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Heated steering wheel mod - success!

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Emmantik, Nov 7, 2023.

  1. Nov 7, 2023 at 8:55 AM
    #1
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    So I plan to add heat to my 2015 SR5P steering wheel. After reading this thread I am convinced that it can be done to our 4Runners.

    https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/diy-heated-steering-wheel.1722057/

    I recently bought a used cheap steering wheel which matched what I currently have from Facebook marketplace. Bought it to examine, take apart, etc.

    So this is the first thing I need help with;

    The 2 connectors inside the steering wheel have empty slots. I plan to use them to run the wire(s) from/to the heat pads/switch. My question is, where do these connectors end up (through the clockspring) and on the other side of the steering wheel? And specifically, which wire(s) on the backside relate to the blank slots on the connectors? I am not an automotive electrical expert nor good at reading wiring diagrams but I am willing to tackle this mod if I can get some expert help. Any advice or leads on where to start looking would be greatly appreciated! Here are the 2 connectors in question which shows the empty slots I plan to use;

    steering1.jpg

    steering2.jpg
    steering3.jpg

    steering4.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2023
    mtnslyr and Rob41 like this.
  2. Nov 7, 2023 at 12:45 PM
    #2
    Dillusion

    Dillusion Resident A**h***

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    Glanced through the other thread and it seems like the corollas are wired for heated steering wheel as well.

    Sounds like he found a clock spring with the heating to support it. Not sure if the 4R has this wiring. Best bet it to buy a subscription to ToyotaTIS to see the wiring. Or get someone to take apart their heated wheel for you.
     
  3. Nov 7, 2023 at 12:47 PM
    #3
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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  4. Nov 7, 2023 at 1:00 PM
    #4
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    Yes I did see that post as well. The reason I chose not to go with that mod is 1, the OEM heated wheel is quite costly. More than I am willing to pay for this mod. 2, the OEM heated wheel only heats 3 and 9 o'clock of the steering wheel if I understand correctly. Doing it this way is more cost effective and would heat the whole steering wheel. I would think you would need a new clockspring as well if you do Old Red's retrofit? I guess I would have to wait and see.
     
  5. Nov 7, 2023 at 1:03 PM
    #5
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    Actually the OP in other post used factory clockspring with no heat option. That is why he had to run the extra wire through an empty slot on a paddle shift connector. I am looking to do this mod a similar way - run a wire(s) through an empty slot. Just need to figure out how to do that.
     
  6. Nov 7, 2023 at 4:00 PM
    #6
    TheSponge

    TheSponge New Member

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    I am not following you. So is the wheel on your photo not a OEM wheel? Which would only heat at 3 and 9 positions. Or are you somehow retrofitting a heat pad behind the leather of the wheel?

    Is the wheel in the photo above heated?
     
  7. Nov 7, 2023 at 4:22 PM
    #7
    RumHamRunner73

    RumHamRunner73 Dead on with a zero

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    Let me start looking through the 2010 wiring diagram and see what I can find. Will post updates when I find, time permitting, as the manual I have is not labelled/organized very well.
     
    Emmantik[OP] likes this.
  8. Nov 7, 2023 at 4:24 PM
    #8
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    The photo of the wheel above is an OEM wheel - non heated. I bought to experiment, plan, examine, take apart, etc before I tackle this mod. I plan to remove the current leather on it, add heating pads, then re-cover with aftermarket leather wrap cover. Then swap it in for my current wheel which is still attached to the vehicle. OR, do the mod directly to my current steering wheel attached. Hope that makes sense!
     
    TheSponge[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Nov 7, 2023 at 6:41 PM
    #9
    backpacker

    backpacker New Member

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    The heated portion isn't that small. It goes from the joints at around 10:30 and 1:30 down to where the vertical spokes reach the wheel, about 7:30 and 4:30. 3 and 9 are actually less warm than above or below those points.
     
  10. Nov 8, 2023 at 6:39 AM
    #10
    TheSponge

    TheSponge New Member

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    Gotcha, that makes sense. I will be following this thread as I want a heated wheel in my 4runner - miss this feature from my previous car.
     
  11. Nov 9, 2023 at 7:43 AM
    #11
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    I removed the leather upholstery in preparation for the heating pads. Here's what your steering wheel looks like without it's skin.

    steering1.jpg

    steering2.jpg

    steering3.jpg
     
  12. Nov 9, 2023 at 11:04 AM
    #12
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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  13. Nov 9, 2023 at 11:07 AM
    #13
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    So there are 2 connectors that come out the bottom of the clockspring. 1 is yellow and the other is black. Yellow is for ABS and the other is for steering wheel controls. I plan to disconnect the airbag and test the pins on the connectors for continuity this weekend with a multimeter. Will report back with what I find.
     
  14. Nov 12, 2023 at 3:37 PM
    #14
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    So today I had time to remove the airbag so I can test the pins/wires of the empty slots with a multimeter. The empty slot as pictured here where the red wire is inserted, corresponds to this pin on the bottom black connector under the clockspring (top row 2nd from the right). Good news is the black connector on the other side also has the empty slot!

