a clogged heater passage, the seat needs to be taken apart and the vent needs to be cleaned out inside of the seat. The seat overheats because it is working too hard to push the heat through the seat and its clogged up.

 

[glanga]

Welcome, the heated seat issue is a clogged heater passage, the seat needs to be taken apart and the vent needs to be cleaned out inside of the seat. The seat overheats because it is working too hard to push the heat through the seat and its clogged up.

I searched this yesterday because I just found mine does it too. Basically everything 02V8Sport says, but ToddG also said it's definentely a dealership job because its labor intensive. He said its a crushed vent and it has to be replaced. I have no idea how to even check if it's a crushed vent or clogged. Hopefully someone does.

But congrats, welcome to the 03 Sport club.

 

[ToddG]

I searched this yesterday because I just found mine does it too. Basically everything 02V8Sport says, but ToddG also said it's definentely a dealership job because its labor intensive. He said its a crushed vent and it has to be replaced. I have no idea how to even check if it's a crushed vent or clogged. Hopefully someone does.

Ah, you are the beneficiary of my wisdom, grasshopper.

First, congrats to Gus on the new vehicle. Its hard to say if the price you paid was reasonable, since so much depends on condition and mileage. Regardless, I'm sure you'll love it!

Contrary to what wi812 said, the car will chime without the key in the ignition under certain conditions. One that comes to mind is when you've left the lights on. Chimes sound when the switch is set to on or the parking lights. Chimes do not sound when the switch is off or set to Automatic. You should read the owner's manual thoroughly to understand what the car is saying to you.

On the heated seat issue, GLanga is correct, it is likely a crushed duct. It is not a wiring issue since your car does not have electrically heated seats. Instead, your car has a Peltier device that produces and moves heated or cooled air to the seat cushion or back. On the 2003 and some 2004 models, the ductwork that transports the air would become crushed after prolonged seating. In heating mode, that blockage caused the temperature to rise and activate the safety shutoff for the heater.

It is a well-known issue (my 2003 LS had it too), and is fixable. Your dealer needs to apply Technical Service Bulletin 04-18-16, which is directed to this exact problem. Basically, the fix is to remove the seat, take it apart, fix/repair the ductwork, and reassemble the seat. Did your car come with a warranty from the used car seller? If so, they should fix this since I believe it can get pricey due to the labor involved.

Here are the relevant passages from TSB 04-18-16.

LINCOLN:
2003-2004 LS

This article supersedes TSB 04-04-02 to update vehicle model years and service procedure.

ISSUE
Some 2003-2004 Lincoln LS vehicles may exhibit a condition of one or both climate controlled seats turning off shortly after initialization with one of the following combinations of DTC’s present in the climate controlled seat module (CCSM):

B2729 (Cushion Over-Temp Detected)
B2731 (Differential Temperature Fault)
B2730 (Back Over Temp Detected)
B2731 (Differential Temperature Fault)

ACTION
The conditions described may be caused by an airflow restriction due to seat cushion crush (2003 Model Year), or one of the ducts in the climate controlled seat may be disconnected (2003 or 2004 Model Years). Refer to the appropriate Service Procedure below for details.

 

[King03LS8]

Congrats.

Wasn't there a similar car for sale at the same price someone else was looking at?

 

[Gus_Mahn]

It must be a crushed duct. The passenger seat stops working when my 200+ lb azz is in it. Seems to work fine when my 130lb wife is in it. Has someone documented this repair online? How long is the shop time to do it per seat? No warranty other than the valve covers, COP's, and related spark plugs.

I did have at a buddy's shop. There were chassis codes related to the ignition switch and the seat overheat. The car does have a remote start, so that may be causing some issue with the switch. Thanks for the pleasent greeting.

 

[ToddG]

It must be a crushed duct. The passenger seat stops working when my 200+ lb azz is in it. Seems to work fine when my 130lb wife is in it. Has someone documented this repair online? How long is the shop time to do it per seat? No warranty other than the valve covers, COP's, and related spark plugs.

I did have at a buddy's shop. There were chassis codes related to the ignition switch and the seat overheat. The car does have a remote start, so that may be causing some issue with the switch. Thanks for the pleasent greeting.

As I said, it is the subject of a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin). It is not something you want to do yourself, unless you are very skilled. Shoot me a PM with your email address and I'll send your fat azz a PDF copy of the TSB.

 

[Gus_Mahn]

The duct that goes under the cover was only $27 per side list price, and is the same part # for each side. I'm a pretty accomplished DIY'er. There is nothing that looks too difficult about the job as described in the TSB. I'll post some pictures when I start the job.

 

[Garbone]

Ummm, are the backs of the seat supposed to heat up as well?

 

[Gus_Mahn]

Ummm, are the backs of the seat supposed to heat up as well?

Yes, but I've never felt the backs get as hot as the butt cusion on any car I've been around. I'm sure this is just because most of your weight is on the bottom cushion which compresses the insulation allowing better heat transfer.

Actually, I'd love to be able to turn the butt heater off. I'd like to just have heat on my lower back. Any way to do this?

 

[ToddG]

Yes, but I've never felt the backs get as hot as the butt cusion on any car I've been around. I'm sure this is just because most of your weight is on the bottom cushion which compresses the insulation allowing better heat transfer.

Actually, I'd love to be able to turn the butt heater off. I'd like to just have heat on my lower back. Any way to do this?

I don't think its possible with this seat due to the ductwork configuration. And I don't know of anyone who has done it.

I remember the old Mark VIII had a switch where you had a choice of (electrically) heating the cushion or the back individually, or both simultaneously.