Has anyone ever tried to add seat heaters to the rear seats? Is it possible? Would it be worth the effort to do this?

I am guessing I could buy the elements and switches somewhere (not sure they would even have to be acura parts, except the switches) and try to install them. How hard is it to take the rear seat apart?

Is there anything in the rear seats that would prevent me from doing this?

 

Thats actually kind of an interesting thought. I bet the electrical hookups would be a BITCH though. not to mention trying to take apart the rear seats, and having the leather re-attached properly so it looks like it was never altered. I would just assume it would be too complicated.

 

The heating pads are quite expensive, although I'm sure you can get any brand as long as they will fit. *I* wouldn't do this mod, but that's because I'm usually driving and wouldn't get to enjoy it (I mean, do I *really* owe my friends ~$1,000 worth of luxury for their behinds??!...they can enjoy the heated passenger seat)

 

It's mainly for my daughter. I feel guilty having the heater in the winter while she sits in back freezing on the cold leather. I usually have her sit on a blanket or towel.

I figured this mod wouldn't be easy or cheap, but I was just curious if anyone had done it. I couldn't find anything related under search so I thought I'd ask.

I also figured that I would just do the two seat bottoms, not the backs, and this would save a little money as I could use the passenger side elements. Anyone know how much these are with the switches?

Would these elements need their own fuse and is there room in the fuse box?

Thanks for the replies.

 

You could tap into the wiring for the front heaters, and run the wires to the rear. Intercept the signal with a new switch for the rear, so you could have an indepedent operation.

You're going to have to tap the wires before the front heater switch, because otherwise the wires from the switch to the front heater won't be "hot" unless it's switched on. And you won't have power to the rears unless the fronts are on. This would require taking out the center console.

For the actual heater element, take out the rear bottom cushion, cut a slot in it, and slide the heater element in. However, I'm not sure if the material is the same as the front and hold up to the heat. It's some sort of a sponge/styrofoam material, as far as I could tell.

 

Probably not a good idea... this would likely draw too much current and continually blow fuses, especially when both heaters are switched on at the same time.

You would want to run a seperate power lead directly to the battery with a SPDT relay to trigger when the key is in the on position... much like how the stock heaters are now. Proper fusing would also be critical.

 

Good call.

 

many places that do aftermarket conversion can and will do it. my dad checked into it for his last caddy and it was only like 500 for the parts and install.

 

it might be cheaper and easier to just get an electric blanket that can run off of the cigarette lighter. as long as it doesn't get too hot, you can probably tuck it into the seams.

 

Ken1997TL has heaters in his rear seats I believe.

 

not trying to be a jerk, but in all honesty, i really don't think it would be as difficult as anyone thinks.

tedious, maybe. difficult, not in particular.

the key is though, getting the element in without damaging the leather. i have had the backseat out a few times and wanted to do this mod during the summer. i agree that you could probably cut a slit in the seat cushion and slide it on in. if you didn't mind the downtime, you could most likely have a professional tailor remove the leather cover, put in the pad and sew it back in a day or two.

you can buy cheaper heating pads from www.grandprixstore.com, complete with *flush mount* switches. the OEM acura switches are deep and it would be tough to put them somewhere.

any ideas on where to mount the switch? i would say you could lift up the carpet and run wires underneath to flush mount it into the carpet where the hump is on the floor. even in the ashtray in the rear fan console. just my ideas.

11psiGSR was correct about blowing fuses. i would pick other innocuous power lines. like the sunroof motor, or something similar which wouldn't get used so much.

just my 2 cents.

SSTS

 

Thanks for the info guys. I'll look for an auto upholsterer near me and see what kind of fee they would charge.

I never thought of the electric blanket idea. That might work temporarily until I decide what to do on a permanent basis.

My thoughts on mounting the switches was to put them somewhere on the center console. I could remove the ashtray/storage compartment and make some kind of bracket to match the interior. Or I could just mount them on the console soemwhere else. I wouldn't want them on the floor as they will get kicked and trampled.

Thanks again for the input.

 

http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/afcarseathea.html

I had a 2.2 CL and added this heated seat. It took about 2 hours to wire and install. This unit has hi low switches. I was thinking about putting this in my car too. You would have to take the seats apart and un-hook the springs holding the leather to the foam. This system was in my car for three months and I had no problems. You would just need to make sure that the switches are attatched to a switched lead from the battery.
I would consider putting the switches in a custom pannel inside the rear storage under the air vents. Since it is your daughter, I would have a cutoff in the front seat area so you can controll useage.

 

I have heated rear seats in my '97 TL. I did NOT do the work myself, but I DID find the parts for it. In some countries the RL/Legend had heated rear seats, so I ordered those pads (about $750 with friend prices).

The key is to NOT overload the alternator or else you start sucking up the battery. I rarely have more than 2 seats heated at one time.

 

Okay- so the rear seats have two or three bolts down between where the bottom and back of the seats meet. Just push it a bit around where the seatbelts are and use a length addition to a socket set. After that, there's two U clips that just pop out when you pull up.

You will quickly see how uninteresting the back seat it. It's all bright-yellow foam with some leather stapled around it.

I've never added heating pads, but I'd imagine that you would want to peel back some of the leather. I'd personally slice the foam about an inch from the top (for added comfort) and slide the heating pad in, regluing down the leather.

And yes- run a dedicated power line- you don't want to be tapping anything for a high-draw application like that.


Another consideration is of course those heat-packs that are chemical based. Just put them on the seat for a minute when it's really cold out... probably less classy though...