Sprung headrest

[JohnR2C]

Was right in the middle of a multi-car fender bender on my way into work this morning so the Genny will be spending some time in the body shop. My dealer seemed puzzled when I called and asked how to reset the headrests, since his "Genesis Specialists" weren't in yet. But once again the forum saved me, this time from a neck ache on the hour and a half commute home. Luckily no parts seem to be broken and I was able to reset both, just had to use a screwdriver to push in the tabs over the last lock.

 

[Sarahclewett]

My small fender bender, no damage done, but both front heat rests have popped up. Any advise? Thanks

 

[Gunkk]

Read the second post in this thread.

 

[hunttom]

Had an experience this weekend that I thought might add some value to this.

I hit a nasty pothole in a parking lot, was distracted and didn't see it and wham! it was a bad one but no other damage that I could see. Both headrests sprung. I was probably going less than 5 mph.

Looked it up here and found this thread. The TSB looked really promising.

Tried it and I could get it to go together but no "click" and when I would let it go it would not stay closed. No amount of force worked. Again, I could get it to close but it would not lock into position.

So I took it to the dealership. Just walked in the door with the headrests in my hand. They tried to get them closed too but couldn't. They worked on it for about 30 minutes and then said, "You are going to have to leave the car." They then explained that the latch needs to be reset and then he showed me.

The latch is towards the middle of all of the hardware in the headrest and it has two prongs, one of which is longer than the other. They were pointing straight down. The service tech said that this latch needs to be moved out so that instead of pointing down it is pointing out.

I took the headrests home and connected the terminals to a 12v battery and heard the latch "click" when power was connected to it. With the power still connected, I was then able to move the latch into the out position.

Once it was in the out position I disconnected it from the battery and tried again to close it as the TSB describes and then it locked and worked perfectly; exactly as the TSB described.

So if you are following the TSB and not getting the headrest to lock in place, try hitting the terminals with some power, releasing the latch and moving it to the out position. Then retry.

 

[easy ed]

My both headrests have been sprung. (2010 genesis) I have read the post with the TSB pictures on how to reset them, but cannot get them to reset. It appears that there are two wires that come up through the hollow left hand support rod and feed either a solenoid or a small motor which releases the spring loaded assembly when there is a rear end impact. The releasing claw which seems to be what allows the spring to explode the headrest looks like it is supposed to latch onto a heavy chrome plated Anchor rod when you compress the headrest as shown in the pictures. I cannot get the claw to re-connect to the rod that holds it because it looks like the claw is not in the correct position to connect, perhaps because of where it ended up after it was triggered. I cannot move it into the position which I think it needs to be in... has anyone else had this problem when resetting their headrest?

 

[easy ed]

I just saw the post from hunttom.... did not see it before I posted. I will try his method, it sounds like it should work. I thought of doing that but was worried that I might burn out the coil with direct application of 12V.

Thanks hunttom !

 

[hunttom]

This forum has been such a help to me. Glad to give back for once. Did it work?

 

[lucent6408d]

Hi guys,
Do you guys know where i can find a white paper or spec sheet that would indicate at what speed does a 2011 genesis sedan needs to be hit (rear ended) to have the headrest deployed?

 

[adf]

Gentlemen, It's over 8 years since the very first posting in this subject, and God is my witness, IT WORK!!!!!!!!
I was so enthusiastic, that I forgot to take pictures...

But just to emphasize what "hunttom" writes above; the system is totally mechanical, EXCEPT the latch, which with the help of a little solenoid, remains locked in the upper position, with a little fluctuation. The solenoid is electrically connected to the sensor. All the sensor does, is sending a short electric signal when it senses a hit in the rear. That solenoid drops down, releasing the latch and the very strong spring, that pushes the front of the headrest forward. That latch is the source of all evil. It has 2 positions up and down. Normally, inside the headrest, it's locked in the up position, it'll jump down on sensor signal and in many cases, will remain locked, facing
down.

I used the voltmeter's wires, stuck them at the bottom of the headrest post (where the black plastic edge is). lifted the cover in the trunk (I didn't know it has a hook to leave open!), removed the cover from the "+" on the battery and connected to the battery. you hear a "click" and WHILE POWER IS STILL CONNECTED, push the latch to the up position. No difference which polarity. That's all.

I put the headrest on the stairs with a piece of cloth, worked as per the TSB in the beginning of this thread (message #2), and when my knees weren't enough, I simply "stood" on it with my knees. 195 lbs worked!

The dealer wanted $135 to try, with a 50% chance of succeeding. Upholstery guy, wanted $60. New one, $306. Couldn't find black used...

Now I'm happy!
Thank you so much to "Dimitry", "hunttom" and "easy ed".
You guys are awesome!!!

 

[margincalldue1]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for this information! I just purchased as the 2nd owner an 09 4.6 Sedan. The driver seat is torn and looks horrible in comparison to the rest of the car. I bought a replacement seat in much better shape BUT the headrest is trashed. I need to replace my exisiting unit on the replacement seat and have been racking my brain as to how to complete this operation. This forum is a "goldmine" of information. Thank you again for this information on headrest removal!!!!! Bill D / Connecticut

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[Kent15]

I have a 2011 model. Both head set sprung but was able to get the passenger side put back. The driver side is another matter. I'm not able to remove that one. I looked for the little metal clip but its not there. Any advice?

 

[Kent15]

any recommendation on where i can purchase a driver side head rest?

 

[Gunkk]

Try a junkyard. You could probably get a "sprung" one cheap (if the yard doesn't know about the reset trick) and use the reset procedure posted on these forums.

Otherwise you can pay ~$175 elsewhere.

 

[Gunkk]

Ironically...

I used the TSB in the PDF from 2nd post after my car was in a minor (no injuries) rear-ending yesterday. Saved me some aggravation and Progressive a couple $ hundred.

 

[ghettob170]

My dealership wanted $1200 to do this, because they thought the headrests were "broken". Luckily, the other person's insurance was paying, so I had them pay ME the $1200 and I did the fix myself.

 

[CoachLRJ]

I saw the Installation sheet on this but I cannot locate the clip that is reference. I have the 2013 model. Can anyone assist?

 

[ghettob170]

I saw the Installation sheet on this but I cannot locate the clip that is reference. I have the 2013 model. Can anyone assist?

I just did it and couldn't find the clip at first either. I had to pull down the fabric surrounding the black plastic piece to even see it. From there I still needed the help of a small screw driver to pry loose the clip.

 

[Sniff]

Glad to hear you were not injured.

See attached.

Worked great. Thanks.

 

[hansolo]

I just bought a 2013 to replace my 2011 (which I loved enough to want a newer, nicer Sedan). However I believe both of my headrests are 'sprung', and while I will TRY to do all the above that I have read, I am a bit intimidated by the procedure as described. Is there anyone in this 'conversation' who has done this successfully enough to want to fix mine? I'm in Phoenix, but am NOT afraid to mail them to someone and paypal some fee if someone has done it enough and with success and wants to help a FAN out here.

 

[unhappyowner]

my headrest sprung up when my son shut the center console and they just popped out, scared him and definetely starteled me.

Yep.............. this just happened in my possessed-acting Genesis. I'm short and my head doesn't normally touch the headrest. I didn't realize until I glanced toward the passenger seat that anything was wrong! No one was even in that seat so what the heck?! Of course, then I realized that BOTH were popped out. I HATE THAT STUPID CAR and will NEVER own another Hyundai!!!!