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I will be watching this thread as I have wanted to upgrade my seat heaters after sitting in my wife's 2015 Escape. Her heaters heat a LOT better and are adjustable(0-5) for heat output as well. I have been wanting to see if a button like hers could be made to retrofit in our seat heater on/off button.
...my wife's 2015 Escape. Her heaters heat a LOT better and are adjustable(0-5) for heat output as well. I have been wanting to see if a button like hers could be made to retrofit in our seat heater on/off button.
Rob
I think this would be fairly easy, Rob. If mine had not BOTH caught fire, I would be on it like white on rice. However, since mine burnt out (literally), I have deleted them from my truck. Someone else with some electrical savvy will show up soon, I hope, to pioneer your idea.
I replaced both front seat heaters and added ones to both second and third row seats. They work perfect. We used some aftermarket oned that the local upholsterer uses. If you have a local guy near you ask them. Wiring them to the factory switch was no problem.
My passenger seat heat is working. Light comes on and after 1-2 min I do feel warmth on the bottom and on the back in the lower lumbar area. My driver's seat, the light lights up but I do not feel anything getting warm. A little Googling and I found what claims to be the or very much like the one used in OEM vehicles:
Dorman - 628-040 - Universal Seat Heater Element
From $36 online
The kits include two seat heater pads--one for the seat cushion and the other for the backrest. They also include a harness, wire ties, installation tool, and upholstery rings--everything needed for the installation. The stranded wires in the kits are insulated to increase durability and to help improve electrical safety. Dorman seat heaters are all quality-tested for a trouble-free installation and outstanding performance.
I might order one and see. Looks good that it states it only has 1 switch and does not mention anything about levels of heat, multiple settings etc etc.
you can just repair your stock ones with a soldering iron and some wire.
I'm sure its possible, it's just a heating element like whats in your toaster, but at a lower voltage/amperage. But if it broke in one place, and it's now 13+ years old... I like the idea of putting a new flexible element in.
Rob,
Yes, they do make aftermarket seat heaters with a variety of control options. Your either going to need to know your current seat heater wiring to get power, or run the new wires that are in the heater kits. Just check out this one I found on Amazon that has a variety of switch (and price) options:
My X don’t have heated seats, but my 01 Explorer does and the drivers seat bottom stopped working. I think before next fall I will replace it with something from the place I linked in my previous post. And my sons Benz seat bottom heater isn’t working either. I’ll probably order 2 repair kits. They offer just the elements to repair bad factory elements.
We've wanted to add heated seat option to one of the second row seats for some time. Haven't gotten there yet, but watching
Mike- what do you think caused your seat heaters to catch fire (a link is fine if you wrote it up, not to derail this thread)
At the end of the day it is only power supply, time and temp limits, and durability of wires and heater (and no-pinching of wires)
Any problem with the cushion foam breaking down? I read many years ago about certain foams (not Superduties) not holding up to the seat heaters if retrofitted.
They both caught fire in the front of the seat near the hog ring fastening point. I guess the heater got too far down in the crack there over the years. Two nice, big, burnt holes in my seat foam cushions.
They both caught fire in the front of the seat near the hog ring fastening point. I guess the heater got too far down in the crack there over the years. Two nice, big, burnt holes in my seat foam cushions.
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(a link is fine if you wrote it up, not to derail this thread) 
