Adding Heated Seats

[BoxsterBob - CA]

Originally Posted by boko

Does anyone know if you can get heated seats installed or activated on a 03 Boxster S? Having bought a car without them I have found that I miss them!!!!!!!

Here's a good reference site:

Heated Seat Hack

[docdyh]

as you can see, it involves quite a bit of work...

[Cloudsurfer]

I'd like to do this at some point myself...having been well aware of the need to create an additional harness, its not the simple project of swapping seats some think it is.

Its really too bad that Porsche can't do things the BMW way (one harness, and the option codes just plug into it).

Patrick

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

It's not a difficult task at all really, especially if you have some experience using Hog Rings and upholstery, and you could farm that portion out to an Upholstery Shop for minimum cost.

But, adding the Porsche system is not the way to go at all.

I am planning to do this if I keep my car and have already sourced the Heaters - www.heaterseats.com and adding in the Porsche OEM Switches instead of those with the kit - PN# 996.613.152.00 (01 for Matte Finish). These guys supply Seat Heaters for practically everyone and I suspect they may for Porsche as well, but don't advertise it.

You might also need to get a pair of interlocking Relay Boxes (don't know if they're included in the kit), but the best source for these is Painless Wiring - http://www.painlessperformance.com or WayTek Wire - www.waytekwire.com/bosch-automotive-relays.htm . You can also use Molex Connectors to easily use the OEM Switches from - http://www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/molex/jsp/contact/mxcontact.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0920931359.11768748 64@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccgaddkjjhmifjcflgcehedffgdfmk.0&channel=Contact%20Us&channelId=-8863&pageTitle=Find%20a%20Distributor making it Plug & Play

There are several sources to pull the power from, both switched and unswitched and the wiring diagram is simple, though contrary to the Installation Guide, I would use Relays for the High Current to the heaters themselves and low current for the switches. See their Installation .pdf here - http://www.heaterseats.com/installation.pdf

If you can install a Car Stereo, this Mod would pose no problem at all. In fact, it is easier than several of the Stereo installs I have done over the years. Hope this helps...

[blinkwatt]

Jim,

Could you please write a D.I.Y. if you decide to install heated seats to your Boxster? Where would you tap into the power supply to power the seats?

[wpruitt]

that the best thing to do is not try and match the Porsche heated seat solution but use selected components for the original look. However (not being intelligent in electrical components) in my mind the problem is the momentary switches and the appropriate relays for them. I was under the impression that momentary switches require latching relays and I have not been able to find a latching relay that will work with a two level heating system. Am I wrong in this?
Warren

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

Jim,

Could you please write a D.I.Y. if you decide to install heated seats to your Boxster? Where would you tap into the power supply to power the seats?

Hi,

Yes, I will. There are any number of power sources. Probably the best place to tap the power would be any of the unused circuits at the Fuse Block (D4, E2, E9, E10) depending upon your model year or the unused Telephone Circuit (E8), already living under the Center Console...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

@wpruitt - you only would need a DPDT Relay and these are common. Treat each switch setting as a separate circuit . Tap into the existing Cig. Ashtray lamp for switch illumination function and you're good to go...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99