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.

There are some good Volvo shops in St. Louis, call a couple of them. If the motor makes noise when trying to move the seatback forward, then it is just a loose cable. Your son will need wire cuttters to remove the 4 hog clips at the base of the seat - unfortunately, with the seat reclined, he probably won't find them!
If the motor does not make noise, then it is the switch that is at fault, and pressing one of the memory buttons should work.
It is not hard, after the hog clips are removed, to reach up and pull the cable down a little (1/16in) and using the button, move the seat forward. Knowing that the cable makes a large loop from the motor, on the right side of the seat, to the gear on the left side of the seat (dumb design). The gear is about 6 inches up from the bottom against the inside of the frame.
We use zip ties to replace the hog clips when putting it back together.

Klaus
--
1975 164E running? 1995 854T sweet 1998 V70 R work horse

common problems on volvos and you could do a search here to find the solution. It basically involves taking the back of the seat off and accessing the mechanical cable which turns the crank to position the seat.

First see if your motor is spinning.. by sitting in the back seat of the car behind the drivers seat to the right mid side of the seat where the motor is located.

If you hear the motor then its the mechanical cable.

If you dont hear the motor then its the motor or the electrical/ electronics under the seat. Make sure none of the electrical connections are loose.

You can temporarily get the seat in the right position by removing the back cover of the seat and taking the place the cable is connected to. (the plate has two screws)

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I will try all that you suggest, or try to have my all-thumbs kid try since he has the car. I appreciate your input.

Bruce Storm

Google "Bay 13 + volvo", and enter Bay 13 web-site.
Go to the miscellaneous heading and click.
Go to "replace seat back cable" and click.
There is a two page article on how to remove the seat cover and
access the drive cable, motor, and worm gear assembly complete with
digital photo's.
Count on about 4 hours to complete the job and brush up on your profanity.

I just did this job last night and wish I could thank the author of Bay 13
personally - couldn't have done it without his site.
FYI, my cable was not broken, just needed lube on the drive motor side.
You'll need the following tools...
Cutting pliers to remove/cut 8 hog rings.
Phillips "stubby" screw driver. (for the worm gear housing)
8 mm box wrench - for the drive motor housing.
Needle nose pliers - to release the spring/clips.
8 cable ties - as replacements for the removed hog rings,
and a good light.
...and people laugh because I have a computer in my garage.
good luck,
Armie




--
Luck favours the prepared.