[GillaFunk]

Installation of 2 Doorman Universal Seat Heater Kits #628-040 in a 1999 Dodge Dakota with Cloth Seats. 2 kits completed both driver and passenger seat and lumbar pads


Tools Needed
- Socket Set
- Phillips & Standard Screw divers (Power drill with bits optional)
- 1 long & skinny Standard screwdriver
- Voltage tester
- Wire Crimper
- Wire Snips
- Utility knife / Razor blade
- 4 Claw Pick-up Tool
- Soldering Gun
- Power drill w/ ¾’ bit


Equipment Needed
- 1 standard automotive 4 pin electrical relay
- 1 in-line fuse
- Assorted wire
- Assorted wire connectors
- Wire splicers
- 2 Doorman Universal Seat Heater Kits #628-040
- 1 can of 3M Hi-Strength Spray Adhesive
- Solder
- Zip ties (short and long)

Knowledge
- Familiarity with basic 12v


1) Remove the Seats
- Remove the 2 front bolts (13mm) and 2 rear bolts (18mm) each side
- Tilt the seats back and remove the 4 center console bolts (13mm?)
- Remove seats and console from cab

2) Remove Seat Covering (Both Sides)
- On the lumbar portion, reach in from the back, find the lip of the tension hook and tug. Once free, un-zip the zipper all the way. Remove foam from seat chassis.
- On the seat portion, Using the long skinny standard screwdriver CAREFULLY pry the cushion tension hooks from the chassis. Best if you do NOT remove foam from chassis

3) Separate Seat cover from foam
Evaluate how you will be wiring your heated pads. Take into account you only need to remove enough seat cover to install the heating pad.
- Method 1) Using the razor blade carefully separate the seat cover from the foam
- Method 2) Carefully tug the seat cover off the foam. Some foam will come up with cover, its no big deal
- Be aware of the riveted portion of the cover that fits into the foam crevice, do not damage

4) Heating Pad Installation / Re-attaching seat cover
- Sticky side of pad attaches to foam.
- Press pad into the foam crevice where the riveted seat cover portion fits into foam.

- One section at a time using 3M Spray adhesive, evenly coat the surfaces you separated. Give the crevice area an extra squirt.
- QUICKLY replace seat cover. Give extra attention in getting the riveted portion of cover back into the foam crevice. Rub cover into foam. Eliminate any wrinkles. If you don't get it right, do it again.

5) Reassemble seats completely.

6) Installing Hi/Low Switches
Install switches to your discretion.
- Remove Diver side kicker panel, upper dash panel, center steering wheel panel, unscrew lower center dash panel (let it hang)
- Disconnect seat wiring harness hi/low switches at quick disconnect, set aside
Option 1) Location you Prefer
Option 2) Center lower dash section

- Using ¾” drill bit, drill 2 holes in dash as seen in picture. Driver side switch requires secondary hole in the dash mount as seen in picture.

- Route wires through dash towards gas pedal.


7) Wiring
- Using Claw tool, shove Positive (+) lead from engine bay through the driver side firewall access hole. Solder in-line fuse. Trim lead to acceptable length. Attach lead to battery. Test with volt meter.
- Pull up driver side floor board carpet. Shove Heated Seat harness seat connectors through to allow seat connects to pass though hole in carpet just under the center console.

- Ground harness to existing ground point near gas pedal.

- Solder both seat harness Positive (+) leads together using female connector.
- Ground Relay to existing ground point near parking brake.

- Switched Power source
Option 1) Using existing fuse block, use kit supplied “Fuse Tap Device”
Option 2) Tap into ignition circuit under steering wheel. (My method)

- Following wiring diagram connect wires

- Connect Hi/low switches to harness
- Test system with volt meter

8) Re-Install Seats/Button-Up
- Connect appropriate harness/switch to appropriate seat
- Ensure seat function/movement does not interfere with harness. Use zip-ties or re-route as needed
- Re-install seats
- The Center Console makes things difficult. Test fit everything before you tighten everything down.
- Use zip ties to dress-up excess wiring. Button up all carpet and panels.

9) You are done.
-"Low" setting is good for daily driving in cool ambient temps.
-"Hi" setting is good for very brisk mornings.
- Warm-up takes less than 3 minutes.
- I was quoted ~$350 PER SEAT to have this done by a professional. It took me an afternoon and ~$150 to do both seats myself. I have no experience in upholstery. :woot:

 

[jmaack727]

Seat heaters on cloth seats?

