are you planning to install those heater thingies on the FJ? Heated seats are great and I'd like to know more.. that button looks too wide.

 

Hard to tell from just the photos. The 4 runner switch seems to have the temp adjustment right in the switch itself, sort of like a dimmer in how it controls the amount of current going to the heater. The picture of the switch on the E-bay link you provided looks like a SPDT switch which leads me to believe the control for current is in the black boexs shown and the switch just adjusts it remotely.

Check to see if you can find a phone number for the seller, perhaps they can answer your questions. Good luck and let us know how it works out.

 

Anybody get an answer on this? I'm considering heated seats with this switch.

 

:worried:

 

I would do this in a second if it works. What is the price for the switch?

 

Rostra Precision Controls, Inc. | Automotive/Consumer Products
Check this company out, they make a universal kit that is very easy to install.

 

This looks great, but we're wondering if this kit and others like it can use the 4runner seat heater switch. Would love to fill those button blanks with stock looking switches.

 

Well I haven't been able to figure out how to use the stock 4-Runner switches... I'm going to use the switches from the kit for the time being. If anyone ever figures it out let me know, I'd love to switch to the 4-Runner ones

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, does the stock switch click when starting from lowest setting? I am pretty sure it does. This click will most likely be like a switch to feed the variable resistor and bulb indicator +12V. This 12V goes through the variable resistor and to the temp controller of your heated seats.
I have the heater pads from Heatmyseats.com, which I opened up and studied. ... It has a two selection switch like your kit. In one mode the 12V goes through a 4.7kOhm resistor and in the other a 16kOhm resistor. The 16kOhm feeds less voltage to the controller, which is nothing but a check comperator switch. The hotter the elements get, the more voltage the temp sensor sends back to the comperator. This voltage is compared to the voltage supplied by the switch. Once the voltage matches, power is cut of from the transistor(on/off for elements).
So in short, yes you can use that adjustable switch, just be sure the resistor for max heat is in series to it, this way when the variable resistor(adj.switch) is at max setting(0ohms) the heater controller will still have a resistor saying what max heat is(saves from overheating). So in my case my max heat resistor is 4.7kohm and I would connect the output of that adj.Switch to this resistor and then to controller.

Basic schematic w/o every little detail

If the switch is like I think it is, then I will order me one and splice it into my system. Let me know pls.

 

I played with one at the dealership about a week ago... it has a click to go from off to on, then in the on setting it has about 3 or 4 softer clicks.

 

So my next question would be would the stock heated seat switch be an on/off switch only or would the variable settings work? Also how hould I find out what resistor I should use for my kit (as it is different)?

 

Alright I got my heated seat switches in today :bigthumb: (Unfortunately I got two left's so I'm going to have to send one back for a right hand side... dont let your parts guy convince you that there is only one universal part for both sides )

They fit in the factory blanks perfectly (As expected since they are out of a 4-Runner).

They have 6 pins comming out the back... taking a guess from this thread: http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/stereo-electronics/49946-oem-aux-light-switch-diagram.html , I'm going to say that 2 of the pins are for backlighting, 2 of the pins are for the light letting you know the seats are on, and 2 of the pins are for switching. I've yet to determine which pins do what and how.

They have 5 Heat settings (Off, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). Updates to follow once I figure out how to wire these into my aftermarket heated seats.

Cheers.

 

Sweet .. gonna have to get a set for my seats too

 

I'm looking for a final write up with the switches and seats.

My wife LOVES heated seats and maybe I could convince her this would be a good present from me to her (to mod my FJ)

I also need to know the part number for these switches? Get them from sparks?

 

Ocelot and I are working on this as a joint effort. Toyota accidentally sent him to left switches. They told him he could keep the extra one and he sent it to me. Currently Ocelot is on Holiday, but should be returning soon and we will continue on this venture together. Post pics of install and of coarse post all part numbers, including those for compatible factory harness or plug and pigs for those that wish to make their own harness.

I can tell you as a sneak peek, that the switch has backlight illumination, LED ON indicator and is a variable resistor(not a multi position switch)..It has 5 level positions, but this can be removed to give infinite positions. This switch however does have problems which I will not go into details about right now.

Like I said before, once he is back we will get cracking on this...stayed tuned for details from Ocelot and myself.

 

Damn you!

I hate suspensem, now I'll be thinking about this every day. My wife will love me for this mod, I was thinking about doing this for her B-day on July 23rd, so hurry up

 

For a small update I have the resistors on order, should be here within a week or so. I also have a connector for the back of the right hand switch on order, as the connector for the right hand switch is different from the left hand switch... figure that out.

Some pictures:

 

where did you get the white plastic connectors?

 

You can order them straight from Toyota parts department, if you know the part numbers. But don't worry, in the final write up, Ocelot and I will provide all part numbers. I have helped him track the numbers for his install, so this is not an issue.

 

Maybe I can start ordering things now

I wish it was winter, this would be done in a week! I will be cursing your name every time my bum isn't warmed and toasty.

Skip the summit and do a heated seat write up :clap:

 

A small preview of the completed wiring harness. Writeup with all parts required to come within the next few days.

 

Okay... small problem in that I burned out both the controllers after a days use. We will have to figure out what went wrong.

On the other hand the switches look sweet:

 

I can't wait. I wanted this in my pickup, and will have it in my FJ. Just as soon as you intrepid engineer types figure it all out. The switches look absolutely brilliant too! For once I'm glad they did not re-engineer too much in this car.

 

For all of you contemplating this build, I just verified that the Rostra kit does include heaters for two seats.

For those looking for passenger comfort as well, you could probably get a second kit, and use the small pads on the left rear seat, and the longer pads on the right rear seats, and wire them up in 'Both On: High/Low' mode.

 

When do we get part numbers and prices?

Like every married man, im always hot and drive with the air on and she loves the heat

 

Over the last few weeks I have PM'd Terry about continuing this project. Last PM I had with him, was that he was supposed to get replacement FETs to fix the ones he blew.
I have all the part numbers, but it is his project and I would like to see him finish it and do the final write up, so no one else breaks any parts. I'll PM him again and see if there are any updates.

 

sounds classified

 

I'd really like to get these ordered. Especially if we can get the interest for the proposed group buy that Ronster is trying to set up of the Rostra kits. Given that on bad days I have to hike 30 minutes to get to my FJ in the winter, I'd really like the seats to thaw me out.