Heated seats retrofit easy/possible?
#1
Racer
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Hi folks,
I am seriously considering a pre-owned 996, but it doesn't have heated seats. It is the only option that I really want that's not in the car.
So how easy is it to retrofit the heating element into the existing seats of the car? Has anyone done this or heard of anyone doing it with success?
Thanks in advance...
I am seriously considering a pre-owned 996, but it doesn't have heated seats. It is the only option that I really want that's not in the car.
So how easy is it to retrofit the heating element into the existing seats of the car? Has anyone done this or heard of anyone doing it with success?
Thanks in advance...
#3
Drifting
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I put them in my 2000 996 Cab based on this DIY
http://dennisvogel.com/heatedseats/index.html
There are some minor differences between a Boxster and a 996. Mostly the switch locations.
http://dennisvogel.com/heatedseats/index.html
There are some minor differences between a Boxster and a 996. Mostly the switch locations.
#4
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Thanks, this is exactly what I saw when I searched. But it sounds like a major pita... However, I congratulate you and MANY MANY thanks for posting such great detail. Each time I contribute, I also try to make great pains to make my instructions as clear as possible. You, on the other hand, have gone even well beyond that and have produced a very good hot-to document...
#5
Drifting
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I've done this twice, once as an upgrade and once due to failure, LS400 in both cases. Bought new seat heaters off of ebay both times.
Tedious but rather easy work.
Tedious but rather easy work.
#6
Drifting
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The install based on Vogel's DIY is really not that bad. Parts are $700-$800 and the time is probbly 6-8 hrs. You may need an upholstery shop to do the hog clamps in the seats unless you want to by the special pliers, on ebay for less than $10. If you want to proceed let me know, I have a parts list updated to the 996.
#7
Drifting
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The install based on Vogel's DIY is really not that bad. Parts are $700-$800 and the time is probbly 6-8 hrs. You may need an upholstery shop to do the hog clamps in the seats unless you want to by the special pliers, on ebay for less than $10. If you want to proceed let me know, I have a parts list updated to the 996.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Unive...Q5fAccessories
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#9
Burning Brakes
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Some food for thought: when I was shopping for my P-car, heated seats were a must. That was based on my experience (and my wife's) with the heated seats in my Audi A6. We both love them and joke about not wanting to get out of the car on a cold night.
Anyway, I got an '02 C4S with heated seats but was disappointed in them compared to the Audi. First, the P-car has only two settings, low and high. The Audi is infinitely adjustable. Secondly, the P-car seats seem to heat only on the seat bottom, not the seat back. That is much less satisfying than the Audi which warms the entire seat.
So - if you haven't already done so, be sure to test drive the heated seats to make sure you really want them before going to all the work.
Anyway, I got an '02 C4S with heated seats but was disappointed in them compared to the Audi. First, the P-car has only two settings, low and high. The Audi is infinitely adjustable. Secondly, the P-car seats seem to heat only on the seat bottom, not the seat back. That is much less satisfying than the Audi which warms the entire seat.
So - if you haven't already done so, be sure to test drive the heated seats to make sure you really want them before going to all the work.
#10
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First, the P-car has only two settings, low and high. The Audi is infinitely adjustable. Secondly, the P-car seats seem to heat only on the seat bottom, not the seat back. That is much less satisfying than the Audi which warms the entire seat.
So - if you haven't already done so, be sure to test drive the heated seats to make sure you really want them before going to all the work.
So - if you haven't already done so, be sure to test drive the heated seats to make sure you really want them before going to all the work.
Thanks for the input. Although my wife says, "we're not going to be driving it in the winter", I also don't drive the Boxster S in the winter yet I use the heated seats all the time. Maybe I should just restrict the search to cars with heated seats...
#11
Drifting
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Why not 'just' buy a used set of heated 996 seats and install them. On every P-car I have had, the electrical connection from the car to the seat is the same and that electrical umbilical powers all seat electrics. In other words you simply plug & play. You will have to run a jumper between the seat and install a seat switch in your arm rest. You could also sell your unmodified seats to somebody else as well. Sorry if this has already been suggested - I am sneaking at work...
#12
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Why not 'just' buy a used set of heated 996 seats and install them. On every P-car I have had, the electrical connection from the car to the seat is the same and that electrical umbilical powers all seat electrics. In other words you simply plug & play. You will have to run a jumper between the seat and install a seat switch in your arm rest. You could also sell your unmodified seats to somebody else as well. Sorry if this has already been suggested - I am sneaking at work...
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#13
Drifting
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Worked great when swapping seats on my 993's. One harness did it all. Oh well - I guess they REALLY got cheap.
#14
Drifting
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Each car has a specifc wiring harness based on the options in the car. If your car did not have heated seats then you will need to do the wiring per the DIY. You also need the switches and relays. Really not that hard to do.
#15
Drifting
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My 993's had a 'generic' wiring harness that went 'to' the seats. The seat had a plug that fit the generic harness regardless of seat configuration - only the 'hot' leads in the seat-side of the harness got juice. Simple and VERY engineeringly smart. I'm still going to bet that the 996 is the same way. Again it sounds like the 996 skimped on the engineering and design side.