 

[TexasCoder]

Impressive job man, well done!

With your experience with this kit, do you think the switch could handle two pads on a seat, one for the seat and one for the back? Does the kit supply any details on power useage: current draw hi/lo, amp draw and so on?

I am looking at doing the same thing, but on my wife's Volvo, her driver side went out, and instead of spending almost $700 for the heater pad alone, I was thinking of buying two of these "universal" kits, but none of the sites give the specifications.

In any case, well done, and those cold morning are just a bit more bearable!

 

[GillaFunk]

Seat heaters on cloth seats?

Yes.

Impressive job man, well done!

With your experience with this kit, do you think the switch could handle two pads on a seat, one for the seat and one for the back? Does the kit supply any details on power useage: current draw hi/lo, amp draw and so on?



In any case, well done, and those cold morning are just a bit more bearable!

Thanks. Actually the pads were about the simplest part of the whole thing. I had more problems getting my forking seats to fit correctly than anything. I carpool with a girl who's Passat has heated seats, that got me thinking.....

This kit, as designed, as installed for both seat and lumbar heated elements. I did both driver and passenger seats together for $150, its a no brainer.

No idea on power draw. But as long as you wire it correctly, whats the worry on how much it draws?

 

[DevKota]

Very nice write up...might have to look into doing that since my heater core needs replacing...this will prob be easier

 

[TexasCoder]

But as long as you wire it correctly, whats the worry on how much it draws?

Good point, I just want to make sure I use the proper gauge wire and fuse for a dual install. Worse case scenario, I can meter the amps when I turn one pad on and then adjust accordingly.

I can imagine it would not exceed 30~50 amps when it is initially turned on.

Thanks again for the info, and for making this write up!

 

[TazRango]

Given the appearance of the wiring that it comes with, I would say 25A or less. That looks like 14ga tops for the main feeds/grounds, even smaller for the individual wires to the pads. And Tex you missed what he said - Each kit includes two pads and is intended for one seat, back and bottom. He used two kits.

Great writeup Gilla, thanks! :mullet:

 

[hskrRT]

Not sure of the quality, but there are cheaper "kits" available that would allow you to accomplish this for less money. Or if you want to change seats as well, look for some deals on OEM seats from other vehicles. I have leather power/heated seats from a 2006 Charger in my truck. And that's power/heated on both driver and passenger side. And I paid $200 for the seats. I'm probably going to buy a cheaper universal heated seat kit to steal the wiring harness and switches from. Yes you lose the fold forward seats for those club cab owners, but how often do you actually flip the seats forward to get in the back? And the Charger seats slide and tilt forward far enough I could still fit my 6'5" 240lb ass in the back. And they are more comfortable than the stock Dakota seats.

 

[GillaFunk]

True. But I didn't feel like looking for other seats., and I'd just had them shampoo'd and the diver seat rebuil with foam.

 

[hskrRT]

On the seat heaters, it there a control module or something that regulates the temperature and keeps it from overheating? I know on the OEM seats there is a control module for the seats, but not sure how the aftermarket ones work. I've seen some that mention shutting off after a certain amount of time and the ones with the multiple levels of temp settings but nothing ever shows any type of control module to actually regulate the temps.

 

[gpitner]

Nice write-up thanks.

Sent from my LG-LS970 using AutoGuide.Com Free App

 

[Roodman2]

i just purchased and installed a really nice kit off ebay for 68$ free shipping. cloth seats in my 01 rango. kits is complete with dual pads for both seats...bottoms and backs. relays and auto temp control switches work great. opened upholstery from back and slid them in and self adhesive strips took over nicely. loosened center console but never "removed" a thing. couldnt be happier with kit

 

[cantgetright30]

Does anybody know if these aftermarket kits will work as replacements for OEM seat heater. I have the very common problem of my drivers side seat heater not working. The last time I checked at the stealer it was about $400 per seat. Or any other easy cheap fix for it would work. Thank you

 

[TazRango]

They more than likely will not work with the factory controllers. The factory pads have a specific resistance that the aftermarket pads are unlikely to match, and that will cause the controller to give an error. If you use the switches that come in the aftermarket kit there wouldnt be a problem.