How To Add Heated/Ventelated seats and Heated Wheel to Express/Tradesman

[TerryH]

Unfortunately your setup is unable to communicate with your truck's CAN system. The heated/vented seats with remote start feature doesn't just have another wire that triggers via remote start. It's actually controlled through the trucks CAN system through the exterior temp sensor and then through the heated seat module. In the factory configuration the heated seats won't turn on automatically unless the temp is °40 or less and the vented seats will automatically come on if the temp is °80 or higher. There is no way that we have found to change this setting with the Alfa tool so you wouldn't be able to set them to automatically come on every time you remote started the truck even if there was a dedicated wire that you could tap into.

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Thanks. I'm searching for something else that activates with the remote start to tap into. My truck has aftermarket headlights with DRL's. Since the DRL's come on with the remote start and are obviously on anytime the truck is running do you think would it be plausible to tap into the DRL circuit and trigger a relay to power the seat heaters? I'd still use the aftermarket switch that came with the Katzkin heaters so they wouldn't be on all the time. My thought process is that if I leave that switch on when I get out of the truck then the DRL circuit could trigger the relays so the seats would in turn then have power when the remote start is activated.

 

[chrisbh17]

Thanks. I realize that it doesn't have a specific wire but I'm searching for something else that activates with the remote start. My truck has aftermarket headlights with DRL's. Since the DRL's come on with the remote start and are obviously on anytime the truck is running do you think would it be plausible to tap into the DRL circuit and trigger a relay to power the seat heaters? I'd still use the aftermarket switch that came with the Katzkin heaters so they wouldn't be on all the time. My thought process is that if I leave that switch on the DRL circuit could trigger the relays so the seats would in turn then have power when the remote start is activated.

It should be easier than that (though I dont know if I saw pics of your under seat wiring). IIRC any pink/yellow wire is going to be some form of 12V...constant, accessory, run/start. You can probably find one under the seat and use a multimeter to check when it turns on. I used one of the pink/yellow leads to throw a relay to power my aftermarket rear heated seats. The Katzkin's you have up front would work the same.

I dont remember if mine turn on with remote start or not, I would have to check. I wanted to make sure they wouldnt draw down the starter if someone left them on, so I might have linked them to a Run only lead. But Im guessing there are plenty of other leads closer to the seats than the DRLs that turn on during remote start. You would just need to leave the Katzkin switch to on (or low or high) all the time. Not quite as elegant as factory, but it works.

 

[Ricks Ram]

Thanks. I'm searching for something else that activates with the remote start to tap into. My truck has aftermarket headlights with DRL's. Since the DRL's come on with the remote start and are obviously on anytime the truck is running do you think would it be plausible to tap into the DRL circuit and trigger a relay to power the seat heaters? I'd still use the aftermarket switch that came with the Katzkin heaters so they wouldn't be on all the time. My thought process is that if I leave that switch on when I get out of the truck then the DRL circuit could trigger the relays so the seats would in turn then have power when the remote start is activated.

That is possible as long as you have switches that will stay activated that you can send the signal too. In most cases the heated seat buttons turn off automatically every time you shut the truck off and you have to physically turn them back on again when you start the truck back up if you want them on again. I've never seen the Katzkin setup so I'm not sure if they work that way or not but if you have actual Toggle or Rocker switches that stay on you would think they would come on even when your truck is remote started because they are receiving power. You may be able to figure something else.

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[tron67j]

Hello - I am adding heated seats to my 2019 Ram 2500 Tradesman and I have already swapped the seats and steering wheel but I am waiting on the center stack with the heated buttons and the clock spring to arrive to finish the install. My seats where already pre-wired from what I could tell under both the passenger and driver seats and my driver seat is already turning the seat heat on when the temps are below 40 degrees. I added these codes last night with alfaobd but my 8.4 radio is still not displaying the "climate" or "controls" selection under apps. I made the changes 24 hours ago and have cycled the truck 5-6 times today driving around. Here is what I changed since I do not have vented or rear heated seats.


Memory-Front Vented Seats Present (Not Changed)

ECUConfig 3-Front Vented Seats Present (Not Changed)

ECUConfig 3-Front Heated Seats Present (Changed)

ECUConfig 3-Heated Steering Wheel Present (Changed)

Memory-Rear Heated Seats Present (Not Changed)

CustSetMenu 1-Auto-on driver comfort CSM (option 2-3) (Changed)

Memory-Heated Steering Wheel Present (Changed)

ECUConfig 4-Heated Seat Present (Changed)

Memory-Heated Wheel Material Type (Changed)

Memory-Heated Seat Material Type (Changed)

Did you add full seats, or add the heat under the original material? I am thinking of adding heat to my existing cloth seats and honestly haven't gotten through this whole thread, so not sure what I am in for.

 

[TerryH]

It should be easier than that (though I dont know if I saw pics of your under seat wiring). IIRC any pink/yellow wire is going to be some form of 12V...constant, accessory, run/start. You can probably find one under the seat and use a multimeter to check when it turns on. I used one of the pink/yellow leads to throw a relay to power my aftermarket rear heated seats. The Katzkin's you have up front would work the same.

