DIY heated seat, successed! cost only $3
12-27-2006, 10:28 PM
#83
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Originally Posted by diggerdave
I'm not sure if I follow (IIRC); are you saying that the passenger seat does not have a heated seat element?
12-28-2006, 11:47 AM
#84
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Seats
It looks like I'll have to find some solder and wire, and disassemble both seats then. I sure hope the new generation TL's have all these goofy little bugs ironed out. I was planning on picking one up after I hit 80k miles on my '00 3.2 TLP, but I'm starting to reconsider.
12-28-2006, 01:24 PM
#85
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WOW, the rear seats are heated? Speaking of which, I know this is off the topic are there any retailers that sell seat covers for the rear seats?
Originally Posted by 02type-s
the backs of our seats are supposd to be heated too??
12-28-2006, 06:36 PM
#86
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Originally Posted by Almondeyez1
WOW, the rear seats are heated? Speaking of which, I know this is off the topic are there any retailers that sell seat covers for the rear seats?
12-28-2006, 06:40 PM
#87
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Originally Posted by Almondeyez1
WOW, the rear seats are heated? Speaking of which, I know this is off the topic are there any retailers that sell seat covers for the rear seats?
To summarize:
Drivers seat ------ bottom and back heated
Passenger seat - bottom heated only
Back seats ------- not heated
12-28-2006, 10:24 PM
#88
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Originally Posted by diggerdave
I'm not sure if I follow (IIRC); are you saying that the passenger seat does not have a heated seat element?
12-29-2006, 12:58 PM
#89
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Replacement Wire?
Originally Posted by SwampGas
IIRC = "if I recall". I'm a NEEEEEERD
Does anyone have info on the type and gauge of wire we need to fix these stupid bun warmers? I decided that I will give fixing it a try before the weather here in Chicago hits sub zero.
12-29-2006, 03:40 PM
#90
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Geee thanx, no need to re-read since you've summarized. 
Originally Posted by FuzzyNutz
No,.. the rear seats are NOT heated. Re-read the thread.
To summarize:
Drivers seat ------ bottom and back heated
Passenger seat - bottom heated only
Back seats ------- not heated
To summarize:
Drivers seat ------ bottom and back heated
Passenger seat - bottom heated only
Back seats ------- not heated
12-29-2006, 04:28 PM
#91
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Originally Posted by diggerdave
I'm pretty white and nerdy myself, but I must be falling behind in my nerd studies.
Does anyone have info on the type and gauge of wire we need to fix these stupid bun warmers? I decided that I will give fixing it a try before the weather here in Chicago hits sub zero.
Does anyone have info on the type and gauge of wire we need to fix these stupid bun warmers? I decided that I will give fixing it a try before the weather here in Chicago hits sub zero.
12-30-2006, 09:09 AM
#92
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Originally Posted by bigdo26
I used just a basic copper wire of slightly larger gage. Stereo speaker wire should work for example, the copper is low resistance and should not heat up.
I never really used the heated seats in S. Florida, but I recently moved back to cold Chicago, and when I clicked it on and noticed that something was afoul when the seat bottom didn't heat up. I bet the wire was frayed from the action of sitting/getting in and out of the car, and it shorted somehow when I clicked it on. In any event, I will be sure to do a thorough soldering job to keep it from burning up again.
01-04-2007, 11:22 AM
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For the person who said their heaters barely heat at all, you are probably only getting body heat from it and the heater is not working at all.
Another thing...
When you have your seat heater on high, it depends on what your temperature setting is on your heater as to how hot the seat will get.
EDIT: You shouldn't use speaker wire! The insulation on speaker wire is very soft and could melt quickly. Since your wire has already burnt out, you may want to make sure that the wire has a high enough rating to withstand the heat and voltage that is used in the heater element...
Another thing...
When you have your seat heater on high, it depends on what your temperature setting is on your heater as to how hot the seat will get.
EDIT: You shouldn't use speaker wire! The insulation on speaker wire is very soft and could melt quickly. Since your wire has already burnt out, you may want to make sure that the wire has a high enough rating to withstand the heat and voltage that is used in the heater element...
01-20-2007, 03:34 PM
#94
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Seat heater flaking out
Really enjoy this community - GREAT RESOURCE!
'01 TL-S...
I was rear-ended last summer ('06) and when I turned on my seat heater this winter, I noticed it wasn't heating up as quickly as I recall and most of heat was in upper part of seat back. I can't tell if bun warmer was working at all.
