Disabling Lower Part of Heated Seats

Is it possible to disable the lower (seat) portion while keeping the top (back) portion of the driver side seat heater on? Has anyone successfully done this? I assume it's as simple as pulling a fuse or cutting a wire. Any info would be appreciated.

 

I'm not sure it's that simple. seat heaters are just toasters in your seat. cutting a wire might cause a resistance issue.

 

I removed my drivers side leather seat cover on my limited 6 months ago, if I can remember the bottom and back are wired together.

 

Too bad. I don't find myself needing the lower heat, but would like the heat on my back for long road trips.

 

You might be able to use both on the seat back. Wouldn't double them up but maybe could be moved up. Its a simple mechanism I just don't have the electrical knowledge to say it's ok to do

 

I wanted to revive this thread, rather than starting a new one asking similar questions. I would REALLY like to have the option to shut off the lower (butt) half of the seat heater, and run the upper (lower back) heater individually. I would like the option to still have the butt heater, but on a switch. So, Would like to run only the back, or both. Seems simple enough. Has anyone played with this? Ive already been in the seat heater module when my seat heater failed all together. I had to do a little soldering to replace a wire that had burnt up do to a poor connection. I feel like when I was in there, it seemed like there were multiple power supply's heading to the heater elements in the seat. Seems as if an interruptor switch could be put inline with the butt heater element to kill power to that when butt heat wasn't wanted. Would just need to verify that the switch was rated for the amperage that the heating element draws.

My dream situation would be a dongle that I could plug in and take care of it, without being too invasive in my trucks wiring.

Have any of you messed with this on your Tundra?

Thanks much,
Nik

 

If they are wired in series don't remove the bottom from the circuit, removing that resistance may cause an unwanted increase in current.

 

Some manufactures (GM comes to mind) allow for independent control of back heat vs seat heat. So while it's possible, it's something thats designed and integrated as an OEM function. Trying to do this aftermarket will likely require some significant customization. Most "shops" are probably installing aftermarket "kits" rather than wiring something custom up for you.

 

Yeah, I would highly advise against cutting any wires. Pulling a fuse would be much better as long as it's confined to the driver seat heater. Which it should be. What you would probably have to do to make this safe and reliable would be to have each surface running on a different circuit with seperate fuses. Or possibly introducing a switch to the circuit that would bypass the bottom section from the back section. The switch would be the way to go.

 

Well, I should have read your post before posting my post. Great minds though huh?
I have not done anything with seated heats...I mean heated seats other than build them at a factory for Nissan 15 years ago.
Anyway, I'd have to see a schematic and a seat to be able to reliably come up with a switch arrangement. It's a great idea though.