Heated/Cooled Seats

[lobsenza]

I would like the ability for the heated or cooled seats to turn on automatically when the car starts. I thought this would be fairly easy with a trigger relay and the connecting of the heated or cooled trigger wire to the power wire (equivalent to the switch). I measured the resistance of the switch and duplicated the resistance. But I cannot duplicate the switch by touching the 2 wires together. Any ideas?

Another problem with testing this that the engine has to be started for the heated or cooled seats to work at all. It would be really helpful if simply turning the vehicle on without the engine running would be enough for testing.

 

[italiabrain]

I would like the ability for the heated or cooled seats to turn on automatically when the car starts. I thought this would be fairly easy with a trigger relay and the connecting of the heated or cooled trigger wire to the power wire (equivalent to the switch). I measured the resistance of the switch and duplicated the resistance. But I cannot duplicate the switch by touching the 2 wires together. Any ideas?

Another problem with testing this that the engine has to be started for the heated or cooled seats to work at all. It would be really helpful if simply turning the vehicle on without the engine running would be enough for testing.

Personally, I would want to avoid having resistive heating and the starter motor going at the same time. If you successfully setup a trigger I would also implement a time delay of a few seconds to avoid that.

The simplest answer to your question is that if that's the behavior you're observing it's not likely to be a simple normally-open circuit. The alternatives that come to mind are that the signal is more complex than a single impulse or the circuit is normally-closed. I would think a complex normally-open is more likely, especially since the buttons have the behavior they do of holding to skip to off without cycling the settings in between. Might even be pulse width sensitive?

I would definitely like to see this as a feature on the smartphone bluelink app though. I'm not sure that the system is integrated enough for that to work, but it's those kind of features that could really make bluelink pull away from an RF remote starter.

 

[lobsenza]

The seats will not turn on until after you shift out of park, so this isn't an issue for use. I would just like to test without having to start the car. My test would last only 5 seconds. i also keep the car on a charger while i am testing.

 

[CanukV6]

Since the Seat Cooling requires the A/C Compressor to be running, I am sure there are interlocks with that system, which itself has a delayed start after the engine fires. There will always be a delay for the cooling air to reach the seats as the compressor needs to circulate the refrigerant for a short while before you feel the cool air.

Not sure I would bother myself. Is pressing a switch really that difficult?

 

[harwax]

Since the Seat Cooling requires the A/C Compressor to be running, I am sure there are interlocks with that system, which itself has a delayed start after the engine fires. There will always be a delay for the cooling air to reach the seats as the compressor needs to circulate the refrigerant for a short while before you feel the cool air.

I thought the seats were only ventilated with a fan blowing & not at all associated with a/c system.

 

[Nikgen]

I thought the seats were only ventilated with a fan blowing & not at all associated with a/c system.

That's my understanding - it's just recirculating cool cabin air from under the seats up through the perforated cushions?

 

[lobsenza]

It is just recirculating cabin air.

It is not critical, i just wanted the seats to turn on automatically. I thought it would be easy, but it is proving much harder than I thought. My basic problem is I cannot duplicate the function of the switch. I thought it would be easy.

 

[jjsC6]

Seat cooling going off every time the car is turned off is a big gripe of mine. I live in Houston where they need to be on 100% for six straight months. Some cars are finally getting past that. Our Lexus GS has an automatic setting, as does the new Acura TLX.

 

[CanukV6]

I am fairly sure the seat air is cooled. After a short while my seat-back is far cooler than ambient cabin air.

 

[lobsenza]

I actually have made some progress. I can get cooling to turn on by touching 2 wires together. But, if I use a relay to touch the same 2 wires, the cooling turns on, but turns off in about 5 seconds. I am not sure why. Any ideas?

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[ckon]

I actually have made some progress. I can get cooling to turn on by touching 2 wires together. But, if I use a relay to touch the same 2 wires, the cooling turns on, but turns off in about 5 seconds. I am not sure why. Any ideas?

Could it be related to the fact that holding a seat cooling/heating button down for three seconds cancels its operation? Just guessing.

 

[lobsenza]

Could it be related to the fact that holding a seat cooling/heating button down for three seconds cancels its operation? Just guessing.

I did not know that. I bet that is the problem.

Now all I need to do is to get the relay to hold the button for a shorter time.

 

[lobsenza]

I just tried it, that solved the problem.

I did also have to add a small resister / capacitor circuit to eliminate noise on the line.

 

[burtinboy]

I just tried it, that solved the problem.

I did also have to add a small resister / capacitor circuit to eliminate noise on the line.

Is this an easy install? This is a big gripe now that it's getting cold again. I assume it remembers last setting?
Lastly.... Instructions? Thanks!

 

[lobsenza]

I would consider it medium complexity if you are handy with a soldering iron, shrink wrap, etc with my instructions. Figuring out how to do it was the hardest part. It involves disassembling the console, cutting into the 3 wires onto the heating/cooling switch, and a keyed power source and ground.

 

[Program1]

I am fairly sure the seat air is cooled. After a short while my seat-back is far cooler than ambient cabin air.

I've noticed this too. Same for heating. Especially my lower back. Do you think it's just a manifestation of the fact that air and heat can circulate easier on your back than under your rear?

 

[harwax]

I live in NY and cold weather has set in. The drivers seat does not get as warm as the front passenger seat. Is this normal? I have 2015 Genny with the tech package.

 

[jsmit86]

I live in NY and cold weather has set in. The drivers seat does not get as warm as the front passenger seat. Is this normal? I have 2015 Genny with the tech package.

Mine are roughly equal. Have it checked out. Your dealer should be able to report the actual temp on both.