Anyway, I called my dealer thinking this was due to accident (my seat was forced into fully recline position by impact).
Dealer said seat heaters normally last for only 3 years and quoted me $700 for repair!!!
Not sure if I can handle repairs discussed above, but anyone think I have a burned out wire - the back IS heating up, only much slower than before.
Any thoughts would be really appreciated.
'01 TL-S...
I was rear-ended last summer ('06) and when I turned on my seat heater this winter, I noticed it wasn't heating up as quickly as I recall and most of heat was in upper part of seat back. I can't tell if bun warmer was working at all.
Anyway, I called my dealer thinking this was due to accident (my seat was forced into fully recline position by impact).
Dealer said seat heaters normally last for only 3 years and quoted me $700 for repair!!!
Not sure if I can handle repairs discussed above, but anyone think I have a burned out wire - the back IS heating up, only much slower than before.
Any thoughts would be really appreciated.
01-20-2007, 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by fsttyms1
You use heated seats in 50 deg weather??? 
I wouldnt even consider using them till it dropped below 0, and then i still never used them.
I wouldnt even consider using them till it dropped below 0, and then i still never used them.
01-24-2007, 07:23 PM
#96
Fsstyms1
Hey Kris
Is it possible that with the many hours a day spent in your car and the hours of track time in your car- that you have lost feeling in the area of your body the seat heat would affect?, or maybe a permanent frostbite from living in the great whiteout?
You have to understand folks, this man thinks 25 degrees Farenheit is T shirt weather,lets go wax the car or swap the motor out weather ........ and he drives 75 thousand miles plus a year, and casually dropped a 6 speed manual transmission into his automatic TL- well actually I think he installed in - not just dropped it in there but you get the point!
Hey Kris
Is it possible that with the many hours a day spent in your car and the hours of track time in your car- that you have lost feeling in the area of your body the seat heat would affect?, or maybe a permanent frostbite from living in the great whiteout?
You have to understand folks, this man thinks 25 degrees Farenheit is T shirt weather,lets go wax the car or swap the motor out weather ........ and he drives 75 thousand miles plus a year, and casually dropped a 6 speed manual transmission into his automatic TL- well actually I think he installed in - not just dropped it in there but you get the point!
01-24-2007, 07:29 PM
#97
[QUOTE=D Bronx]Really enjoy this community - GREAT RESOURCE!
'01 TL-S...
I was rear-ended last summer ('06) and when I turned on my seat heater this winter, I noticed it wasn't heating up as quickly as I recall and most of heat was in upper part of seat back. I can't tell if bun warmer was working at all.
Anyway, I called my dealer thinking this was due to accident (my seat was forced into fully recline position by impact).
================================================== ======
If your seat was forced back - that may have damaged its internal strength and the motors or stops or who knows what- the seats are designed to absorb impact and not transfer it to you
Damage the heater who knows?
BUT- If the seat was damaged in the accident- then the insurance should be forced to pay for its replacement, check it out- get a new seat and a heater in one deal
And the normal operatio of the seat is turn on HIGH for a few minutes until you feel the heat- and you WILL feel it when its working, THEN turn to low and leave there, turns off and on as needed to keep seat warm
On HIGH - coil wire never gets a rest unless it hits the overtemp limit and shuts off
Low turns on and off
driver side butt and back heat
passenger butt heat only due to airbag
'01 TL-S...
I was rear-ended last summer ('06) and when I turned on my seat heater this winter, I noticed it wasn't heating up as quickly as I recall and most of heat was in upper part of seat back. I can't tell if bun warmer was working at all.
Anyway, I called my dealer thinking this was due to accident (my seat was forced into fully recline position by impact).
================================================== ======
If your seat was forced back - that may have damaged its internal strength and the motors or stops or who knows what- the seats are designed to absorb impact and not transfer it to you
Damage the heater who knows?
