Finally got the recall notice, and took the car in for the service.

Up until that point, the driver's side seat heater hadn't been working since I bought it a year ago. The wires had been disconnected, and I couldn't get it back in there. Even with relatively small hands, I couldn't feel it thru the foam opening.

Took the car to the dealer, told them to re-connect the wires, and tada~ it works! Too bad I (and my wife) didn't have it during the New England winter days.

The only question is - in 940, my buns felt like they were getting truly toasted, but in 850, it's only warm. I'm wondering if it's due to the safety issue they found, or was it always like this? It's a minor point, but I'm curious... and dreading the work in front of me. :)

Mike,

I think I remember one of the Volvo mechanic forum members, they added another thermostat to alter the heat according to the ambient temperature. I might be wrong but I think this can be the reason it might be not as hot as it's used to be)
ihsan

ihsan - it's not very cold these days, so that could explain why. When I tested it, it was just below 50F.

I never had it working in 850, so couldn't compare to anything, other than the 940 my father has. 940 seats are hot as long as it's on.

Thanks.

After I had the recall work done on my 850, the amount of heat produced decreased significantly.

This is the first I have heard of this. What is the recall notice/can I expecto one?
--
1993 854 GLT 92,000 miles

Tripsis,


93 850's did not get recalled,

my 97 heated seats got super hot,

under normal acceleration mine are just warm, but if i get the RPMs up it gets quite hot temporarily!