760 GLE heated leather seat not working :(

[Guest]

Hi all,

My 1987 760 GLE has heated leather seats, but the heater on the driver's side (both seat
bottom and back died at different times). The fuse checks ok, the switch is good (at
least the indicators come on the switch), I haven't tested for power at the seat yet. Is
this common, and is it possible to do a repair? It would be a shame if it can't.

Another problem, somewhat annoying as well, is the power seat TILT function doesn't work.
Switch is fine, motor runs but not engaging the gears. The seat is kinda cocked in a
wierd position (one side tilted 'till recently). I think the motor sits right in the
middle of the seat back and two cables come out of it to run the gears at the side of the
seat (referring to pics I've seen). Any way to manually get it into a comfortable
position? I'd love to fix it, but, I don't think that will be easily possible.

I just wish the seat heater works , I think it might be a cold winter ahead.

 

[Artful Dodger]

I have a 740 with leather and my heated seats don't work either.
Knowing a few people with Volvo's and myself checking the electrics on my
own. I can probably say with little doubt that the heater elements in your
seats have shuffled the mortal coil.

Regarding your Tilt. Not having this on my car I would guess as your seat if
askew that the teeth have stripped on one of the cogs. I am sure some other
person will know exactly what is wrong though.

Repair on the heated seats is possible if you can upholster. You have to
remove the seat and unpick the staples from the bottom to allow access to
the element. You might wish to check power at the plug under the seat first.
Wouldn't want you to waste your time.

I myself have let my wife have the Volvo and cold seats and I got another
car. Fearing a monumental task ahead.

 

[James Sweet]

Hi all,

My 1987 760 GLE has heated leather seats, but the heater on the driver's side (both seat
bottom and back died at different times). The fuse checks ok, the switch is good (at
least the indicators come on the switch), I haven't tested for power at the seat yet. Is
this common, and is it possible to do a repair? It would be a shame if it can't.

Another problem, somewhat annoying as well, is the power seat TILT function doesn't work.
Switch is fine, motor runs but not engaging the gears. The seat is kinda cocked in a
wierd position (one side tilted 'till recently). I think the motor sits right in the
middle of the seat back and two cables come out of it to run the gears at the side of the
seat (referring to pics I've seen). Any way to manually get it into a comfortable
position? I'd love to fix it, but, I don't think that will be easily possible.

I just wish the seat heater works , I think it might be a cold winter ahead.

Just go to a junkyard and get another seat, doesn't matter if the upholstery
matches as you can easily transfer all that stuff over, all you need are the
guts. The power seats are a little tougher to find but it still shouldn't be
too hard, particularly in Ontario where there's likely plenty of rusted out
cars with decent interiors.

 

[Mike F]

Hi all,

My 1987 760 GLE has heated leather seats, but the heater on the driver's side (both seat
bottom and back died at different times). The fuse checks ok, the switch is good (at
least the indicators come on the switch), I haven't tested for power at the seat yet. Is
this common, and is it possible to do a repair? It would be a shame if it can't.

Another problem, somewhat annoying as well, is the power seat TILT function doesn't work.
Switch is fine, motor runs but not engaging the gears. The seat is kinda cocked in a
wierd position (one side tilted 'till recently). I think the motor sits right in the
middle of the seat back and two cables come out of it to run the gears at the side of the
seat (referring to pics I've seen). Any way to manually get it into a comfortable
position? I'd love to fix it, but, I don't think that will be easily possible.

I just wish the seat heater works , I think it might be a cold winter ahead.

--
Myron Samila
Toronto, ON Canada
Samila Racing
http://204.101.251.229/myronx19

Generally the heater pads burn out on those seats, although sometimes
you can get lucky, and it's a problem with the relay or the wiring under
the seat.

The outer part of the drive cables stretch, causing the inner part to
disconnect from the mechanism. You can fix (shorten) the cables by
heating the ends with a heat gun, removing the metal fitting, shortening
the sheath 4-5mm then reheating and installing the metal fitting.

 

[Guest]

Its sure hard to find rusted out 740/760s in Ontario!! My 1987 has original paint, and
only a few minor surface rust areas (near where the chrome trim meets the door window
frame, etc.). I swear, even the underside of the doors are super clean. Never been rust
proofed!!

My friend has mid 80s 740 wagon, no rust at all!! I don't believe it!! Well, my sister
donated this car to me, and its in great shape, she's buying a used S70.

Thanks for the help.

 

[James Sweet]

Its sure hard to find rusted out 740/760s in Ontario!! My 1987 has original paint, and
only a few minor surface rust areas (near where the chrome trim meets the door window
frame, etc.). I swear, even the underside of the doors are super clean. Never been rust
proofed!!

My friend has mid 80s 740 wagon, no rust at all!! I don't believe it!! Well, my sister
donated this car to me, and its in great shape, she's buying a used S70.

Thanks for the help.

Impressive, I've heard of them rusting out, however they are galvanized so
they should be quite durable. Around here nothing rusts generally so it's
hard to compare. Either way the car is old enough that there should be
plenty of them in the cheaper wrecking yards. If you have surface rust, take
care of it before it sets in and starts spreading, rust is evil, it spreads
like cancer.

 

[William Liao]

Can't help you with the heated seats, because my car doesn't have them (and
I'd rather a super-duper air-con than heated seats in this stinking hot
Australian summer!!), but I can certainly help you with the power seat
problem, because I've had the exact same problem and I fixed it.

Firstly, I think it's going to be a lot easier to work on (for both the
power seat and heated seat problem) if you remove the seat from your car.
The drive motor spins the drive cable, the drive cable moves the drive gear,
which in turn moves the backrest. The drive cable is a metal cable inside a
rubber / soft plastic tube, and it's the metal cable that spins. What's
happened to your seat is that the metal cable is no longer "plugged in" at
one end, most likely the drive gear end. They are two drive gears on the
seat, mounted on either side. They can move individually but under normal
operation they are drive by the same motor and that's how they move in sync.
If only one cable popped out, the other side can still tilt.

To fix it, first go to the backrest and remove the entire drive cable (with
the plastic tube) by disconnecting it at both motor and drive gear end.
Unscrew the metal clip that's holding down the drive cable on either end and
it will pull out easily. The whole mechanism is hidden inside the backrest
so the first time you do this it's probably easier to remove the backrest
upholstery. Then remove the two plastic covers for the tilt drive gear on
either side of the seat, and remove the metal cover on the drive gear (5
screws either side from memory). At this stage the spring will force the
seat back to the upright position. Reattach the metal drive gear covers.
Now re-install the drive cable and making sure that both ends are "plugged
in". The trickiest part here is that the metal drive cable actually slides
inside the plastic tube, so you need to firstly centre the plastic tube on
the drive cable (the plastic tube is just a little bit shorter than the
metal drive cable, so align it till the metal cable are protruding by
roughly the same amount on either ends). Then when you re-install the drive
cable, with one hand insert it into the tilt drive gear (I suggest doing the
drive gear first). With your other hand hold the other end of the cable
(plastic part), but also hold the actual metal drive cable with your thumb
to stop it from sliding out. Insert the other end into the gear motor
gently. Screw the metal clips on, and test for correct operation before you
re-install the seat.
_________________
Will
'90 Volvo 744 GLT
B230F converted to B230FB (531 Head & VX3 Cam)