Par

Need some help guys. I had this problem 4-5 months ago and it cleared itself up but now starting up again.

For some unknown reason my steering wheel heater kicks in. My understanding is that the wheel should only heat up when I set my seat warmer on but this morning I started the car and after a minute or so the steering heated up.

Is there a temp sensor or something I need to change. Do I need to go dealer? I know they'll charge me arm and leg as my extended warranty will not cover this.

Helpful advise needed.

MP4.2+6.0

If switch is off, that should be the end of it. What does it say in the display when you toggle the switch on and off?

Separately, my wheel does feel a bit warm sometimes in a few places when I'm driving and it is clearly turned off, but I have pretty much concluded simply the sun hitting the black leather can make it feel a bit warmer--I only notice it with strong sun coming in through the windshield.

Par

Unfortunately I don't have a on/off switch as some have said they have on later models of the A8. I search high and low for any type of switch on steering wheel or anywhere else but nothing. After some reading I've concluded that for my '04 the wheel is turned on by my heated seat settings. Interesting thing is that my seat stays cool (as it should when seat heater is at zero) so must be a separate actuator for steering and seat.

WRT you second comment, I agree that sometimes the wheel does feel warm if the sun had hit it for some time or if I'm holding it on one spot for some time but trust me this is not the same. The wheel is very hot almost to point where I have to keep moving my hands around so not to burn them. I'm thinking this is not good for the wheel either as it could be a fire hazard.

Not sure if there is a separate fuse I could remove in the meantime either.

MP4.2+6.0

into top side of lower left steering wheel spoke, very close in to the horn/airbag assembly. It's not easy to find if you don't know to look there, and it's very non-descript. Given W12's are fishmouth to start, mine has the later style wheel with the similarly shaped airbag center for reference.

Der Kimbo

The heating element will turn on when the cabin temperature drops below 59F.

lkeneston

My 04 comes on with the drivers seat heater, i think

Mister Bally

the cabin temp is low.