Seat heater install - lower pads failing

I have figured out the upholstery part of this and I know how to do the electrical. But I am having an issue with the lower seat cushion seat heating pads. First one I installed did not heat past the crease in the seat where you make crease in the pad the cutout for the transverse support rod. So I did it again, testing all along the way with a battery. Pad worked fine naked. Then I made the cutout and pad worked fine. Then I taped it, creased it, and applied it to the seat cushion and it doesn't work at all anywhere. For some reason these pads short out when I make the crease in them. Am I doing something wrong??

 

Apparently, the crease is breaking the wires.

I'd try installing without making the crease.

 

You have to make the crease for the seat cover rod to go into. But I think I know the problem. They gave me metal tape. I believe that is shorting out the pads, especially the 2 small pieces on the sides. Perhaps it doesn't really need those short pieces... but it seems to me that if you don't tape that area the metal rod might still be able to make contact. I used up the last pad that was for the drivers seat and did the taping with Gorilla tape and it is working fine.

 

I installed a set of these about a year ago. I don't think you want to be creasing the pad. The cutout you made is so the seat cover pocket and rod can pass through the heater. The rod should go under the heater when you're done.

 

The directions say to make the cutout in the middle to access the rod anchor points in the groove in the seat bottom cushion and to tuck the strips on the side into the groove in the foam. Just like this video at minute 6:30 or so. This is exactly how I did it. That is the only crease anywhere. Not really a crease... more of a tuck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RvA9cuVGqE

 

Here is a screenshot of that step:

 

Ive installed probably installed about 5 heated seat kits in my driving history. And ive never cut the pad I always went right over it. And never had a issue. But i was going to say what you mentioned the tape is probably your problem it looks like duct tape but the shinny stuff. That would be my guess why it’s shorting

 

Raylo, you're right, I tucked mine into the groove in the foam just enough to give it some contour. I bought my set through eBay and they came with a yellow insulating tape. That may be your issue after all.