Other than calling a Volvo dealer, are there any online sources for a replacement heated seat pad for a 850? Did the tests with a multimeter, I think the drivers heated seat bottom is shot. Leather seats. Thanks! Dave

 

have you done the recall yet?

 

I have repaired the driver and passenger seat heater pads on three of my 850's. You dont have to replace them.

I believe the recall is for 96-97 only.

 

You are right sir... Just looked it up

 

But ... if you want to or need to replace them Dorman makes a replacement that any parts store could sell you or you can google it as there are a number of replacement companies that make replacement / new install kits. Some can even be trimmed to fit.

Dorman on Amazon
Amazon.com: Dorman 628-040 Universal Seat Heater Kit: Automotive

http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-641-101.../dp/B001KQF6GG

HeatedSeatKits.com - The Future is Warm

 

Boxpin- original poster here. Yes I heard about the recall, car is a 95 so I didnt persue it. I certainly would rather repair it than replace-probably way cheaper. Seat back heats up. I've read some posts on taking the seat apart, but never seen anything on repairing the heating element. How do you do it? Dave

 

Here are a couple of links:
http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...php?f=1&t=9192

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...hp?f=1&t=24633

Not sure what BoxPin did to fix his.

 

Dave,

Surprised to hear the back heats up since the bottom and back pads are in series which means if one goes the whole system stops.

To fix mine I metered each pad to find the culprit. Every one of them was the bottom pad.
Pulled the seat out of the car
Got two pairs of pliers and began bending/removing the clips.
Once the pad was exposed it was pretty obvious where the breaks were since they had heated up and burnt the area.
I used a barrel connector to connect them back together. You cant solder them. The wire is layed in there back and forth so there is plenty to get ahold of to repair it. Then, tucked it back in away from the burnt hole. I also put a pad over the spot to stop the skin bar that caused the wear/break to happen.
Put it back together with the clips, some people use zip ties for ease.

 

boxpin- well I think the back heats up, but my commute is only 6 miles each way. Going on a road trip saturday, I'll see (feel) then what is heating and what is not. According to a metering procedure I saw on another write up, my seat bottom is burned out, but seat back is ok. Maybe when I repair the bottom I'll really get some heat from both. My old 245 had the heaters- loved them, left them on all winter (upstate NY). My 95 has the seat airbag, do I need to do something besides unhook the battery to prevent premature- uh, well, you know....? Dave

 

If you look under the cover where the airbag sensor is located there should be a red plastic tool that you slip inbetween the strike plate and the sensor. There should be one on each side (driver/passenger seats)

 

Look over those links I posted. I'm sure Lee mentioned what is wrong if the back heats up and the bottom doesn't. You should feel the heat within 2 miles, they heat up pretty quick. I usually have to turn mine off before they start to cycle, to hot for me.

 

Its also very common for the wires to break off at the thermostat. Check that too.

 

I read that the wires there come loose, didn't know they break off there as well.

 

Drove it at lunch about 30 miles, the back feels like it kinda gets warm, but not real obvious. I'm gonna disable the car and do a PCV job next weekend, commute in my 45 yr old MG. maybe I'll take the drivers seat out at the same time, give her a look from down under. Dave

 

[quote=boxpin;292992]Surprised to hear the back heats up since the bottom and back pads are in series which means if one goes the whole system stops.

The Original Volvo unit might be different but on the replacements it looks like they do have two separate power leads which would allow the back or bottom to work if the other was damaged.