Rear Heated Seats Retrofit (E53)
Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 10:32 pm
Hope this helps anyone considering the mod - mine is an 04 plate but remember the option wasn't available before 2001, so you may not have the connectors - check this first before embarking on the retro-fit!
Bigs thanks to Raj firstly - sourced the rear heated seats for me and the blinds. 2nd thanks to nigwhyrito (xoutposts) and petert (xdrivers) - couldn't have done it wothout your posts gents.
The breakers had this little lot ready for me.
So - first you have to get the old one's out - get the bolster out first. Pull on the top edge and then upwards and it will lift out.
Then look for this bracket - T30 torx to get it out, trim likes to get in the way but should be easy enough. One more bracket where the seat splits - like a cover, to get off and then the seat is free (make sure you get the other end too).
Backs are easily removed and the new one's go in exactly the same - keep the new leads ready, they go here:
Small 2 pin one's are for the back (one each side) and the big one is for the bench seat - easy to remove, pull underneath each corner and the seat base comes up, then pull outwards. You will need to get to the bolt underneath to get the 3rd seat-belt out - reverse to get the new one in.
Now the curve ball - where are the connectors for the new switches that go into the centre console? You need to get that console out, info on the forum to tell you how to get that out. Once out you have access to the wiring. Some of that is extra!
Next step is to get under the carpet, that's where the connectors are! Passenger seat (UK cars) needs to come up, 4 bolts, one each corner:
Get the front seat moved forward and out the way to get to the carpet, that has a front and rear half, pull it up. You can see the split.
Now the money shot - you'll see the connectors tied up along the rear passenger footwell.
Un-tie and pull back the connectors to the centre console. Get that centre console back in:
Troubleshooting and things to check as mine didn't work first time:
1. Check your rear fuse is in place and not blown (no.80)
2. Same goes for the front fuse (no.4)
3. The relay! You need this in the rear fuse box, it goes here (first on the left that's empty - green squares at the top of the pic). The one next to it has the part number - take it in and get the dealer to supply a similar one - £10 (hopefully).
Got them working!
And here's a few shots of them in place:
And this is a shot of the rear blinds also thanks to Raj - cards need to be swapped along with the window surround and the 3/4 panel:
Bigs thanks to Raj firstly - sourced the rear heated seats for me and the blinds. 2nd thanks to nigwhyrito (xoutposts) and petert (xdrivers) - couldn't have done it wothout your posts gents.
The breakers had this little lot ready for me.
So - first you have to get the old one's out - get the bolster out first. Pull on the top edge and then upwards and it will lift out.
Then look for this bracket - T30 torx to get it out, trim likes to get in the way but should be easy enough. One more bracket where the seat splits - like a cover, to get off and then the seat is free (make sure you get the other end too).
Backs are easily removed and the new one's go in exactly the same - keep the new leads ready, they go here:
Small 2 pin one's are for the back (one each side) and the big one is for the bench seat - easy to remove, pull underneath each corner and the seat base comes up, then pull outwards. You will need to get to the bolt underneath to get the 3rd seat-belt out - reverse to get the new one in.
Now the curve ball - where are the connectors for the new switches that go into the centre console? You need to get that console out, info on the forum to tell you how to get that out. Once out you have access to the wiring. Some of that is extra!
Next step is to get under the carpet, that's where the connectors are! Passenger seat (UK cars) needs to come up, 4 bolts, one each corner:
Get the front seat moved forward and out the way to get to the carpet, that has a front and rear half, pull it up. You can see the split.
Now the money shot - you'll see the connectors tied up along the rear passenger footwell.
Un-tie and pull back the connectors to the centre console. Get that centre console back in:
Troubleshooting and things to check as mine didn't work first time:
1. Check your rear fuse is in place and not blown (no.80)
2. Same goes for the front fuse (no.4)
3. The relay! You need this in the rear fuse box, it goes here (first on the left that's empty - green squares at the top of the pic). The one next to it has the part number - take it in and get the dealer to supply a similar one - £10 (hopefully).
Got them working!
And here's a few shots of them in place:
And this is a shot of the rear blinds also thanks to Raj - cards need to be swapped along with the window surround and the 3/4 panel: