1994 850 Seat swap gone bad

motovolvo · Post by **motovolvo** » 24 May 2014, 17:33

Hello,

My leather was badly cracking so I pulled a less cracked leather seat from a junk yard. 2 of the 3 seat directions adjust fine. The front and back to do not work however. When I put the seat in, it initially worked briefly (both forward and backward). Now all I get it a clicking when I try. There is plenty of track left to go forward and backward, nothing is blocking the seat from moving forward or backward either. The seat did come from a slightly newer car but I can't see that being an issue. I'm out of ideas. Thanks.

Post by **dosbricks** » 24 May 2014, 18:44

The clicking noise doesn't sound good. Any possibility one track could be binding enough to put it out of alignment with the other? Did you tighten the rear bolts first (lift the rear of the seat slightly as you tighten)? You might try loosening all the bolts to confirm there is no binding. Also might try putting down a lot of newspaper and spray the tracks with some white grease. If that doesn't do it, as a long shot, you might try swapping out the controls (possible low voltage due to corrosion)? Worst case, you can remove the good leather from the new seat and put it on the original one. I did that to our 850.

And BTW, welcome to the forum!

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 24 May 2014, 19:03

Try a known good switch.

difflock54 · Post by **difflock54** » 24 May 2014, 19:11

Check the operating switch as stated above.
Also, is it possible to swap over the forward/backward electric motor units betwen the 2 relevant seats?
The clicking could be a stripped or badly worn drive gear not engaging inside the salvaged seats motor unit.

Post by **E Showell** » 26 May 2014, 07:00

I've got some extra seat motors from a V70 I'd be willing to part with if they turn out to be the problem. PM if interested.

Post by **osman** » 26 May 2014, 11:18

It usually the switch that goes bad and the front to back is the first function to go, these motors nearly NEVER fail. Try pressing the front/back switch inward when trying to move it and be patient, sometimes it will take a few seconds then start moving. Sometimes the plastic sheathing around the seat motor cables needs to be shortened but this problem occurs in the 960's much more than the 850's/ The seat control panel can be easily removed from another seat and voila.

Post by **E Showell** » 26 May 2014, 14:36

Yeah I'd be surprised as well if it were the motors.

motovolvo · Post by **motovolvo** » 07 Jun 2014, 17:00

Thank you everyone...I tried some of the suggestions. I made sure the bolts were not tweaking the rails and causing a bind, but that was not it. I made sure nothing was rubbing, yet again, and nothing was. I then tried to move the seat to one of the stored position in the memory and I was surprised to see it move both forward and backward when all along it seemed stuck in place, at least while trying to use the switch. I then remembered that I still had my old control switch (from the old seat) and I put it in, next think I know I am moving all over the place. There is still some vibration when I move the seat front to back, but it moves without any serious hesitation. I'm gonna call it good from here, thanks guys.