ASI Resolution - Front Seat Cooling Performance Poor (Retrofit Front Seat Cooling System)

This bulletin is being revised to update the repair, part and labor code information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 04-08-50-14 (Section 08-Body and Accessories)

Some customers may comment on the poor cooling performance of the LH and/or RH front heated and cooled seat assemblies.

This condition may be due to a restriction that causes some of the warm exhaust air from the Micro Thermal Module (MTM) to remain within the seat assembly.

Important: In order to ensure customer satisfaction, the following repair should be done on both the LH and RH front seat assemblies.

To retrofit both front seat assemblies, the following materials are recommended:

1. Remove the front seat assembly from the vehicle. Refer to Seat Replacement-Front Bucket in the Seats sub-section of the Service Manual or SI document #827609.
2. On a clean flat surface, place the seat assembly upside down.
3. Disconnect the front seat back trim cover J channels.
4. Gain access to the MTM exhaust tube:




4.1.	Fold the J channel under the seat back trim cover (1).

4.2.	Use a razor blade or knife to remove the center cardboard piece from the bottom of the seat back cardboard backer.

4.3.	Carefully disassemble and flatten the existing cardboard exhaust vent (2).

5. On one end of the vinyl tube, slight bevel the inside edge. Remove all "flash"/debris.



6. Insert a ruler or similar object into the end of the MTM's exhaust tube (3) in order to widen the opening.



7. Squeeze the beveled end of the vinyl tube (4) and carefully insert it into the exhaust tube opening. Approximately one inch (25 mm) of the vinyl tube should be inside the MTM opening.

Important: Ensure the end of the vinyl tube sits over the mesh material of the trim cover.

8. Connect the front seat back trim cover J channels.

1. Detach the two Velcro™ ends of the seat adjuster stabilizer bar flap/cover from the front seat cushion trim cover.



2. Remove material from the center portion of the flap. Refer to the illustration and the following dimension information:

•	a = 1/2 inch (13 mm) Distance from stitch line to top of opening.

•	b = 1/4 inch (6 mm) Distance from fabric edge to side of opening.

•	c = 1 1/2 inch (38 mm) Distance from bottom of flap to bottom of opening.

•	d = 3 1/2 inch (89 mm) Length of opening.

•	e = 1 3/4 inch (44 mm) Width of opening.

3. Mark the cut lines on the inside of the flap.
4. Use a razor blade or similar tool and carefully cut along cut lines.
5. Ensure the cut out edges on the flap are smooth and straight.



6. Install the hook and loop (Velcro™) strips:

6.1.	Attach the same size hook and loop strips together and remove the backing paper from one side.

6.2.	On the inside of the flap, place the 4 x 3/8 inch (102 x 10 mm) hook and loop strips across the top of the flap, 1/8 inch (3 mm) from the top of the opening.

6.3.	Place the 5x 3 3/4 inch (127 x 19 mm) hook and loop strips across the bottom of the flap and under the fabric, 1/4 inch (6 mm) from the bottom of the opening.

6.4.	Remove the backing paper.




7. Carefully place the soft screen material over the Velcro™ strips.
8. Apply pressure to the screen material along the strips.
9. Tuck the outside edges of the screen material under the fabric and ensure the screen material is laying smooth and flat. It may be necessary to trim the two upper corners.



10. Fold the flap back over the seat adjuster stabilizer bar.
11. Attach the two Velcro™ ends of the seat adjuster stabilizer bar flap/cover to the front seat cushion trim cover.
12. Install the front seat assembly from the vehicle. Refer to Seat Replacement-Front Bucket in the Seats sub-section of the Service Manual or SI document #827609.
13. Repeat above procedure on the other front seat assembly.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: