I tried setting the cabin temp control dial to cold with fan off last year and my seat warmer still became it's usual warm - although I felt colder than if I had hot air blowing.

I'd like to know the results of your experiment.

 

Well, Mrs. H is not over weight by any means but I hear what you're saying in regards to the "Fat Functions", anything is possible with woman as they are a mystery. I will have to conduct some testing to see if I feel one side any warmer than the other. I again tested the theory of a link between the seat warmers and the fan dial on my way to work. 10 mins into the drive the seats felt a regular warmth, the engine was at operating temps and the cabin fairly comfortable. I changed the fan to 1 and within a minute I could feel my thighs to be much warmer, a few mins after that my lower back. 5 mins later I turned the dial back to 0 and by the time I got to work the seats did not feel as warm.

Just a quick question while we are talking about the climate control, does the Japanese spec have AUTO climate control? I ask because if you look real close at the display at night you can see what seems to be a fan with a fan speed indication to the left of the Ambient temp readout. I never see this on when using the fan speed dial which makes me think at some point this car was designed to have auto climate control. To bad this wasn't available, can something like this be added if the parts are available?

 

yeah, other markets have auto climate contol.

 

In regards to the seat warmers. I am only referring the Temperature dial being all the way over on RED, without the fan on and the air on recirculation.

 

[QUOTE=Hellbreed] I again tested the theory of a link between the seat warmers and the fan dial on my way to work. 10 mins into the drive the seats felt a regular warmth, the engine was at operating temps and the cabin fairly comfortable. I changed the fan to 1 and within a minute I could feel my thighs to be much warmer, a few mins after that my lower back. 5 mins later I turned the dial back to 0 and by the time I got to work the seats did not feel as warm.

Aha! empirical evidence emerges...

I, too, mini-tested this theory on way to work this a.m. It was 50ish F outside when I climbed in. Was now in different attire than last night's test. This time in skirt and light weight coat instead of jeans and sweatshirt. Seat warmer switch engaged, temperature control to midrange, and left cabin fan off. It took the same four minutes to feel a change in warmth. However, I drove the 30 minutes to work (with temperature guage at half way point where it normally is) but the seat never truely "warmed" nor did the cabin temperature feel entirely satisfactory without the initial boost from the fan.

Tonight on way home from work, the freeway in its usual hurry up and stop for seven miles. I cranked the heat to midrange, fan on 2. Took 45 mintues to get home because of traffic. Seat markedly warmer than this morning's experiment and cabin comfortable. So more contact time and fan on 2.

However, the interesting thing to me on this drive was the absence of *penetrating* heat on my shoulders and thighs like I felt when car at 60-70 mph last night. I'm either (1) nuts (altogether possible) or (2) there is a definite corollation between motor warmth, speed and seat heaters. At 60 mph those seats get right w-a-r-m. Almost as good as a hot towel treatment.

 

ooooo Voodoo, LOVE that coppery color your titanium gets in that particular light. WOW.

 

Thanks, thumbnails don't do it justice.

 

Okay lets be clear, its a freaking CAR, not a Massage Parlor.

My guess is that there is some correlation to the amporage, or voltage, and the heat of the seats.

Very simply to isolate this. Goto Radio Shack, and get a voltage meter, they sell them pretty cheap I think 50 bucks or so. I have a set as I'm a Network Engineer, and need it for some VOIP functions from time to time. You should be able to either isolate the wiring in the seat or possibly create a non insolated fuse for the seats in the fuse box. Basically Jumper the Fuse together using the voltage meter, as the fuse itself.

Now watch the voltage meter or set it to amps or whatever you can depending on your model, and gather info on the following.

1. Changes as Engine revs up?

2. Changes as Engine warms up (let it idle for 5-10 mins and see if voltage changes as it warms)

3. Changes based on settings to fan or car heater.


It is completely possible that there is some sort of feedback in the seat, that is caused by changes in the electrical environment of other non related components.

Similar to how the lights Dim in the Kitchen when the refrigerator turns on.