BUT- If the seat was damaged in the accident- then the insurance should be forced to pay for its replacement, check it out- get a new seat and a heater in one deal
And the normal operatio of the seat is turn on HIGH for a few minutes until you feel the heat- and you WILL feel it when its working, THEN turn to low and leave there, turns off and on as needed to keep seat warm
On HIGH - coil wire never gets a rest unless it hits the overtemp limit and shuts off
Low turns on and off
driver side butt and back heat
passenger butt heat only due to airbag
02-04-2007, 06:09 AM
#98
Racer
driver seat not moving
took me about three hours yesterday to fix back and bottom, put everything back, checked and working fine, last night driving i tried to move the seat, and wont move at all.
what you guys think, is there any Diagram i can refer too.
thanks
what you guys think, is there any Diagram i can refer too.
thanks
02-04-2007, 10:21 AM
#99
Originally Posted by trance957
took me about three hours yesterday to fix back and bottom, put everything back, checked and working fine, last night driving i tried to move the seat, and wont move at all.
what you guys think, is there any Diagram i can refer too.
thanks
what you guys think, is there any Diagram i can refer too.
thanks
Did the seat move right after the repair?
Maybe you shorted something out when you ran the seat heater. Is the seat heater still working?
Bob
02-04-2007, 02:23 PM
#100
Racer
Originally Posted by Bob_F
Did you doublecheck all the connections before putting it back together?
Did the seat move right after the repair?
Maybe you shorted something out when you ran the seat heater. Is the seat heater still working?
Bob
Did the seat move right after the repair?
Maybe you shorted something out when you ran the seat heater. Is the seat heater still working?
Bob
and yes the heater still working, is it possilbe that i connect couple wire wrong,
02-05-2007, 09:10 PM
#101
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How hot does your seat back get? I know that when I turn my seat on high (I don't use it long though) the bottom is very hot, but the back doesn't seem to be to warm... Is that normal?
02-06-2007, 03:55 AM
#102
Racer
driver seat not moving...pt2
last night spend about 10 minutes just looking at all connectors, and found out the two connecters where the switch is, are misplaced,
now its working fine and dandy.
now its working fine and dandy.
02-06-2007, 04:25 AM
#103
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Originally Posted by redsly
How hot does your seat back get? I know that when I turn my seat on high (I don't use it long though) the bottom is very hot, but the back doesn't seem to be to warm... Is that normal?
03-21-2007, 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by bigbluecanuck
Can someone give me the size gauge and amperage I would need for this job??
11-28-2007, 07:08 PM
#111
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This is my next project when i get my tranny done. I'm going to have to be taking the back part apart too since it does not heat up at all now
10-14-2008, 09:37 PM
#114
match exactly- whatever is used -
I think its strand wire so it can move and bend with the seat
It looks like an electric blanket with the wire elements running thru it
I think its strand wire so it can move and bend with the seat
It looks like an electric blanket with the wire elements running thru it
10-15-2008, 09:32 AM
#118
maybe the heavy duty speaker wire?? lol
I dont honestly know type/guage- just cut out the bad section and take it to hardware store
You wont use the 1 foot minimum they sell you in the repair
Only the driver side gets heat in low back and butt
Passenger only butt heat- side airbag issue prevents install of low back heat on that seat
Check the switch and fuses, power is getting to the seat --before digging further
You must remove the seat from the car- hog ring clips secure the leather cover and you need access to them to remove the cover
Mark the wires connected to/under the seat so you put it back together right
Then peel off the cover and the liner plastic- (like a dry cleaner bag.. if its gets damaged-makes cover reinstall easy)
Now you are at the heater liner and the prob should be like the pics in this thread
A burnt section of wire---about where a mans wallet would put extra pressure on it
I dont honestly know type/guage- just cut out the bad section and take it to hardware store
You wont use the 1 foot minimum they sell you in the repair
Only the driver side gets heat in low back and butt
Passenger only butt heat- side airbag issue prevents install of low back heat on that seat
Check the switch and fuses, power is getting to the seat --before digging further
You must remove the seat from the car- hog ring clips secure the leather cover and you need access to them to remove the cover
Mark the wires connected to/under the seat so you put it back together right
Then peel off the cover and the liner plastic- (like a dry cleaner bag.. if its gets damaged-makes cover reinstall easy)
Now you are at the heater liner and the prob should be like the pics in this thread
A burnt section of wire---about where a mans wallet would put extra pressure on it
10-15-2008, 09:33 AM
#119
note- removing the seat from its 4 bolts is the easy part of the job!!
10-16-2008, 06:53 AM
#120
Drifting
It sounds as if this is pretty common. Mine doesn't work either. Hope to get it fixed before it gets cold. I would think it is important to take your time & make certain your splice is a high quality one to hold up to the stress. You don't want to take it all apart again if you can avoid it.