Hi brickster friends. Just bought an 850 with mechanical seats and I wanted power seats. Is the wiring there already? Will it fit? What about wiring? Can this be done? JG

Are you sure you want to switch from a simple, almost non-breakable, lighter weight reliable mechanical seat to a heavy complex replacement - for a 10+ year-old car? Consider that the power seats will also be 10+ years old.

Good point. My 6'6" frame REALLY likes the power leather seats, BUT, it is lower now on my wish list for this car. I WISH I could get the cottnpickin courtesy lights and central locking systems to work. May opt away from those seats after have hearing about the issues. ~ jg

BTW, I just thumbed through my 850 parts manual and I noticed, in the area describing the main wiring harnesses, there do not appear to be any distinctions for the manual versus electric seats.

There are distictions for type of tranmission, turbo or NA, and certain emission configurations, but not specifically for the type of seat.

It may be, however, that power seats were not an option, but rather were a configuration that only came with turbo cars. Which would explain why my NA car does not appear to be wired for electric seats.

Today I only got so far as to look at the fuse panel label and there is a slot for power seats along with some other things at #33. It is a live slot. I have not looked under the seats.

If I remember correctly, there are additional fuses and relays asociated with the electric seats under the screw-off portion of that fusebox; in the same area as the fuel relay. It is those fuses and relays that are not populated on my car.

Looked in there to day and it looks like there are a lot of relays in there, at least 5 or 6. I am going to dig around under the seat and see what I can see. The wiring may be under the carpet. ~ JG

I have a base model, manual transmission 850. I have been slowly retrofitting many original options from recent junkyard finds and I have been amazed at how many of the options are pre-wired on my car.

But if my memory serves me correctly, power seats are one of the few options (probably sunroof also) that do not appear to be well supported with pre-wiring. If I remember correctly, if you unscrew and pull of the top of the fuse/relay box in the engine compartment, there are some main fuses there, one or two of which are for the power seats. Again, if I remember correctly, on my car, which has manual seats, those main fuse receptacles were not "loaded" with connectors. In other words, the wiring to those fuse locations does not exist.

I would look at the same area on your car and make sure some of that fundamental wiring is already in-place. You could, of course, retrofit the wiring, but I think that elevates your project an order of magnitude.

Agreed, many options are pre-wired, it's amazing. Was removing the rear seat bottom yesterday and saw what I believe is wiring for rear seat heaters. And I know my center console is wired for them as well, just need two switches and a rear seat with heaters (have never seen one, have you?) and it would be all set!

I will check that. Thanks. I have gotten spoiled with the 240 fuse box being inside the cabin and more accessible for retrofits and the like. I just bought this '95 850 and while comfortable, the mechanical seats leave a bit to be desired for my 6'6" frame. My guess is no pre-wire. I will look tomorrow. jg

Hi, I've been considering the same up grade and I think I've seen what looks like an extra connector under the seat. Do you have that? Mine's a '97. I've also seen seat bases with motor(s) and the side switches for sale. It at least seems like it could be done. Let us know what you come up with.
Here's something http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/service/850/PowerSeats.pdf
don't know how much it helps.
Bill
--
'97 855na, Mobil 1, K&N, various IPD's and eBay's