Hello all - I am new to the Crossfire world and happy to be here! My heated seats do not work and I have seen the various tutorials on how to repair that issue. At the same time, I want to replace the foam seat cushions as I believe that due to age they are rotted and crumbling. I am assuming that with the seat apart to repair the heat elements, that replacing the foam would be straightforward - assuming it's right there. BUT, the question is where to get it? I am assuming that a dealership would be of no help. Any suggestions on where to get the molded foam inserts?? Thanks in advance.

 

If it was my car, I would take the seats to an auto upholstery shop. They should have the foam, or an updated version of it. Then they can shape it correctly to your seats. They might even be able to repair the heating element for you.

 

Thanks for the suggestions M60A3Driver. I have talked to two well regarded car auto trim places in my area that do seats and neither wants anything to do with my electrical seat repairs but are willing to help make sure that I have stretched the leather back in place correctly, etc. I can do the electrical part of this. Both shops will not just fit foam into the seat, they want the molded foam because that’s the only way to get a proper shape and fit. So, I am back to trying to find the foam itself. It’s a 90% certainty that any Chrysler dealership will punt on this, but I will call a couple of them . I was hoping that maybe a few forum members may have had a need to replace their foam and could direct me to a source. Maybe I should approach finding a source from a Mercedes standpoint? And a part number would be helpful, but I have not been able to find that either. Help!! And thanks!!

 

Mopar Parts Giant says they have them. Try a google search.

 

Thanks ZERACER for the suggestion. I contact Mopar Parts Giant and they do not have them. I have contacted about 12 other Mopar oriented places and just googled the part number and the answer is always the same - the foam has been discontinued and there is no replacement. I think my only other recourse is to try the Mercedes route. I will also be visiting my preferred trim shop and talk to them. There has to be a solution. My 04 has only 8k miles, and is in really good condition, but the foam has just been crumbling due to age. I'll keep pressing on and keep you guys informed. Thanks.

 

Hi Por,
Just an idea since you might not be able to find an OEM replacement, but you might go to a used car lot, take a look at car seats of 1 to 5 year old models (probably European models), and find one that has seats nearly the same size as the crossfires (take the measurements with you). Order the foam for that model, and then with a few cuts, you can make the foam fit your upholstery - it's very forgiving. Or you buy a very thick square of foam and hot knife it into shape. (Again, the foam doesn't have to match exactly since it will compress into shape.)
-Jerry

 

Thanks red - I think if I strike out in trying the Mercedes option, which is likely, I will push the two trim shops I have access to to do what you suggest but with new foam. My seats are pristine - the leather is almost new so you can’t just scrap perfectly good seats! There has to be a solution and seat trim shops have to be the best positioned to help. Thanks again.

 

Or custom upholstery shops?

 

For sure - both shops do that type of custom work and it can be costly. Replacing the foam should be pretty easy to do. I was hoping to find new foam and save myself some serious money. So, we’ll see.

 

Just a couple of thoughts.....how do you know the foam is rotting in your car if you haven't removed the covers? Secondly, a good seat restoration place should be able to cut new foam bolsters to the correct size and shape for you.

 

I was cleaning the interior of my car and noticed a lot of orangish/yellowish powder under both seats. I stuck my head under there as best as I could and could see the same color under the seats and realized it was the foam. I am going to be dismantling the seats to repair the heated seats circuit and thought that I might as well replace the foam not realizing the foam was no longer available. And yes, I am hoping that my trim shops can figure out a solution. Thanks for your comments.

 

How do the seats feel? Were the seats working when you bought the car?
I have not seen any posts about seat cushion deteriorating.
Could a previous owner maybe been poking around with a screwdriver hoping the seats start working?
If the seats feel good and it is just a little foam dust I would not mess with changing foam. Why take the chance of someone ruining your perfect leather.

 

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That orange powder stuff you found under the seats sounds like that debris from when my headliner fell down. That stuff was everywhere when I removed the headliner and brought it to a recommended trim repair shop. Do you know if the headliner was replaced/repaired?


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Good Morning guys - thanks for the continued suggestions and comments - they have been helpful.
To Wadsworth: I just bought the car in late January and no, the heated seats were not working. You make a really good point - I really won't know what that foam looks like until I pull this seats, which I cannot do until August. I agree, I own, and have owned, Porsches that are the same vintage as my Crossfire and I have never had or heard of a foam problem, so I may be concerning myself with a non-issue. My mother-in-law always told me, "don't borrow trouble" and perhaps that is what I am doing. I just wanted to get out ahead of this and be ready to replace the foam if necessary. Which leads me to GraphiteGhost....
To GraphiteGhost: Wow! Great suggestion - very encouraging! I don't know for sure, but I feel like the headliner has been replaced - it fits perfect and seems new. Your thoughts could be the answer. My Crossfire spent 19 years and one owner in upper New York in his collection and only driven 4k miles in all of that time, but it spent the the last 18 months of its life in Florida until I bought it and, with that heat down there, the original headliner may have given away and required replacement. I am going to check with the PO down there - I don't think he replaced it, but he may know if it was done prior to his ownership. I sure hope that you've hit on the issue, that would make life simpler!
Thanks again guys!