1996 850 heated seats question

You should definitely be able to tell when the seat heater is on! I
understand what you mean about it being difficult to tell; my driver's
side seat heater doesn't work but the passenger one most definitely does.
There are elements in both the seat base and back.

Very likely the problem is with the wiring to the base of the seat, which
is brittle and commonly breaks off.

Famously unreliable in the 850, unfortunately. I was delighted to find my
850 had virtually every useful option specified, but not air conditioning!

Cheers,

AJ

 

Hi all,

My sister just bought a low kms 1996 Volvo 850 GLE from a Volvo dealer in great shape. It
has leather seats, but non powered (which I prefer actually for the long run, she'll keep
it for 10 years, and her 760 GLE seat hasn't worked for years!).

I noticed before we signed the deal that the heated seat didn't work whatsoever, or, at
least it didn't feel like much. It only has one switch setting for the heater, unlike the
760 GLE which had high and low. I can't really tell if the thing is working 100% or
not?!? The dealer says they changed the elements (which delayed us picking up the car, no
parts in stock.) (Toronto Canada)


How much heat should these put out, I believe they have a thermostat on this model of seat
to regulate the temp, it feels warm, but I can't tell if thats my own body heat reflecting
back onto the seat.

Can any 850 owner with non powered seats (or powered with one setting heat) fill me in on
the operation of theirs? This was the only thing that I really wanted the dealer to fix.

Otherwise, the 850 was such a bargain over a 2000 S70 we were looking at. It almost feels
like a better car, better quality plastics in some areas, and reminds my sister of her
beloved 760 (similar interior styling). Some of the plastic is just as cheap as the 760!!
(those door map pockets look like they'd break if you put your foot there).

Anyhow, any information would be great.

Oh, and air conditioner reliability? I'm keeping my fingers crossed, her 760 only lasted
a few years after she purchased it in 1993 (it was a 1987). The 760 GLE is now my winter
car. I drive a Bertone X1/9 (Fiat) during the summer

Cheers

 

My heated seats warm up within a few hundred yards, definitely lovely
and warm. The wiring is the main concern-it can chaff under the seat
base and break, even cause a fire. I believe there is a replacement
loom for the seat that overcomes this problem.