Heated Seats question

[DarkStar!]

Can someone with factory heated seats tell me where the heat is concentrated.
Does it come from the bottom cushion like the jaguars or does it heat at the small of the back like the volkswagens? Has anyone installed them after the fact? I'm sure it's just a heating element that slips in between the cushion and the leather, but are the 996's pre-wired both at the seat and at the batwing?

Please advise... Nothing helps my aching lower back more than heat on the way home.

E

[Andrew D.]

I ordered them from the factory on my '04 C4S and the warmth felt like it came from the lower back. The seats heated quickly and were trouble-free.

[Aerkuld]

I have heated seats but it's been way too warm to use them. Just for you I'll check on my way home this evening and report back. Watch this space!

[Aerkuld]

OK - I tried to tell where the heat comes from on the seats and it definitely comes from the seat squab under one's backside, and likely from the lower back of the backrest too. It's difficult to tell when the seats are already warm and when I don't know if I'm making the back warmer when I sit in it. I'll try again in the morning when it may drop below 65. I should be able to confirm my suspicion that the back heats too.

[Aerkuld]

Definitely heats the back too. Without taking my seats apart, which I currently have no inclination to do, I don't think I can answer your other questions, but my best guess would be that all the wiring would be there. Wiring harnesses are relatively cheap and it would make more sense to standardise on one wiring harness for all cars and just leave the connections you don't need. It gets complicated having to fit different harnesses to different cars depending on specification. As for what actually heats the seat I would imagine it would be something like an electric heating blanket. You maybe better off looking for some used heated seats, but that's up to you.
Hope this helps.

[DarkStar!]

That helps a lot. Thanks for your observations.

E

[NICKG]

I am looking to do this in my boxster. the heated seat elements are in the cushions apparently and they are like 200 per seat to get ,,,plus the harness and controller

[DarkStar!]

Hey NickG

I read on another forum that the 996's are made with specific options in mind. The harnesses are not just installed at the factory for all the options. At least, they said, this is the case for the memory seats. It may be the same for the heated seats. I hope not. Because if it's just a matter of getting the element and the wires and plugging it in to an existing harness. That should be a piece of cake.

E

[NICKG]

Originally Posted by DarkStar!

Hey NickG

I read on another forum that the 996's are made with specific options in mind. The harnesses are not just installed at the factory for all the options. At least, they said, this is the case for the memory seats. It may be the same for the heated seats. I hope not. Because if it's just a matter of getting the element and the wires and plugging it in to an existing harness. That should be a piece of cake.

E

generally speaking that is correct. i am gonna add heated seats to my boxster in a month or so(when i get my commision check)

[Aerkuld]

Originally Posted by DarkStar!

Hey NickG

I read on another forum that the 996's are made with specific options in mind. The harnesses are not just installed at the factory for all the options. At least, they said, this is the case for the memory seats. It may be the same for the heated seats. I hope not. Because if it's just a matter of getting the element and the wires and plugging it in to an existing harness. That should be a piece of cake.

E

My guess was just that - a guess. I based it on my experience of small vehicle assembly, not road going cars.

It does look as though my guess was wrong, but I can provide you with an answer and even some additional help. A quick search turned up this...

http://www.dennisvogel.com/heatedseats/index.html


...which, assuming the guy's Boxster in no different from a 996, should give you all the information you need.