 

hmm... mine always seem to get nice and warm when i use them. It does seem to cycle on and off though. Of course i generally don't use them unless its like 20 or 30F outside and everything feels warm them.

The fan definately does not effect hings as I always use my seats on really cold mornings because they warm up much faster then the heater does, and until the engines warm enough to throw heat I always keep the fan off because i hate cold air blowing on me.


I thought I read somewhere it was controlled by either the temp dial or the outside temp < shrug>

 

[QUOTE=IcemanVKO]Okay lets be clear, its a freaking CAR, not a Massage Parlor.

:p Of course it's a car! Who has had the privilege of a 60 mph massage? ZOOM.....

Hoping someone can do the circuit test as you've suggested. I am intrigued by this equation.

 

I nominate Iceman to do this test for us since he has a technique and a voltage meter. At least this way I will save $50 aswell not fry my electrical system considering I know nothing about electronics.

Will anyone second this?! :D

 

Yep, I second that. And no, we're not providing a car :D.

 

There is a correlation to increase in seat heat when fan set to blow directly into cabin. I don't know how to describe "which" fan setting beyond the one I use to dry my hair in the morning. when fan set to blow directly at driver about face level, there is a immediate and noticable jump in seat heat as well. The other fan settings do not appear related. Can't do the wiring test as I'd surely mess things up--but finally able to repeat the phenonemon I identified earlier.

 

How does the seat heater know which direction the vent for the blower is facing? That's one smart car.

 

I'd say it's smart as it outthinks dyno machines.

 

There's no correlation between the HVAC controls and the seat heaters whatsoever... there's simply a thermostat in the seats that regulates the heater elements. The reason they feel weak is the cut-off temp is a very low 99F or so. Most seat heaters are closer to 110-120F. My aftermarket ones in my other car are 135-145F.

When the cut-off is that close to body temp, you're only going to feel it when the cabin is really cold, and if you're not bundled up with a bunch of insulating jackets, etc.

 

There are several settings on the heater blower, each one sends heat and/or heated air in different direction--e.g. to the windshield, more to the feet or straight into driver's face. I blow-dry my hair with the latter setting on the way to work every morning. Tis also the latter setting that causes a significant, perceptable and immediate change in sensory warmth to my thighs.

There is no doubt given what others have observed that the 8's seat heaters are less powerful than those in certain other vehicles. Nonetheless, when one wants whatever blast in seat heat the 8 can deliver, adjust the cabin blower. If your 8 performs same as mine, you will feel a difference to back of thighs when blower switched to setting where air goes full to the face.

It's a bit too far from Oregon to Illinois ---else I'd stop by, g8rboy, and let you drive.

 

I guess you must have a different wiring schematic than I have

 

No regrets going with the Touring vice GT. The cloth seats are fantastic, and I really don't need eleventy-seven-way adjustable leather seats that weigh an extra 50 lbs :p . If I had to do it again though, i would probably go with the Sport package as I find that I don't use the sunroof all that much.

 

Schematic the same but respective observations different. That's what makes the forum fun and challenging. If I were brave and foolhardy, I might say one of us has thighs more sensitive to changes in temperature. I'm not that brave, nor foolhardy, so I won't go there:p

Iceman gave one possible explanation:
"It is completely possible that there is some sort of feedback in the seat, that is caused by changes in the electrical environment of other non related components."

So, diagram aside----revs, speed, fan setting, and human sensory response are all interesting variables in this equation. In theory, our 8's should perform in an identical fashion. In reality, they don't.

I know an excellent mechanic that will have a voltage meter. We're very good friends so will be able to cajole him into testing my theory in the objective manner identified via Iceman (see a page or so below). Any excuse to take the 8 out for a spirited jaunt is plenty good enough incentive for my friend. Especially when he gets to drive.:D

 

:D I'm brave enough to admit to having well insulated thighs, so I won't argue that point of your theory. I look forward to your results... and I do plan dragging out my voltmeter myself to see what I can do to modify the thermister to allow a larger heat range, or possibly a 3 way (two heat setting + off) switch.