Driver's seat air conditioner is anemic

[scottdk]

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.

Interesting......I pretty much only use level 3 heat for a couple of minutes just like you, and my girlfriend in the passenger seat uses level 3 heat and never shuts it off. She says it doesn't get super hot. Her Sonata is the same way.

Is it because women have more body fat then men, and the heat is more difficult to feel, or im wondering if she is just retarded?

Guess I'll have to sit in the passenger seat and try out the heat prior to putting the Genesis in storage late this fall.

Oh, BTW.....My cooled seat isn't getting as cold as it used to. I'll try the seat 1 more time the next time I drive the Genesis, and if it still feels weak, I'll take it to the dealer.

 

[plapato]

blugreen - My concern is that until Hyundai produces a new design, the apparent design flaw in the seat may return and we do this dance again. I asked the Srevice Director what assurances are there that this is being addressed at a higher level and he gave me a case number.

 

[bluegreen]

blugreen - My concern is that until Hyundai produces a new design, the apparent design flaw in the seat may return and we do this dance again. I asked the Srevice Director what assurances are there that this is being addressed at a higher level and he gave me a case number.

I understand, Unfortantly I will probably reach 60,000 miles before the end of the year so there will be no free fixes at that point. So I wish there was a real solution now before my warranty ends.

 

[Orcaman]

Interesting......I pretty much only use level 3 heat for a couple of minutes just like you, and my girlfriend in the passenger seat uses level 3 heat and never shuts it off. She says it doesn't get super hot. Her Sonata is the same way.

Is it because women have more body fat then men, and the heat is more difficult to feel, or im wondering if she is just retarded?

Guess I'll have to sit in the passenger seat and try out the heat prior to putting the Genesis in storage late this fall.

Oh, BTW.....My cooled seat isn't getting as cold as it used to. I'll try the seat 1 more time the next time I drive the Genesis, and if it still feels weak, I'll take it to the dealer.

I read this post to my wife, who asked the "seat heat" question to the dealer. The explanation she got was that the heat on the drivers seat is delivered to the seat and seat back whereas the passenger seat has no seat back heat, delivering a "less heat" feel.......P.S. she wants everyone to know she is not retarded, but had the same concerns.

 

[scottdk]

I read this post to my wife, who asked the "seat heat" question to the dealer. The explanation she got was that the heat on the drivers seat is delivered to the seat and seat back whereas the passenger seat has no seat back heat, delivering a "less heat" feel.......P.S. she wants everyone to know she is not retarded, but had the same concerns.

Weird! I'll have to turn on the passenger seat heat and place my hand on the back and check it out......

Your wifes response is pretty damn funny

 

[plapato]

After a month of insisting my seat was not cooling correctly the shop service foreman finally came through with a legitimate fix. He had planned to swap my seat with a seat from a vehicle on the lot but instead replaced the "TED" units. He explained that the "TED" is the thermal-electric device that produces the cooling/heating in the seat. Two total, one for the seat bottom and one for the seat back. He actually took me into the shop and physically showed me a disassembled seat. My seat is now working correctly (read: COLD). We also decided to leave the work-around in place (PVC tubes). Hyundai needs to update the troubleshooting procedures to avoid this going forward and should release a TSB instructing each dealership to check/replace this component when seat cooling issues are suspected.

 

[ck2118]

After a month of insisting my seat was not cooling correctly the shop service foreman finally came through with a legitimate fix. He had planned to swap my seat with a seat from a vehicle on the lot but instead replaced the "TED" units. He explained that the "TED" is the thermal-electric device that produces the cooling/heating in the seat. Two total, one for the seat bottom and one for the seat back. He actually took me into the shop and physically showed me a disassembled seat. My seat is now working correctly (read: COLD). We also decided to leave the work-around in place (PVC tubes). Hyundai needs to update the troubleshooting procedures to avoid this going forward and should release a TSB instructing each dealership to check/replace this component when seat cooling issues are suspected.

Plapato... Glad to hear that you got your problem resolved. I too took my car (1100 mi) in yesterday for a variety of reasons (Tilt steering, overly stretched leather, and seat cooling). In regards to the cooling, the service techs originally said the seat was working properly but after insisting that it wasn't, the manager came out to check it out himself. After about 5 min in the seat, he agreed with me that although it was cool, it wasn't as cold as it should have been. He reached under the seat and said that he could feel the air being sucked in but feared there was a leak or some other problem. He wants to take the seat apart when I bring the car back in for the other reasons.

I too live in the DFW area and was wondering which dealership you took your car into so that if my service dept try to change their story about the seat working fine, I could just take it in to your service dept.

Thanks.

 

[JDC]

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.

Do they have a service bulletin number for this workaround issue?

