leather seats

[Cypher007]

is there any safe way to remove the seat covers on volvo 850 front seats? ive got a faulty heated seat which ive tracked down to a problem with the element in the bottom part of the chair.

[sholtby]

You have exactly the same problem as I had when I bought my car. I assume you found it was the bottom element by using a multimeter? I fixed it as follows..

1. remove the seat

2. Use a pair of long nose pliers to bend open the rings/staples that attach the covers around the bottom of the seat.

3. Fold the covers upwards and this will expose where the covers are attached to the top of the seat. Again remove the rings and the cover will lift up. I think mine was still attached at the back but I could remove the heater pad OK.

4. My heater pad was all twisted up in one side of the seat and the point at which the element was broken was obvious by the burnt hole in the material which sandwiches the metal element.

5. The sensible thing to do now is to buy a new element. However I twisted the broken wires together and soldered them. Then I cut some material off the pad which was not covereing any wires and stiched a patch on both sides of the repair using what I had cut off. I ironed the pad as I said previously it was all creased/twisted up. To refit it I used a very small amount of adesive (warning flamable!)on the edges of the pad to prevent it moving. Certainly not close to an element.

My method of repair has its risks so if you procede its at your own risk.
At this time of the year its great to have the heated seats working especially with leather which is very cold. I find the chill has gone after a couple of minutes and that they are hot after 6-7 minutes.

Simon

I was under the impression that there was a recall notice out for this problem even though the cars are out of warranty.

[Pedro Fandango]

the recall is for 96- cars, my heated seats don't work but out of year for the recall (i know its the wire's off underneath, just need to make time to fix it)

What's the story behind the recall, and when & how does it apply?

[sarge]

Haven't read the details as it doesn't apply to me, but there's a long thread at the start of the 850/x70 Forum.

Sarge
'99 V70 AWD

[Cypher007]

nice one, ill try this out soon, when the weather holds long enough for me to do it. does the chair just bolt in?

[sholtby]

With my car I unbolted the seatbelt where it attaches to the seat and then I think there were about 4 bolts to undo. I cant remember exactly but it was easy enough. I think you need to be careful and find out the procedure if you have side airbags in the seat.

Simon

[Cypher007]

if i disconnect all the electrics will this disarm the side impact bag on the chair?