I dont remember if mine turn on with remote start or not, I would have to check. I wanted to make sure they wouldnt draw down the starter if someone left them on, so I might have linked them to a Run only lead. But Im guessing there are plenty of other leads closer to the seats than the DRLs that turn on during remote start. You would just need to leave the Katzkin switch to on (or low or high) all the time. Not quite as elegant as factory, but it works.

Thanks. I'll investigate the harnesses under the seats further. It's like a quest now.

 

[TerryH]

That is possible as long as you have switches that will stay activated that you can send the signal too. In most cases the heated seat buttons turn off automatically every time you shut the truck off and you have to physically turn them back on again when you start the truck back up if you want them on again. I've never seen the Katzkin setup so I'm not sure if they work that way or not but if you have actual Toggle or Rocker switches that stay on you would think they would come on even when your truck is remote started because they are receiving power. You may be able to figure something else.

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Thanks. The Katzkins do have a regular rocker switches.

 

[Socalramfan]

Advise needed......

Forgive me if it's been posted, but after 190+ pages my eyes are fried.

I have a 2011 Quad cab, initially installed with manual, non-heated seats. Scored rear leather split seats some time ago which have already been installed. Recently found a set of front black leather Rebel seats from a 2017 which are electric, have bolster adjustment, and I'm assuming heated, though can't confirm that right now.

My goal is to install the seats for comfort, for looks and to have them operate electrically of course. If I can get the bolster function to operate..... then great as that would be a nice extra. Same with the heated seat part (if installed).

I understand the issue regarding the heater switch on the console that I'd face, so with that issue I'm wondering if I can bypass that by running separate switches for each seat still using the installed pads in the seats (if they have them of course). Would I also need to locate a module?

If not, then running something such as Mopar heated seat kit 82210896AB (or equivalent).

Thanks in advance.

 

[jouart]

Unfortunately your setup is unable to communicate with your truck's CAN system. The heated/vented seats with remote start feature doesn't just have another wire that triggers via remote start. It's actually controlled through the trucks CAN system through the exterior temp sensor and then through the heated seat module. In the factory configuration the heated seats won't turn on automatically unless the temp is °40 or less and the vented seats will automatically come on if the temp is °80 or higher. There is no way that we have found to change this setting with the Alfa tool so you wouldn't be able to set them to automatically come on every time you remote started the truck even if there was a dedicated wire that you could tap into.

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Any way to get the passenger seat to auto temp like the drivers seat ?

 

[Mrmagoolin]

If you have the heated seats/wheel already can you add just the vented parts?

 

[Ricks Ram]

Any way to get the passenger seat to auto temp like the drivers seat ?

Unfortunately you cannot.

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[Ricks Ram]

If you have the heated seats/wheel already can you add just the vented parts?

It would not be cost effective to try to just add the vent fans and wiring. The heated seat pads and ventilation fans are all incorporated together as one I
Unit. The seat foam itself is also different with special channels to promote airflow while someone is sitting in the seat.

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[Ricks Ram]

Advise needed......

Forgive me if it's been posted, but after 190+ pages my eyes are fried.

I have a 2011 Quad cab, initially installed with manual, non-heated seats. Scored rear leather split seats some time ago which have already been installed. Recently found a set of front black leather Rebel seats from a 2017 which are electric, have bolster adjustment, and I'm assuming heated, though can't confirm that right now.

My goal is to install the seats for comfort, for looks and to have them operate electrically of course. If I can get the bolster function to operate..... then great as that would be a nice extra. Same with the heated seat part (if installed).

I understand the issue regarding the heater switch on the console that I'd face, so with that issue I'm wondering if I can bypass that by running separate switches for each seat still using the installed pads in the seats (if they have them of course). Would I also need to locate a module?

If not, then running something such as Mopar heated seat kit 82210896AB (or equivalent).

Thanks in advance.

You will need to change your wiring pinouts for your seat belt chime. I'm not sure when the seat airbags came out but if your truck is equipped with them you would need to figure out that wiring as well. I have the pinout diagram for the 13 to 18+ Classic seats but I don't have the pinout for the 09 to 12 seats. As far as the power adjust and other seat functions go you can simply run a fused 12v power source to the solid red wire in the yellow seat connector on both seats. The heated seats will not work in your truck in the factory configuration. They operate through a completely different communication system than heated seats that would have come in your truck.. The Ram heated seat pads use a three wire system that's not compatible with much besides the factory heated seat module. Your best bet would be to remove the factory heating pads and install an aftermarket kit or the Mopar kit that comes with its own heating pads.

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[Mrmagoolin]

It would not be cost effective to try to just add the vent fans and wiring. The heated seat pads and ventilation fans are all incorporated together as one I
Unit. The seat foam itself is also different with special channels to promote airflow while someone is sitting in the seat.

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Thanks for that info.

