Driver's seat air conditioner is anemic

[HeavyG]

I agree with most of the posters in this thread - the driver's seat AC works OK for me. It indeed seems to cool down quickly and yes, the coolest setting is pretty cold.

 

[plapato]

My 2010 V6 w/ Tech Package cooled seat worked fabulous (read: cold) up until a week ago, now it just vents ambient air. My local dealer is telling me that the seat checks out ok. What is the ultimate fix and what are my options?

 

[PINGGOLF]

ok guys...im jealous.

My butt doesn't get cold...at all. I feel the coolness of the air moving but mine stays on level 3 ALL THE TIME until I turn the car off. I feel as if it is just ventilated...not cooled.

I'm headed to the dealership.

 

[nearwater]

Hope you get it fixed, guys.
It really is cold after a few minutes even on a hot day. If possible, try to compare it with another Genesis sitting at the dealer.
Good luck.

Dan

 

[ASHDUMP]

I left the gym the other day in my mesh shorts. My nuts froze.

 

[MrB0462]

90 degress plus and 99% humidity seat cools just fine in NJ.

Setting on three requires me to cut back after 2-3 minutes.

It does take 1 - 11/2 minutes to cool down.

Its either a different expectation or perhaps some units just don't cool.

 

[PINGGOLF]

Ok, definetly went to out for lunch today just to check this out.

I turned the seat on the minute I cranked the car (level 3). I set the AC on AUTO at 60 degrees. I drove 10 min to Jalapenos (mexican lunch) and I never felt but a slight cooling sensation...which feels more like a vented seat. In fact, I forgot I even turned it on...

What a disappointment...

 

[ASHDUMP]

Ok, definetly went to out for lunch today just to check this out.

I turned the seat on the minute I cranked the car (level 3). I set the AC on AUTO at 60 degrees. I drove 10 min to Jalapenos (mexican lunch) and I never felt but a slight cooling sensation...which feels more like a vented seat. In fact, I forgot I even turned it on...

What a disappointment...

Have them check it out when you bring your car in for the radio. Something is wrong. Also, check other Genesis on the lot.

 

[mrgenesis2009]

I recently have been noticing that my seat also doesn't seem to cool like before. I noticed this in the last two weeks as the temperatures in central Florida have started to increase. I thought maybe it couldn't keep up with the Florida heat. I'll have to bring it in to a dealer soon. I'll post what they tell me.

 

[JDC]

On second review, at 104 deg in the desert yesterday, I agree, it is a bit weak.

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[plapato]

After 2 days at Vandergriff Hyundai in Arlington, TX, the Service manager and Service associate claim the seat is working fine. I sit in the car after its been running 20 min with full AC and max seat cooling and the seat is luke warm at best, I voice my displeasure and the shop Foreman appears. He states it isn't cooling correctly and that he is aware of how cold it should be and that he needs to contact the regional tech rep for guidance. I stated that you could have replaced the seat with one from inventory to troubleshoot and been done in a couple of hours (vice days) and had a happy customer. (Fell on deaf ears). To make a long story short, the Service dept will contact me to return the car after they speak to the regional tech rep, looking like June 14. They are working with me but not to the level I expect. May need to try another dealership for [warranty] service after this fiasco.

 

[plapato]

I understand this to be the technology used in the Genesis.

http://www.amerigon.com/ccs_works.php

 

[JDC]

I understand this to be the technology used in the Genesis.

http://www.amerigon.com/ccs_works.php

The diagram looks like a peltier TEC to me. Maybe if they (Hyundai) would let us keep the old unit when it's pulled, we could replace the TEC with a much (?) higher WATT piece.

 

[nearwater]

I tested and timed mine today.
Temperature was 75*, humidity 55%.
Although it wasn't a hot day, the cabin was warm enough to be quite uncomfortable.
A/C has been running 15 min @ 71* but the seat was pretty warm and my butt sweaty.

Turned on the cooling seat and I could feel the seat surface getting colder after about 10~15 seconds.
After about a minute, it was cold enough. After 3 min, it was too cold, I had to turn it off.

Dan

 

[plapato]

Here's an update to my seat cooling problem as explained to me by the service shop foreman.
My DFW dealership contacted regional service support and learned that there have been several similar problems in California of which has been determined to be caused by the seat ductwork becoming completely blocked or sufficiently obstructed (presumably by the seat cushioning material) to prevent proper air-flow. A work-around has been implemented that includes inserting PVC tubing to enforce the seat area and prevent a collapse on/in to the air duct. (mind you, I weigh 150 lbs soaking wet so its a definite design problem)
My fix was completed June 16 and there was a noticeable improvement driving home that evening, however, today being June 18, I'm still not convinced the seat cooling is working as it was January - May. (e.g. Cold enough after a few minutes to warrant turning it down and/or off.). On the bright-side, the auto AC is reaching 41 degrees F when set to Low so the cabin is comfortable in the DFW heat, just wish the $$$ seat was.

oh yeah - I asked if this was planned to be a TSB and my local dealership did not know.

 

[Pahaska]

Mine is also getting a bit weak. When I bought the car (in Texas last July), I could not keep it on full cold for a long period because it cooled too well. It still cools, but it is barely comfortable running on full cool in the Texas heat. It is a waste of time to run it on a lower setting.

I think the blockage theory may be correct. I weigh 210.

 

[bluegreen]

I have noticed the same thing, the first summer I had the car, I couldn't keep the seat cooler on the highest setting because it was too cold. Now I can leave it on high and not notice.
But I have noticed if I lean forward for a little while, the cool air will start to flow through and the seat will get cold. I just assumed that the cushions have molded to my body and now the air flow is blocked.

 

[plapato]

Contacted the service manager after a few days to indcate the seat is still not cooling correctly even with the work-around installed. This trip to Service had a V8 sedan and V6 sedan ready for me to compare side-by-side against my car. My car failed in comparison so Hyundai is ordering a new seat. Hope to have it installed next week, will update again with results.
Logically, one would think a TSB (at the least) would be in the works.

 

[bluegreen]

platato - Did they say if something has changed or they have fixed something in the new seat that they are ordering? I am wondering if the problem will just happen again? (like my seat worked great when I first got the car but now it seems the cold air is blocked like yours)

What is odd to me is that the heating uses the same fan and heating/cooling element (I think applying the current different directions makes the element get hot or cold) and I never have trouble with the heating in the winter.

Also there is a removable filter under the seat before the air goes into the fan (you can see and remove it from the back seat) I checked mine and it seems fine.

 

[ASHDUMP]

Something I've noticed. When using the heat during the winter time on the driver side; it is considerably hotter than the passengers side. When I use the heat setting I put it on 3 for maybe 5 minutes.... then have to turn it down to 1. On the passenger side I can keep it on 3 for ever.

So I'm wondering if my driver seat has less foam/padding than some of you? Either way my cooling and heating functions work to the extreme.