Were the seats in these cars built with the heating mechanisms/wiring and installed, but sans switch at the console so that all the dealer'd have to do was install a switch to add an expensive option?

Thanks,

Chris
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In the Country of the Blind, the One-Eyed Man is King

The wiring is in place both at the console and under the seats. Heating elements would need to be installed as well as the switches.

I ran through this myself about a year ago when I replaced my worn-out leather seats with a set of new ones that had heaters in them. All I had to do was get swtiches and make the connections then everything worked just right.

Hope this helps
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'95 854GLT 183k miles

Where did you get the replacement seats? And if you don't mind my asking, how much did they cost?

thanks...

I found a set of decent leather seats at a salvage yard. Of course, it's hit-or-miss if some place near you has some. Check out www.car-part.com to do a search. It's been helpful in the past.

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'95 854GLT 183k miles

I know you didn't ask me, but I get parts for our current two Volvos at Jim Long Imports in Hillsboro, Tennessee, which is near the main gate at Arnold Air Force & Development Center. Jim has, literally, hundreds of wrecked Volvos on his property from the very recent to the very old, some with excellent interior parts. The number there is 931-596-2217 - no websales. Dunno whether or not they ship.

Regards,

C.
--
In the Country of the Blind, the One-Eyed Man is King

thanks much!

I don't have a definitive answer. But my rears seats, which did not come heated, do have the wiring that leads up near to the seats... still need the plug-in heating elements placed into the seats (and switches). So, I presume you have the wiring to the seats, but still need the heating elements and switches installed. It would not be difficult to trace the wires to be sure.
Might be difficult adding the heating element into the installed seats. But certainly others have replaced the broken elements in the seats so it can be done.
Check the archives? Let us know what you come up with.

Don

Had a day off yesterday and went by the mech's to visit the '97 5-spd 850 base model car they're rebuilding/repairing.

I asked whether the seats ship from the factory with heating elements pre-installed and was told that they do not. Bummer, but the velour upholstered seats probably wouldn't conduct the heat particularly well, anyway. Or maybe they won't feel as cold upon the first application of clothed buttocks during the Tennessee winters.

The vehicle was on a rack so I got to crawl around under it - not a leak, slight seepage around the drain plug, frame straight and the exhaust system looked new, never seen a cleaner engine from underneath. This car appeared to have some very stout front and rear swaybars.

Hopefully will be able to get the completed car in early April.

Yeah, I'm just a little fixated on this car.
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In the Country of the Blind, the One-Eyed Man is King