 

[Socalramfan]

You will need to change your wiring pinouts for your seat belt chime. I'm not sure when the seat airbags came out but if your truck is equipped with them you would need to figure out that wiring as well. I have the pinout diagram for the 13 to 18+ Classic seats but I don't have the pinout for the 09 to 12 seats. As far as the power adjust and other seat functions go you can simply run a fused 12v power source to the solid red wire in the yellow seat connector on both seats. The heated seats will not work in your truck in the factory configuration. They operate through a completely different communication system than heated seats that would have come in your truck.. The Ram heated seat pads use a three wire system that's not compatible with much besides the factory heated seat module. Your best bet would be to remove the factory heating pads and install an aftermarket kit or the Mopar kit that comes with its own heating pads.

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Thanks for the response.

Is there a way I can get a look at the 13-18 pinout diagram your referring to? Cant seem to locate the correct one online.

 

[Ricks Ram]

Thanks for the response.

Is there a way I can get a look at the 13-18 pinout diagram your referring to? Cant seem to locate the correct one online.

Passenger seat yellow connector.

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[Ricks Ram]

Driver's seat yellow connector. Please disregard my notes in the pictures. I used these to build my original harness.

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[Socalramfan]

Rick....

Thank you.

I'll be taking a look at it later today, and tackle the seats in a week or so.

 

[HTXRamExp]

Reading this entire thread was akin to binging a series on Netflix...the ups, the downs, drama, and suspense! Haha

Anyways, I'm beginning my journey with this mod, and I believe I have everything sorted regarding parts needed and alpha programming.

So far the general consensus is that people prefer use of the hard buttons on the bezel, I however have an aftermarket aux button kit utilizing the bottom 5 buttons, which I have no intention of getting rid of.

So ideally, I will control the seats via the radio soft buttons only.

I believe that anytime anyone had issues with operation without the correct bezel in place, they also did not have an 8.4 radio or full conversion 8.4 radio and the bezel wasn't the limiting factor.

Can anyone confirm 100% operation of the seats (heat/vent) without the bezel plugged in, or non-matching bezel?

Thanks.

Edit:
Could the MSM Memory Seat Module be added to a Laramie seat with power, heat, vent and be wired up to function correctly?

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[Ricks Ram]

Reading this entire thread was akin to binging a series on Netflix...the ups, the downs, drama, and suspense! Haha

Anyways, I'm beginning my journey with this mod, and I believe I have everything sorted regarding parts needed and alpha programming.

So far the general consensus is that people prefer use of the hard buttons on the bezel, I however have an aftermarket aux button kit utilizing the bottom 5 buttons, which I have no intention of getting rid of.

So ideally, I will control the seats via the radio soft buttons only.

I believe that anytime anyone had issues with operation without the correct bezel in place, they also did not have an 8.4 radio or full conversion 8.4 radio and the bezel wasn't the limiting factor.

Can anyone confirm 100% operation of the seats (heat/vent) without the bezel plugged in, or non-matching bezel?

Thanks.

Edit:
Could the MSM Memory Seat Module be added to a Laramie seat with power, heat, vent and be wired up to function correctly?

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Yes, your seats should work without the switch panel. Every once in a while we get one that doesn't seem to act like the rest and we have no idea why but you should be fine as long as you enable all the correct codes. You can also add the memory wiring for Laramie seats. If your truck has the rest of the heated seat wiring you can add the 4 extra wires for the memory feature to work for the seats, mirrors " you have to have memory capable mirrors" radio preferences and climate. Two wires run from the yellow driver's seat connector to the CAN system and two wires run from the yellow driver's seat connector to the drivers door harness and pin into the connector for the drivers door module. If you wanted the memory pedals you would need to build another separate harness. If your truck doesn't have any of the heated/vented seat and heated wheel wiring you will need to buy a conversion harness from @M2mods and you can have him include the memory wiring in his harness.

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[HTXRamExp]

Yes, your seats should work without the switch panel. Every once in a while we get one that doesn't seem to act like the rest and we have no idea why but you should be fine as long as you enable all the correct codes. You can also add the memory wiring for Laramie seats. If your truck has the rest of the heated seat wiring you can add the 4 extra wires for the memory feature to work for the seats, mirrors " you have to have memory capable mirrors" radio preferences and climate. Two wires run from the yellow driver's seat connector to the CAN system and two wires run from the yellow driver's seat connector to the drivers door harness and pin into the connector for the drivers door module. If you wanted the memory pedals you would need to build another separate harness. If your truck doesn't have any of the heated/vented seat and heated wheel wiring you will need to buy a conversion harness from @M2mods and you can have him include the memory wiring in his harness.

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Thanks! Yep already in touch with M2Mods as I don't have any of the wiring in my Express.
I guess my question was more if you had Laramie seats with only power, heat, and vent. Could you purchase the MSM module separately, bolt it to the seat and wire it up to function.

Since I didn't read this situarion ever coming up in the last 1950+ posts perhaps it's just not feasible.


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