I just ordered heated seat covers from Wet Okole. I was wondering if anyone knows if they can be wired to the Toyota factory heated seat switches?

I have the part numbers for the Toyota switches (be it way over prices at $65 each)

I was also wondering if these switches would work

Seat Heater for Cars and Trucks from HeatedSeatKits.com

Innovative Heat Multi-Dial switches

Does anyone know who Wet okole sources their heated seat elements from? I emailed them a few days ago but have not heard back.

Yes both switches would work...You should use a relay with them to take the load though.


disregard this!

Is this answer based on an actual install or research? If so, can you provide more detail. IIRC, others who have tried matching this kit with stock switches have run into issues.

Thanks!!!

Well they should work. Please post up your info on others who have run into issues. Maybe they won't.....

I dont think a relay would work because the switchs (both Toyota and after market) looks to be analog in nature.

I plan to place a few calls today and find out. The way I see it is these switches will need to handle the entire load of the seat heater.

From Wet Okole I need to find out the amp draw for their seat warmers

I need to find the toyota wiring diagram so I can see how the toyota switches are hooked up.

Once I get all of this info I will report back.

Please note, I'm not deterring anyone from doing this. Actually the opposite. I've wanted to match these two kits for a while, but don't have the resources (time or money) to test it out myself. Plus, others who have tried this exact match either didn't get them to work or just didn't update their threads.

Based on others research the switch that comes with the kit is sourced from Audi/VW. Both are 5 position heat and one position off.

Now the following threads are specific to taking a high low off switch and making it compatible with the 4Runner switch. The main issues is the controller for the kit is not compatible to the OEM switch and the resistance found in the 4Runner switch itself matching the kit's switch.

Here is the full thread from the blue room I found when i wanted to do this mod: Wiring Gurus Stock heated seat switch

After some failed attempts including a fried micro temp controllers the OP found a solution by creating a new circuit: Post 45

Here is the quote he provided at the end:
"I have, but it required me to make my own custom controller that is compatible with the OEM switch.
The main problem is that the resistances inside the OEM switch verses the kit are not the same. With some parallel and serial resisters, you can get a close range to the kit, but something was still not right and it always blew the OPs FET transistor."

Although the switches are both stepper type switches and have the same positions, i have the same concern that the resistance found in the Rosta switch doesn't match the stock 4Runner switch. If it does, awesome. I'll be purchasing this kit this fall.

I just didn't want the OP, or myself for that matter, to purchase the kit based on a "should work" and I was hoping there was documented proof i could refer to.

Good luck to wvanstone or whoever is willing to try this!!! If you do, please update this thread so others can benefit

Cheers

Ok

This is what i have found out so far.

The stock Toyota setup uses both a variable position switch and a controller.

Part #

Seat Heater switchs (looks like they have left and right switches not sure why)

R .2 84751-35120 $65.76
L .2 84751-35110 $65.76

Seat Heater Controller
one needed for each seat 87501-60030 $89.20

I do not have any info on the Toyota heating element itself.

Looking at the Toyota electrical print the switch is powered from a 10 amp (ECU-IG) source. This switch looks like it controls the seat heater control sub assembly. The control sub assembly is powered from a 20A (S/HTR FR) source.

The seat heater control sub assembly is what gets connected to the heating element. (not sure how or how many wires) Can anyone who has heated seats provide some info?

Once I find out more about the heating elements you MAY be able to use the Toyota switch and controller to run any heating element. But I can not be sure until I find out how the switch and controler work.

More to come on this..


The Wet Okole seat heater option is a basic on/off switch that gets plugged into a cig lighter. The heating elements are placed into a pocket in the seat covers but are not sewn into the seat cover, (should be able to replace them if needed). Pleae note I do not have any of this stuff in my hands yet. This info is from a phone call placed to Wet Okole

Once I get the Wet Okole seat covers I will be able to get some better info on the heating element and see if there are any "temperature" sensors in the element or if it just a basic on/off switch.

duh..you're right...I wasn't thinking about that last night(too tired I guess)...I'm going to spend a little more time and review the wiring diagram and FSM...I'll pop up my heater switches and take a closer look at them if needed...

Let us know when you get the seat covers so we can see the heating circuit if possible.

Attached Images

 

The only issue I see with this circuit is the temperature feed back coming back from the Toyota heating element. (the small unlabeled square next to the controller) it is most likely a variable resistor or thermistor and helps regulate the voltage applied to the heating element. This might be very difficult to replicate.

I would love to get my hands on a switch and controller to do some testing. I would like to see what would happen if it was left open, shorted and how it would it would react with different fixed resistors.

My Wet Okole's are 4 weeks out I did find out today that the element size is around 11" x 11" for the seat element and the back element is the same size. Wet Okole is most likely is using the "Seat Comfort System #29514" from Seat Heater for Cars and Trucks from HeatedSeatKits.com or at least sourced from the same dealer. The kit is located near the bottom of the page. It matches their description size wise 11" x 11" and switch type (on/off).

I came across this blog Wet Okole Vid #5 | Waterproof Car Seat Covers Installation – Car Seat Heaters & Back Heaters | Automotive Seat Covers . If you skip to a few seconds before the end, the guy seems to indicate that there is just an on-off--to verify that phone call.

If I had some free time (or you were close to me), I'd take the controller and switch off and help you do some testing. If I get some time from my bathroom remodel between now and some point in the future, I'll pull mine off. You might just order one switch and controller (online to save some $) and do your own testing to speed things along. If you can wait I'll help out...or if someone else beats me to it even better.

Can someone with stock Toyota heated seats get me an current (DC Amps)reading when their seat heater is on full? Just one seat running at full blast. This will help me figure out what kind of current the stock system can handle.

If you can get this data take a reading when they are first turned on full blast (Cold) and then about 3-5 minutes later when they are fully heated up. I am assuming the resistance will change when they heat up.

That way when I start testing the stock Toyota switch and controller I'll know if i am drawing too many amps with the after market heating elements.

Also if there is any way to take a temperature reading at low, med and High setting (appox.) that would be a good starting point for reference.

I plan to buy the driver side switch and one controller to begin testing. I do need someone's help on figuring out if there is a wiring harness or plug for the switch and/or controller. This would made connecting them easier in the end if I can come up with a system that works for everyone.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Just some more info

The Wet Okole's draw 5.2 amps per seat cover. i.e. 2 front seat covers will draw a total of 10.4 amps. (Source from Wet Okole)

Well there you go. Shows you why you shouldn't listen to every a**hole on the internet. Thanks for the info.

oh and to add... the reason the left and right Toyota switches have different part number is that there is a picture of the seats with the heat symbol and L and R respectively.

some seat heater pics thanks to harper7 Question for those with factory heated seats.