I'm considering purchasing a 1996 XJS that does not come with seat heaters.

Does anyone know if everything is there for the seat heaters, all it takes is to purchase the correct power buttons for it at the door and plug it in?

Typically, car makers seem to assemble the car with all the parts, they just leave out the appropriate buttons, or fuses for the options.

For instance, I know that all cars that offered a trunk mounted CD changer, are always prewired for the changers. Power side mirrors are usually prewired as well.

The XJS' all come prewired for trip computers too, even though most came with clocks.

 

I'm pretty sure in this case you'll find no seat heater coils in the seats. I'm in the process of trying to get my drivers side heater replaced. I had found an entire seat in good condition but it had no heater.
I have found on ebay a universal heated seat kit and plan to use in place of the factory. They're actually quite easy to install if you're patient and have a bit of experience in removing the seat.

 

Do you know if all the wiring is there? I can try to keep
My seats?

 

A quick peek at the diagrams shows the heaters themselves, two seat heater control modules, and the switches. Even if the wiring is there I sorta doubt that the control modules are, and it's virtually a sure bet that the heating elements themselves aren't.

IMHO, aftermarket seat heater kits are the most practical way to accomplish this. But you can certainly try to locate all the factory correct parts. Or, if you wanted the factory installed outward appearance the Jaguar switches could probably be made to work with aftermarket heater kits.

AFAIK the control modules are simply timers to cut the circuit after x-number of minutes.

Cheers
DD

 

No expert for sure on this matter, but having removed the seats in my car (for a clean - no other reason) I did see extra wiring and plufgs, also, in the centre console,, there were extra plugs for what I assume to be the lumbar and heat controls switches that fitted in the centre tunnel, mine is an 86 coupe though, so unsure of the differences.

 

This has nothing to do with the original question but it deals with the seat heating elements and a simple possible repair. When I removed my seats to reupholster the bottoms I found that the wires to the heating element itself had (broken off). So before I put the new leather on I resoldered it and hooked up a batteryto test it and found that was all that was wrong. It appears that after 27 or so years in the sun and cold the wires become stiff and due to as usual (bad design) stresses pulled the wire apart at that spot. Always check this possibility first before thinking somethng has (burned out) Bud

 

Working seat heaters and soft leather are quite pleasant here in the chilly northeast. Amazing, almost decadent, for a 20+ year old car.

 

The new car is coming before the old car gets picked up by insurance!

I'll be swapping the seats and the seat heater switches from the doors soon enough!