2009 ES350

When I turn on the seat cooler, I only feel the cool air coming out from the seat cushion not the backrest. Is this normal?

 

I think so. Note that in the "cool" setting it is just blowing ambient air (not hooked up to the air conditioning). It does help a bit if the car is hot but is not nearly as effective as the heat mode. You can set your remote to open the car windows (and moon roof if desired) so that it airs about a bit before you actually get in.

 

Yes, it's normal. No cool/heat for the back

 

Actually there are blowers in the seat backs and cushions. If you want to be sure they are working just put on a slightly damp t-shirt, get in the seat and you will feel the cooling effect.

See attached...

 

Really? Everyone else says no. Perhaps the blower for the back is for heat only??

 

No, the blower is for ambient air only. The fans aren't on for the heat. If you'll turn the seat heat or seat air on while the car engine is off you'll hear the fans for the air but not for the heat.

Both the seat back and seat bottom are supposed to blow air, or heat without blowing air. Lamikela1's idea of testing works. Use a thin or slightly damp shirt and you should be able to feel the air flow.

 

To get the greatest effect from the ventilated seats you should put the A/C mode so that the air is coming through the dash vents and the floor vents. The cold air coming from the floor level vents gets more directly into the seat ventilation system. The result is the air coming from the seat bottom and back is somewhat cooler than if you didn't do this. It's not like having air conditioned seats but it does make the ventilation cooler.

 

Dreyfus I think you are right about them only coming on during the cool mode as looking at the wiring diagram I could not see any circuit that provides heat and fan. Also there is a direct connection to both the seatback and seat cushion fans so if one is on the other has to be on as well. There is no way to make one run without the other unless the blower unit itself is bad.