I just returned from Parents’ Weekend at Washington University in St. Louis where my automotively clueless son is a sophomore. We live in the northeast (CT) and he has a ’95 Volvo 850 wagon which has served him well so far. Unfortunately, his seat back now refuses to come to an upright position and he is forced to drive in a near reclining posture. Not safe, but an investigation of the situation while I was there leaves me scratching my head. All the other features work (forward and back, seat tilt), and the motor allows the back to recline MORE but won’t bring it upright; it almost seems to hit a stop at the 120 degree point and goes no further.

Is there anyone out there with a suggestion for how to approach this, or perhaps a less costly repair alternative in the St. Louis area? Thanks for helping a parent trying to solve a problem long distance.