Recently purchased a 2006 XJ8-L, 18,000 a smokin deal, but no seat heaters. First car in years without, but could not pass up on the deal....looks, rides and smells new

Want to add seat heaters and searching through the threads, but not finding much. If I do, I want to use factory switches if possible.

I have heard the elements may be in the seats, and all that may be needed are switches and controllers? Is there an easy way without dismantling the seats to see if the elements are already there? Also, anyone know what will be needed to do the upgrade myself? Will try to find salvage parts if possible to cut down on costs.

Thanks to any help that may be coming.

Cheers,

Tim in Arizona (if you are wondering, in Northern Arizona where it gets cold and snows, not all hot an over 100 Degrees!!!, need my tukus warmed in the winter!)

 

Re-read my post, the 18,000 refers to miles. Just felt compelled to clarify

 

Living in South Wales, UK, where it's cold and wet, I like the idea of retro-fit/activation of heated seats!

I shall watch this thread like a hawk awaiting a nice and easy (and cheap!) solution!

Chris

 

My instincts are that you will not be able to come up with an econimic and viable way to retrofit OEM seat warmers. Given what you want to do, I hope I'm wrong.

You may want to check out some after mkt. products. I'm going to do an internet search to see if such products are even out there. It's a puzzle. Here I am in central Fla with my seat warmers that have never been used and there you guys are in Wales and Arizona with cold *****.Go figure.

Speaking of Fla, I could do with an AC vented seat cooling. Fat chance for my fat a--.

 

Just did an internet search for "automotive seat warmers". The mkt. is eat up with them. Some are very nice looling.

 

Thanks all....I have now purchased the OEM switches for front and back, now how to figure out the install, aftermarket or otherwise.

Would really love to find seats where parts are available, but unsure what else may be needed as far as control units.

Once I figure this all out, i will post pics....Where there is a will there is a way, hopefully not a horribly expensive will!

 

The electrical guide just shows the switches connected to the Front or Rear Electronic Module then in to the heater elements.

The next question is are the wires already there. I suspect the answer is no because there are different part numbers for front looms with or without heated seats. There is also a separate part number for a seat heater link lead in the rear.

The parts book shows lots of different part numbers for the elements depending on seat style and trim level but as a guide the costs for the VDP are:

Front squab - 67GBP each
Front Cushion - 62GBP each

Rear squab - 42GBP each
Rear cushion - 66GBP each

 

I have heated seats and have removed the rear seat. There is 2 connectors attaching to the lower seat on each side. If you have wires there is a pssibility they have the elements. It's an easy way to check. I have opened up the center consloe and found a couple of unused connectors that I believe would be for the rear entertainment or 4 zone air.

 

Thanks for the help so far. The part numbers are a big help. Need to translate into Arizona dollars. Anyone know where I can get the electric schematics for the seats? Haven't started dismantling yet, but agree with another poster, really don't know the car until you start taking it apart. Doubt I will find the wires as Jag as of late has been pretty particular about only putting in necessary wires. I'll find out!

 

See attached.

 

Yes I swore my next car would have that, but fell in love with the Jag and there you go... I used to have a 2004 Navigator with "climate control seats" and let me tell you, you have not lived until you climb into a 100 degree car and feel the cooling breeze on your back. Best invention ever. The Hyundai Genesis has it on the driver side only, and I expect they will not hold their values very well - hopefully can pick one up as a nice summer time beater eventually

 

Some of the facelift X350's (2008 on in the US?) had cooled seats so you could have had your Jag and cooled seats.

 

I fell in love with the color of mine, although they did have a 2008 that was "almost as nice" of a color - a metallic dark green. Not sure if it had cooled seats or not, never got that far because my wife was with me and she actually laughed out loud when the salesman quoted the price on that one: $38,000

 

Well, after a bunch of research and this very helpful group of people (thanks everyone ) I have installed the factory switches, obtained from E-bay for around $20.00 total. The wiring for the heated seats is there, so this was an easy install.

I have found the wiring under the seats in the rear and under each front seat, so now all I need are the back and seat elements. On the hunt for a salvaged XJ where I can either get the grids, or have been looking and may be able to pick them up new for a few bucks. Not sure about installation, but willing to try.

What an adventure for a warm bottom......snowy in Northern Arizona today, and I am going to miss the warmth

Happy New Year everyone

Tim

 

congrats on getting this far... Ebay seems to sell plenty of interiors, maybe you can convince a seller to sell the seats seperately...

Keep us updated!

Chris

 

A cheap solution would be to buy aftermarket elements and have a shop installed them under your current seats. I found the elements for around $90 a seat.

 

Thanks for the tip Drew. Can you use the factory switches??? I am really trying to keep it as factory "looking" as possible.

Tim

 

I would say yes, you would just have to cut off or splice into the factory connectors. Most aftermarket elements I have found have thermastats built into them. One company claimed they provide most elements for OEM applications.

 

Travis of AZ..............posting Aug 2010....seat heater a must in my jag but want factory looking install...........I was looking at a 2000 XJ8 and it has NO seat heaters.....can't imagine....my thought was as yours!! Have you found GRIDS for your install?

Thanks Brett the Cloudskimmer

 

Hello there from Calgary Canada

I have a 2006 XJ8 with no heated seats. I have purchased factory heated seats and the on off switches along with the navigation and climate control. The parts came from a 2005 XJ8. I need to know if any one has done the conversion and do I need any other components or programming. Any help or directions is very much appreciated

Barry