 

[MrB0462]

JDC

41 degreees f - can't be the temperature

 

[YEH]

FYI - the 2011 Genesis is getting a proprietary heated and ventilated seat system developed by Amerigon Incorporated.

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[plapato]

Vandergriff Hyundai in Arlington.

 

[cschuler]

http://delphi.com/pdf/techpapers/2007-01-1193.pdf

 

[plapato]

This may help. http://www.amerigon.com/ccs_seating.php

 

[JDC]

Is there a service bulletin number for the seat A/C "fix"?

Anyone?

 

[CapoCriminali]

I just picked up my 2010 4.6 Tech this weekend and I have to say - the cooled seat has to be one of the most awesome upgrades imaginable. I had a 2005 Escalade ESV Platinum, and the cooled seat in the truck was basically what I expected this to be - a simple fan. The system in this car is just *AWESOME* in comparison. It's so cold I often find myself ready to turn it off, even in this 95 degree NYC heat

 

[Campo57]

Ok, I need to get some ground truth on the cooled seat. Does the cooling only affect the seat bottom or both seat bottom and back? I just dropped my car off this morning telling them the seat back isn't cooling and they said the seat back isn't cooled, only the bottom. I find that hard to believe but without something solid to back me up, I can't argue the fact.
Anyone have something that proves the seat back is supposed to be cooled also?
Thanks in advance.

 

[scottdk]

Ok, I need to get some ground truth on the cooled seat. Does the cooling only affect the seat bottom or both seat bottom and back? I just dropped my car off this morning telling them the seat back isn't cooling and they said the seat back isn't cooled, only the bottom. I find that hard to believe but without something solid to back me up, I can't argue the fact.
Anyone have something that proves the seat back is supposed to be cooled also?
Thanks in advance.

The cooled seat cools both the bottom and back. I sometimes have to turn down the cooled seat because my back and rear get too cold.

 

[ckon]

Ok, I need to get some ground truth on the cooled seat. Does the cooling only affect the seat bottom or both seat bottom and back? I just dropped my car off this morning telling them the seat back isn't cooling and they said the seat back isn't cooled, only the bottom. I find that hard to believe but without something solid to back me up, I can't argue the fact.
Anyone have something that proves the seat back is supposed to be cooled also?
Thanks in advance.

Bottom and back, but good luck!

Mine has been in for service for three days and Hyundai is still forcing my dealer to diagnose exactly what and where the problem is. This is the third model year for this vehicle and I have a hard time believing that they don't know what's wrong with these seats.

Nobody at Hyundai seems to care that they've had my car for three days and still may have to order parts which will take another indeterminate time. This will be the last Hyundai I buy unless Hyundai comes up with some magic. I've NEVER had a car in for service this much or this long!!! A wonderful car with a woeful corporate repair and customer sat policy.

 

[Paulroger]

Ok, I need to get some ground truth on the cooled seat. Does the cooling only affect the seat bottom or both seat bottom and back? I just dropped my car off this morning telling them the seat back isn't cooling and they said the seat back isn't cooled, only the bottom. I find that hard to believe but without something solid to back me up, I can't argue the fact.
Anyone have something that proves the seat back is supposed to be cooled also?
Thanks in advance.

I have been to two dealers this week complaining of the lack of cooling. I even showed them a copy of the email from Plapato explaining the replacement of the thermal units. Both dealers stated that the thermal units are only used for heat and that cooling only applies to the bottom cushion. I was told to turn on the AC to bi-level as a fan under the seat simply sucks up the cold air produced by the AC.
I also need hard evidence that the thermal units actually produce cold air.
Plapato, can you give me the contact for the service guy you dealt with so that I can educate my dealer. I'm not in the mood to try another dealer.

 

[Campo57]

I have been to two dealers this week complaining of the lack of cooling. I even showed them a copy of the email from Plapato explaining the replacement of the thermal units. Both dealers stated that the thermal units are only used for heat and that cooling only applies to the bottom cushion. I was told to turn on the AC to bi-level as a fan under the seat simply sucks up the cold air produced by the AC.
I also need hard evidence that the thermal units actually produce cold air.
Plapato, can you give me the contact for the service guy you dealt with so that I can educate my dealer. I'm not in the mood to try another dealer.

I called Hyundai America and according to the owner's manual (page 3-9) both the seat bottom and back are cooled and heated. I then called the dealer servicing my car and asked them to recheck it. They just called back, said there was only one cooling unit and that the ductwork going to the seat back was blowing air but it did not have a separate cooling unit. He said they left the seat back off so I can see it. I plan on looking very closely to see if there is a separate unit to cool the seat back.
I'll let everyone know when after I get my eyes on it.
I just can't believe that I can freeze my butt off but get virtually nothing from the seat back.