Assembly & Installation of the Audiovox SKS1 Seat Warmer (8.5” x 9.5”)

Assembly and Installation of the Audiovox SKS1 Seat Warmer (8.5” x 9.5”)

INSTALLATION PREPARATION 

1. The seat heater will NOT work on seats manufactured using the “foam in place” (trim cover glued to foam pad) method of trim cover attachment.
2. If the vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft radio, the radio code must be written down prior to disconnecting battery cable. The code must be reentered when the negative battery cable is re-installed.
3. If vehicle is equipped with an air bag, it is advisable to disconnect negative battery cable for 3 minutes prior to beginning installation.
4. Only use parts and components supplied in kit for the seat heater installation. The supplied components are carefully selected for optimal performance. Foreign parts may lead to problems which could result in potential damage to the seat heater components or vehicle.
   NOTE: The installation of the heating pads must be free of creases and wrinkles.
5. Seats in vehicles with pre-loaded (power charge equipped) safety belts must be removed and re-installed under strict adherence to the vehicle manufacturers instructions.
6. Where a seat is equipped with an occupant pressure sensor for air bag deployment; refer to the manufacturer’s manual for specific instruction with regard to installing seat heater kits.
7. After installing seat heater wire harness, verify all seat motions are still possible without obstruction and the moving of the seat does not cause any interference that could damage the seat heater wire harness.
8. Installation of a seat heaters with seats containing seam lines running front to rear (length wise) is not permitted. Only exception is if the heating pads are not directly located over the groove/s.
9. The overall side to side (width) of the heating pads must not be altered.
   CAUTION: Do NOT cut the side of the heating pad.
10. Both heating pads must be connected to ensure system functions properly.

The SCO1, SCO2 and SSP1 are premium, pre-cut pads that are designed to allow for quick installation on seats with vertical or horizontal listings. No cutting or taping required by the installer.

WARNING: Metal, electrical conductors or hog rings are not to be placed on, through or across the heating element.

WARNING: Do not tap or solder seat heater harness to any airbag circuits. Yellow tape, tubing and connectors will indicate airbag circuits.

WARNING: Do not tap or solder seat heater harness to any pre-loaded safety belt circuits.

Installation Parts:

Seat Cushion:

1. Prior to removing seat from vehicle, lay heating pads on seat to verify size and fit.
2. Park and secure the vehicle on a level surface.
3. Disconnect the negative battery cable. If you have any doubt concerning the layout of the vehicle wire harness, consult the wiring diagram provided by the manufacturer.
4. Remove seat from vehicle and place on a suitable work table/area.
   NOTE: Make certain to disconnect all wire connectors prior to removing seat from vehicle.
5. Disassemble seat as needed to gain access to seat cushion cover attachment clips.
6. Unsnap j-clips and or remove “hog ring” clips and peel back cover. Refer to Figures 1 and 2.
   
   NOTE: If trim cover has hook and loop style tie down, care must be taken when removing cover.
7. Measure the width of the center seat area between the longitudinal seams.
   NOTE: The width must be at least 10" (250 mm). The heating pad CAN'T contact the side seems of the seat. If it does make contact, the seat heater cannot be installed. Refer to Figure 3.
   
   The SCO1, SCO2 and SSP1 are premium, pre-cut pads that are designed to allow for quick installation on seats with vertical or horizontal listings. No cutting or taping required by the installer. If using one of these models, proceed to step 11 & simply install following the general installation instructions.
8. Position the heating pad with the label facing down and the wire harness routed towards the back of the seat area. Adjust the pad so the thermostat is located about 1 to 2" (25-50 mm) forward of the back rest. In cases where the seat cushion contains lateral grooves (side to side) to allow for trim cover attachment, a section of the heating pad will need to be cut out. Refer to Figure 4.
   
9. Once the area that needs to be cut out is marked, remove the heating pad from the cushion. Measure in (towards Center of pad) on each side 1 9/16 inch (40mm) and mark. This is necessary to ensure that the main power supply for the heating pad does not get damaged or cut. Refer to Figure 5.
   
10. Cut out the marked area. With the section removed, wrap the lateral “bridges” with the black insulation tape. Repeat procedure on remaining sides of the cut out. Refer to Figure 6.
    
11. Reposition heating pad onto cushion foam. Make sure the thermostat is in the correct location. Refer to Step 9. Using the supplied double sided tape, attach the back edge of the heating pad to the cushion foam. With the pad attached at the rear, determine the final length.
    NOTE: Confirm the length difference between the cushion pad and back rest pad is not more than 10-3/4" (275 mm). Refer to Figure 7.
    
12. Trim if needed.
    NOTE: The seat heater pad should reach the forward edge of the seat cushion. Refer to Figure 8.
    
13. Route the heating pad wire harness so that it exits the trim cover in an inconspicuous area.
14. Installation is now complete.
    NOTE: Double check to make sure the pad doesn't have any wrinkles or is folded over onto itself. Once checked, carefully re-attach trim cover.

Back Rest:

1. Follow the same order and procedures for steps 5-13 for installing the heating pad to the back rest.

NOTE: For step 11, use the tape that is on the pads. One at the top and the other approximately half way down to ensure the pad will not loosen and wrinkle over time due to effects of gravity.

Seat Heater Pad Wire Harness Routing/ Attachment:

1. Route wires from cushion & back to underside of seat. Use supplied wire ties to fasten harness to seat.
   WARNING: Ensure attachment locations WON'T interfere with any seat movement.

Seat Heater Switch:

1. With the seat still removed from vehicle, choose a switch location on a flat surface where the wires won’t interfere with any seat movement.
2. Mark the location & drill a 3/4" (19.5 mm) hole using a stepped drill bit.
   NOTE: Hand filing may be required for final fitting.
3. Insert switch through opening and snap into place.

Seat Heater Wire Harness:

1. Remove vehicle scuff plate & kick panel.
2. Starting under seat, route the main harness through carpet opening toward scuff plate. Route the harness along scuff plate towards the underside of dash.
   NOTE: If an opening in carpet does not exist, create one as required.
3. Using a volt/ohm meter, locate a switched ignition circuit that is capable of handling a 10A continuous current and attach using one of the supplied T-tap connectors. Use red T-tap for 18-22 gauge wire, blue T-tap for 16-14 gauge wire or yellow T-tap for 12-10 gauge wire. Attach spade connector to seat heater harness red wire and connect to T-tap.
   NOTE: Improper installation could drain your battery if you attach the seat heater harness to a constant battery source.
   WARNING: Never use engine control/ ECM, safety device, ABS/ARS or engine cooling fan, etc. to power the seat heater circuit.
4. Attach ring connector on the black harness wire to a suitable ground source at vehicle.
   NOTE: A T-tap and spade connector can also be used if needed. Tap/splice into only one vehicle circuit per seat heater harness.

Final Seat Assembly:

1. Re-assemble remaining components of seat.
2. Load seat into vehicle. Do not install mounting fasteners.
3. Re-connect vehicle harness connectors. Connect seat heater switch, main power and heating elements to seat heater harness.
   NOTE: Heating elements can be plugged into either connector.
4. Install seat mounting fasteners and torque to manufacturers recommended specifications.
5. Re-connect the negative battery cable and test the seat heater function to ensure it is operating correctly.
6. Re-check all systems and accessories where components were removed or relocated during the installation process.
7. Re-install vehicle scuff plate and kick panel.