Thread: P38 heated seats

For information guys...heated seats in a late model P38 HSE 4.6 (build date Dec 2001).
I have just repaired my HEVAC display and lighting (fuse box problems - see Ron Becketts fix) and as part of the complete exercise, I replaced my existing working HEVAC with one from the USA for no other reason than it matched the existing woodgrain paneling in the car.
It came with the switches for both the heated seats and heated windscreen.
Obviously I don't have a heated windscreen BUT NOW I have heated seats.
Brilliant in Canberra.
So I can't speak for all late model P38's but in this case all that was required was the switches....nothing else...no relays, wiring...nothing.

Good luck.
Cheers Bob

I believe there are different versions of the controller. I think I remember there being differences with the outside temp sensor and you need to have the right sensor to match the controller

I have a Jan 95 p38 and a 99 Bosch. Everything was fitted in the 95 and id even fitted a UK controller to it > 10 years ago. The passenger seat worked (but I didn't know because I never say in it to try) and the drivers seat worked except for the broken element. I bypassed the base and just had a heater back. It ran at 4 times the power (twice the colts, twice the amps) that it was supposed to and no thermostat. It gets so hot in 40 seconds you have to turn it off it it will burn you.

I haven't checked my 99 yet but I want heated seats badly in that! Ideally I could swap controllers. Must try and see what happens.

Originally Posted by Ghind

I haven't checked my 99 yet but I want heated seats badly in that! Ideally I could swap controllers. Must try and see what happens.

You'll lose some of the climate control operations. 'mechanic2you' did this recently on his '01 & lost the fans IIRC. It's wired differently due to the fusebox differences.

Originally Posted by glenhendry

Rave seems to be telling me that I need to earth wire 6 from Connector 1279 to turn on the drivers seat and earth wire 15 from the same connector for the passenger seat. After that it looks like the BeCM does the rest.

I will try this weekend. Anyone who wants to warn me of blowing stuff up, please do. Anyone who wants to confirm my wiring diagram readings, please do

@glenhendry how did this work for you and what year is the car. Gems/Thor.

shouldnt there be an option in nanocom to test/turn on the heated seats?

or should i take off the control panel n look for something not plugged in?

There is actually no on/off buttons for those who don't have them (even though the elements are there). To enable them you must have the HEVAC unit which allows them to be turned on, or you could just wire them up to your own switch...

Originally Posted by Keithy P38

There is actually no on/off buttons for those who don't have them (even though the elements are there). To enable them you must have the HEVAC unit which allows them to be turned on, or you could just wire them up to your own switch...

yep, so i i take off the HEVAC faceplate, i should find two plugs???
if i buy a HEVAC faceplate with the buttons, i should be able to plug the two plugs in and have heated seats????????

I'm not entirely sure if the non-heated HEVAC has plugs behind those blanks, or where it plugs into the loom. Someone else might be able to confirm!

Cheers
Keithy