Steve 88

I have just started to notice that after 30-45 minutes of driving the window/sunroof switch panel gets very hot. It does not seem to correspond with outside temperature, a/c on or off, and is not due to direct sun (other parts of console and dash much cooler). Is this something I should worry about? If not, I can probably slip some insulation under the switches to cool down the surface.

Big Dave

Classic symptom of failed motor mounts. The engine sits lower and creates a gap above the torque tube. With your windows/sunroof open, hot air from the engine compartment gets sucked up to the center console, creating the hot switches you're describing.

touque

I agree with Dave with the 'classic symptom' bit.

However, I replaced my motor mounts last Thanksgiving (Anchor mounts) and I still get warm air... I expected it to stop (it did get somewhat better) but it hasn't completely. Any other options?

Jim bailey - 928 International

The shift lever is mounted above the central torque tube and protrudes into the cabin through a aprox. 4 inch by 6 inch hole in the top of the tunnel. There is a large foam block which sits on the tube and is supposed to be pushed up tight against the underside of the tunnel. However when the motor mounts collapse the engine drops down and the foam no longer blocks the air flow. The catalytic convertors/exhaust generate a lot of heat and that flows up under the console and heats up the switches. A quick "fix" is pushing some more foam in to seal the gaps. A better repair is probably new motor mounts to raise the engine AND central tube back up where they belong(make sure the foam block is still there).

Steve 88

Dave, my motor mounts were replaced over the winter. But the windows/sunroof sucking the hot air makes sense since I didn't notice the problem until recently (warmer weather). I have the same question as Touque, anything else I should be checking?

Big Dave

Jim: should the foam block be visibile with the center console removed?

Th Dude

Heat from the cats, like Jim said. Very typical. I bet it's worse when you have the sunroof or one of the windows open, right? That creates a vacuum in the vehicle which draws in the hot air from the center window switch console.
Check the heat shield between the cats and the passenger compartment and make sure it is in place. Also look for the foam that Jim refers to, if it gone replace it as well.
D

Steve 88

Jim, when I get under the car will it be obvious to me where the foam belongs? Do you recall a thread with some pics on this precedure? I have the WSM on cd, if that is useful. The quick fix you describe sounds simple, but I have sometimes spent hours/days trying to do the simple Thanks much for the help.

Big Dave

Does anyone have a picture of the foam? I'm curious where you should look to be able to see whether it's present and placed properly.

Th Dude

Under the vehicle. Above the cats, between the heat shield and the passenger compartment floor. Sorry I do not have a pic.
D

Big Dave

I think I found it on PET...is it #32 in this picture?

Kevin in Atlanta

yep

bcdavis

A quick fix to the foam issue, is to get a thin piece of hard closed-cell foam, and drop it in between the shifter and the tunnel. I will agree that motor mounts do not always solve the hot air issue. The hole where the shifter comes through needs to be insulated and closed off, to keep the air out of the car. You can do this from the top, from the bottom, or both... Get some silicone, get some hard foam, and some soft foam, and fill that gap! It will be quieter and cooler in the cabin...

touque

If we put a bag around the shifter bits to protec them, then how about geting some expanding foam and 'going to town' inside the tunnel???

I can't see too many reasons to get in there (the tunnel)?

chaadster

Steve & Toque,

Do both of you guys have any other hot air issues? Does your A/C blow as cold as it should? I had a leaky water valve that caused the condition you describe, but I was also getting warm air out of the center vents. Anyway, when I replaced my water valve, it stopped the hot console/switches problem.

Could have been a freakish coincidence in my case, or maybe you are getting just a bit of hot coolant in the heater core through a partially failed water valve. Sound feasible?