A couple of days ago, my seat heater quit on me for the umpteenth time, in the umpteenth 240.

These things are virtually worthless. I'm tired of fixing them and fixing them again. Usually the connection between the thermoswitch and the wiring itself falls off because the plastic around it (apparently) gets soft and fails. I go in there and tighten the connection, tape it up, tie it up, whatever, and two weeks later I have to shift around in the seat to get it to heat up. I can see on the voltmeter in the 91 when it works and when it is off.

My bony 145# ass blows them out routinely. Or is it my wallet (right pocket)?

I never EVER kneel on the driver's seat, because I have found out the hard way (like 10 times) that kills them quickly.

The real question: Where can I get heaters that WORK? The ultimate would be to get heaters that get hot, and stay hot. Is that too tall an order? Where can I get something that just works? I hate being cold with a passion, and I get cold easily due to lack of proper padding :)

Do those "heaters" work???

In my case: my heat seater lights are on... but I've got to admit the seats don't feel particularly warm. What does anyone expect on a 500 to 1500 dollar car (my slightly rusty '87 245 DL)

I am in the same boat as to rear window defroster: lights on at dash but I can't seem to see it really defrosting any faster than usual.....

Really though these are "luxuries" and because Volvo's heaters really blast (at least mine) it takes no time at all to get the windows and seats warm. I am more worried about finding all the rust first before doing the incidentals.

Try a fleece blanket over the front seat, and if your car is as old as mine: 15 years and 160,000, you've probably have a worn slightly disintergrating driver's seat anyway. I am afraid to cover mine as what little heat coming from the "heater" filements wouldn't get through a seat cover anyway. Now I doubt my 'heat's working anyway so now maybe I'll cover the seat with good conscience.

It might not be worth the hassle to fix it???

Thanks for the replies on seat heaters... I might go with an aftermarket unit just to see how it works.

I just sampled an aftermarket heater unit (seat and seatback both) on a Jetta with leather, and they worked really well. So, I have a line on them. If I get one, I'll let y'all know if it works well and what it is.

Question on seat heaters.....on honey's 940SE has heated seats, and the drivers switch does not light up. is the switch bad or like this guy's..a problem much worse

Alex P

Chris,

the seat heaters are a POOR design (too fragile) and will inevitably break again. Other vehicle seats have embedded the heater grid in the foam (further below the seat cover) to eliminate the direct mechanical impact of people sitting in the seat. I finally took mine out and said to Afghanistan with it.

I then gave the car to my son who wanted more courtesy lights, so he placed the lights under the seats and wired them to the seat heater switches. Teens think its cool, and I gotta admit, it is helpful at times.

hth

db

Hey untill recently you couldn't get seat heaters on most other cars. It is still mainly limited to high end cars. If you want them really hot you might want to try retrofitting Volkswagon heaters. They get so hot I bet you could cook eggs on them, and you can dial in whatever heat you want. I have not tried this but I was thinking about it until I got my 89. Its seats get plenty hot for me. Also I think the Volkswagon ones are less reliable.

Chris --

I've fixed several of these seat heaters -- and so far, so good. I've soldered a 3-inch "pigtail" between the thermostat tabs and the resistance grid wire using ordinary stranded, flexible wire. This not only removes the tension (all those extra inches to give 'n take) but also is flexible to take the bending 'n twisting 'n stretching.

"...get something that just works...hate being cold with a passion...get cold easily due to lack of proper padding..."

How about a heated garage, and be sure to have the valet start and warm up the car 10 minutes before you leave in the morning.

That should work......... ;)