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

Repair

  WARNING: To minimize the risk of injury, always wear protective gloves when working with a steamer. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.

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

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

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

1. Acquire an automotive upholstery steamer with the following specifications.
   

   1	Minimum 1 liter capacity
   2	1300 – 1500 watts
   3	Wide, T-Shaped, high durability plastic or metal (aluminum) steamer head

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

1. Set up the commercially available steamer following the instruction sheet provided with the equipment.
   

1. Purge any water out of the steamer line and head before placing the steamer head on the heater mat.
   

1. NOTE: Only the areas with adhesive need to be steamed. Look at the back of the new heater mat or place a finger between the heater mat and foam to find the locations.

   To soften the adhesive, locate 1 adhesive strip in a section of the foam, place the steamer head at one end of the heater mat and apply steam to that area for approximately 15 seconds before pulling on the heater mat.
   

1. NOTICE: Peel the heater mat off the foam slowly as to not damage the foam and to remove the most amount of adhesive as possible.

   Slowly pull the heater mat down the length of the adhesive strip, allowing the steamer head to follow and continue to soften the adhesive until the heater mat is detached from that portion of foam.
   

1. Position the steamer head on the other side of the foam section. Apply steam to that area for approximately 15 seconds and slowly pull the heater mat down the length of the adhesive strip, allowing the steamer head to follow and continue to soften the adhesive until the heater mat is detached.
   

1. Remove the heater mat.
   
   • Repeat steps 5 through 7 for each adhesive strip in each section of the foam.
     
   • Working from one end to the other, continue applying steam and peeling the heater mat off the foam until the heater mat is completely removed.
     
   • If required, route out the heater mat wiring harness from the foam.
     

1. NOTE: Allow enough time for the moisture/water to dry or the new heater mat will not stick to the foam.

   Let the foam stand for 5 minutes to allow any residual moisture to evaporate.
   

1. Install a new heater mat.
   Refer to: Seat Heater Mat Installation (501-10A Front Seats, General Procedures).