    Since I have an extra harness for the cruise control, I depinned and removed the wires as shown in the 3rd pic. I will use these to insert into the empy slots on both connectors. One will lead to the heating pad from inside th steering wheel and the other on the clockspring side will go to the fusebox.

    Q: Which circuit should I use in the fusebox? Suggestions welcome!

    pin1.jpg

    pin2.jpg

    pins3.jpg
     
  15. Nov 14, 2023 at 12:27 AM
    #15
    Greg D

    Greg D New Member

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    Borla exhaust, Jet MAF sensor, K&N filter, Hayden rapid cool transmission cooler, Hella horns, electric fan, Pedal Commander, Derale power steering cooler,
    Trade for Lexus
     
  16. Nov 19, 2023 at 7:00 PM
    #16
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    Heating pad came in today! Did a test fit and realized that I need to do some trimming to prevent bunching of the material.

    heatpad1.jpg
     
  17. Nov 19, 2023 at 7:02 PM
    #17
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    Here's what it looked like after trimming of some material.

    heatpad2.jpg
     
  18. Nov 19, 2023 at 7:38 PM
    #18
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    How I ran the wires;

    wire1.jpg

    wire2.jpg

    wire3.jpg

    wire4.jpg
     
  19. Nov 19, 2023 at 7:53 PM
    #19
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    My original plan was to ground to a bolt inside the steering wheel to prevent having to run another wire through the clockspring. But after testing the bolts for a good ground, none was giving me continuity. So I had to find another blank slot in the connector and the corresponding pin on the other side. the very top right pin in the steering wheel corresponds to the very top left pin on the backside as per the pic.

    groundpins.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2023
  20. Nov 19, 2023 at 7:59 PM
    #20
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    Now I'm only waiting for the leather wrap to finish!
     
  21. Nov 22, 2023 at 8:14 AM
    #21
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    Cut out a groove so there is no bump under the wrap. Wire sits in there perfectly flush with the steering wheel.

    groove.jpg


    wireingroove.jpg
     
  22. Nov 22, 2023 at 8:19 AM
    #22
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    Bought some high temp cloth tape to hold down the heating pad. I don't think it's necessary but I thought it would be better and safer than just regular tape.

    And here it is all wrapped up nice and tight. Still waiting for the aftermarket wrap...

    tape.jpg

    wrapped.jpg
     
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  23. Nov 24, 2023 at 11:11 AM
    #23
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    Just another angle of how I ran the wires. They are tucked in the normal grooves and a couple grooves I had to carve out. I wanted a flush finish so there would be no bumps under the wrap.

    route1.jpg

    route2.jpg
     
  24. Nov 28, 2023 at 8:14 AM
    #24
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    Bought this switch which is from a BMW but for some reason it does not seem to work. Power goes through but not enough. It doesn't seem to heat up the pads. On top of that it is momentary. I thought it was a maintained switch. Too bad as it would've looked somewhat OEM.

    bmw1.jpg

    bmw2.jpg

    bmw3.jpg
     
  25. Nov 28, 2023 at 8:15 AM
    #25
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    So I ended up using the switch it came with. Worked in the location I wanted but not quite the look I was hoping for. Did a mock wiring setup with an extra battery and everything worked. I put the switch to the side of the steering wheel as shown. It is in perfect reach of my fingers. I don't even need to take my hand off the steering wheel to turn it on and off.

    switch1.jpg

    switch2.jpg

    switch3.jpg

    switch4.jpg
     
  26. Nov 28, 2023 at 12:59 PM
    #26
    raimieb

    raimieb Hobby Mechanic - Love Our 4Runner!

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    Lots…
    Wow. Your work is impressive. I’m too lazy.
     
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  27. Nov 30, 2023 at 9:42 AM
    #27
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    Got my switch wired and taped up to take up minimal space.

    switch1.jpg

    switch2.jpg
     
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  28. Dec 4, 2023 at 7:32 AM
    #28
    Emmantik

    Emmantik [OP] New Member

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    The wrap finally showed up and had some time this weekend to put it on. It is not perfect but overall I am pretty happy with how it turned out. Here is also a shot of the stitching and another shot of the switch and how easy accessible it is for my fingers.

    done.jpg

    stitch.jpg

    button.jpg
     
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  29. Dec 11, 2023 at 7:06 PM
    #29
    TheSponge

    TheSponge New Member

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    Did you stitch that back together? Also, where did you get the new leather wrap from?

    Not sure if you read the post from the guy that made the heated pad harness but within his FAQ he advises on using the stock clock spring for a heated wheel retrofit since it wasn’t made for it..
     
  30. Dec 11, 2023 at 10:14 PM
    #30
    roooo

    roooo New Member

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    that wrap alone is pretty badass i would like a more abrasive feel to the steering wheel...
     

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