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Never thought I'd love it as much as I do, but I'm a big fan of the heated steering wheel on my 991.2. It's so great, that when the hand goes down to the cold shifter, I can't help but notice the difference and wish that there was heating there too. Hard to believe manufacturers don't already do this. Though given that the manual is dying we should be thankful Porsche even still makes them. And yes the incongruence of having a manly shifter, and wanting luxury heating for it is not lost on me.
But during these cold SF Bay days, I need heat for my delicate hands. Can't imagine what it's like for all you chumps out there in actual cold weather. 😜
Have been mulling this for a while, so am finally diving in. Can't be too hard, right? Of course, safety is paramount.
Tap fuse at location D1 in driver's side fuse panel, switched power (usually for rear wiper)
Run power wire from fuse box across underside of dash to the center console
Run power to temp controller that will be mounted within center console, ground to somewhere in center console
May put a switch inline if I can't figure out a way to integrate with steering wheel button
Will have a connector between power wire/ground and switch
Use temp controller to regulate heating element at about 40 degrees C (controller has a temp sensor)
Mount temp controller with velcro somewhere inside center console
Heating element wrapped around metal base of shifter
Will have a connector between heating element and temp controller so that shift **** remains removable
Mount temperature probe to metal in continuity with shift ****
Area where heating element will wrap around:
Parts so far:
Questions:
Ok, so this is where I need help from all the wiring gurus out there: control of the heated shifter. In order of preference:
ideally heated shifter would come on when heated steering wheel is activated by pressing button on steering wheel
heated seat button would be an alternative
separate power switch as a last choice
Heated steering wheel button
Anyone know how I might accomplish this?
I can't seem to locate a heated steering fuse or relay
But there's got to be a relay, right? Can anyone point me to it? Somewhere under dash, before the steering column? I don't plan to tap into the wires going into the steering wheel heating element itself, since I would then have to run back through the clock spring.
But if I can find the relay, I can just get power from that, or use that power to switch another relay going to the shifter temperature controller (heating wire, btw, has a very minimal current draw)
Heated seat button
Same strategy, could get power from the relays under the seat, but would much rather have control from the heated steering wheel button, since I often use just heated steering and not heated seats, and since steering and shifter touch points are the natural pair
Separate Switch
Can always do this, but who wants to mount an ugly switch somewhere?
I'm no electrician, so would appreciate any help. Thanks!
I think wrapping the heat tape around the base where you indicated, it will take forever for the heat to reach the shifter ball. Can the heat tape be moved further up?
If you have the smokers package near the center console, placement of a hidden button and even power supply might be easier.
Thank you for this, I do have the smoker's package so will be thinking about this. I'd like to strive for the elegance of being activated along with heated steering, but placing a switch in the ashtray would definitely be easier!
This might work facing upwards on the back wall of the ash tray if there is room. Like the Aventador start button, but for heated shifter. What cheezy goodness that would be.
Originally Posted by Jim M.
I think wrapping the heat tape around the base where you indicated, it will take forever for the heat to reach the shifter ball. Can the heat tape be moved further up?
What you see indicated by the green arrows is actually the base of the all metal shift ****, so I'm hoping it will not take too long to warm the top of the ****. That is the highest I could possibly place the heating element. But you're right, heat getting transmitted elsewhere is a concern (all to the Numeric assembly, LOL. Smoother shifts FTW?).
I was able to locate this wiring diagram from the service manual:
I think this would describe connectors at the back of the steering wheel control unit (the whole piece that holds the clock spring and instrument stalks). Perhaps I can tap the wires from behind the steering column? Tap into Steering Wheel Heater + (RED/BLU)?
Control unit is the part in gray:
Also, I don't think there is a relay for the heated steering. Probably the control unit itself is powered and somehow switches the power itself?
If anyone with electrical knowledge can interpret the above diagrams and how they might be of use for this project, I'd really appreciate a nudge in the right direction.
Awesome idea and execution so far! I believe that the heated wheel switch is activated via can bus-which means you won’t be able to control it via a normal +12v switch/relay. I’m with you for the factory integration, however I think your best bet is to tap into the seat heaters (if they don’t operate on can-bus also and rely on a typical +12v setup). If they also operate on Can-bus, then a switch is your next option. Maybe try to make one of the column switch blanks functional for it?
Awesome idea and execution so far! I believe that the heated wheel switch is activated via can bus-which means you won’t be able to control it via a normal +12v switch/relay. I’m with you for the factory integration, however I think your best bet is to tap into the seat heaters (if they don’t operate on can-bus also and rely on a typical +12v setup). If they also operate on Can-bus, then a switch is your next option. Maybe try to make one of the column switch blanks functional for it?
Thank you, polobai! Can you explain why it would not be possible to tap into a power wire even with a CAN bus? I understand that the network will manage the commands, but won't a power wire go live downstream of the CAN bus at some point (even if there is not a relay or usual 12V system)? Could we not tap into that wire right before it heads into the clock spring? But yeah I get you, a separate switch is probably looking like the way to go...
Would love to use the blank spots on the center column panel, but pretty sure these switches are operated by Can-bus and would have to be programmed. Was researching and others have talked about using that bank for other purposes, even putting in a manual non can-bus switch, but apparently there's no room under the buttons.
From what I understand the can bus lines can control many other functions based on voltages applied as well-but I’m not versed in them and would be weary of tapping +12v to the wires. To use the center blanks you would have to come up with a creative way to make the dummy blanks function (micro switch underneath, etc) rather than reprogramming.
Interesting idea, before diving too far into this project you may want to bench test with an external power source to if the **** will truly heat up with the heating element set so low. Good luck!
04-16-2023, 08:24 PM
Project Heated Shift ****
