Heat from center console (LOTS)

[Program1]

I drove to the airport to pick up my mother yesterday and I noticed a lot of heat coming from under my seat.

I've seen this reported before (yes I searched first) and the general consensus was that it was the rear seat air system.

BUT. I read that thread last week and have since checked and double checked to make sure that system is turned all the way down.

So, let me describe this heat.

1. It's HOT. Hot enough to make my right thigh and calf feel like they are burning. Hot enough to make me uncomfortable.

2. It's definitely coming from the center console. There's a spot directly below the actual center armrest on the side that is heating up. (Basically just to the right of my right hip)

3. It also heats up the metal under the seat. When I reached down to feel the metal rail under the seat with my right hand it was hot enough to make me reflex when I touched it. It's hot.

So, what could this be?

Note: the rear heating and cooling system was off. I double and triple checked since I knew to look for that.

Here are some other conditions that I don't think matter but might.

1. The cabin heating was on but not on high. (72 degrees)
2. It was night.
3. I had cruise control on most of the time.

 

[glennk]

Could it be a ACC issue. In my old Acura RL, the same would happen when the unit was going to expire, blowing hot air.

 

[Ragnar]

With what your saying I think I'd be taking this to a dealers service dept. asap,
You don't say what year your Genesis is.

 

[glennk]

Especially if your closing in on the 5/60 warranty. From what i've read here, HPP doesn't cover this component (~$3100).

 

[PMCErnie]

Nobody knows what a 4 G Genesis is, except Program1. Get it to the dealer!

 

[SuperKing]

The center storage bin gets pretty warm in my 2015 when I take it on long drives. I always just figured it was heat generated by the transmission

 

[PMCErnie]

It probably means that the rear heat ducts are blowing full blast.

 

[zeez]

I've noticed that when the rear vents are not fully open the airflow changes from cold to warm. There are two controls: temperature and flow. Regardless of whether the temp is set to full cold, if I change the airflow from fully open to half-open or mostly closed, the airflow becomes warm/hot.

Is this typical?

 

[Program1]

The center storage bin gets pretty warm in my 2015 when I take it on long drives. I always just figured it was heat generated by the transmission

Hot enough to heat up the metal rail under the seat?

It's like my legs are burning...

I'll schedule an appointment to get it checked out tomorrow.

 

[5 Timer]

Do you get heat through the rear vents at the back of the console when you select heat for the rear?

The HVAC ductwork probably runs below the center console. If duct has become dislodged, I'm thinking the heat would be escaping outwards towards the front seat rails. Is the front passenger seat also affected?

I'm just guessing, since I don't know anything about HVAC system routing and I personally feel the rear seat heat/AC controls are just plain stupid in design.

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[lobsenza]

I personally feel the rear seat heat/AC controls are just plain stupid in design.

...a very stupid design. It would be much better if it was controlled with the passenger controls. A dedicated rear seat control that could be synced with the front is the optimal solution. The current solution is awful.

 

[AustinTX]

Hot enough to heat up the metal rail under the seat?

It's like my legs are burning...

I'll schedule an appointment to get it checked out tomorrow.

Hello Program1,

What did the dealer service department say about your issue? I'm really curious as to what the cause for this rather unusual issue was.

Thanks,

AustinTX

 

[srobak]

There are floor vents under your seats for the rear passengers feet as well. The duct for one of those and/or the center console vent has become dislodged or has a hole in it. Take it to the dealer - this is a warranty item.

 

[Program1]

I just called to schedule an appointment to have it looked at. Hopefully they can figure it out. I haven't figured out the exact conditions which make it happen yet.

 

[Program1]

I just heard back from the service center. They are going to replace the "Air Separator Actuator" which they found to be faulty. (warranty repair)

So:

The center storage bin gets pretty warm in my 2015 when I take it on long drives. I always just figured it was heat generated by the transmission

You might consider getting yours checked out too.

 

[Program1]

So, the part finally came in and they called me yesterday to tell me that didn't fix the problem. Apparently they are "calling Hyundai" today to see if they can help diagnose the problem. At least they gave me a 2017 Sonata Sport as a loaner until my car is done.

I'll keep this thread updated in case anyone else ends up with a similar problem.

 

[Program1]

They took it all back apart again and found a harness that wasn't connected. Something I didn't realize never worked on my car was the "auto" button on the center stack. I guess that changes the air mix and blower speed to get the car to temperature. Anyway, now it's fixed.

 

[lobsenza]

Is the heating/cooling rotating knob for the rear seat on the back of the console electric or mechanical?

 

[Program1]

Is the heating/cooling rotating knob for the rear seat on the back of the console electric or mechanical?

It is electrical. If you have the climate control page up on the display you can see it turn on and off as you rotate the knob. It's a poor design since it doesn't "click" to off.

But to be clear: This problem has nothing to do with the rear climate control.

- - - Updated - - -

I just dropped my car off again.
The problem has returned.

Now it's intermittent. What I notice is that I cannot activate recirculate. I also can't activate "AUTO" cabin temp.

 

[Program1]

So, they are telling me it's completely normal for the car to behave this way. (at the dealership)

Can someone (anyone) help me out with this. Should I call a different dealership?