760 GLE heated leather seat not working :(

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.

Reply to
Myron Samila REMOVE NO SPAM
Loading thread data ...

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.

the seat yet. Is

function doesn't work.

the side of the

Reply to
Artful Dodger

the seat yet. Is

function doesn't work.

the side of the

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.

Reply to
James Sweet

seat yet. Is

doesn't work.

side of the

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.

Reply to
Mike F

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.

Reply to
Myron Samila REMOVE NO SPAM

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.

Reply to
James Sweet

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)

"Myron Samila REMOVE NO SPAM" wrote in message news:cK7sb.2241$ snipped-for-privacy@news20.bellglobal.com...

the seat yet. Is

function doesn't work.

the side of the

Reply to
William Liao

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.