New addition, '97 850 wagon, base, M56

jdm1 · Post by **jdm1** » 27 Jan 2023, 06:39

I just picked up this wagon, will post pics soon. I know the 9 and 2 series but am a P80 noob! Initially doing timing belt, fluids, belts, hoses etc. etc. feel free to add any suggestions. The car needs some TLC, but compression is good, clutch is solid, AC works, and it passed our state inspection, and I wanted a manual. Two initial questions, I am removing the factory roof rails, is there a source for the trim that goes in those channels? Secondly, are all the 850 series wired for seat heaters? In other words, if I get switches and add heating elements to the seats (which I am recovering) does the main cabin harness have coonections?

Thanks,
John

Post by **matthew1** » 27 Jan 2023, 08:22

Good choice. A 97 850 is the best car anyone can buy. The trim moulding is probably NLA, but call your nearby dealer. Best bet is a salvage yard. But be warned, they fry in the sun over the years and everybody needs to replace those. Most times the paint/coating peels and leaves the aluminum (?) underneath, and owners paint or cover that with black tape. Search this forum.

JayPea44 · Post by **JayPea44** » 27 Jan 2023, 10:35

Second what Matthew said. My "new" 850r purchase has the issue where the trim has rotted/been cooked by the sun and is completely gone. I'm going to try a salvage yard or other just paint the trim.

Look forward to seeing the pics. 850 wagons are great.

WhatAmIDoing · Post by **WhatAmIDoing** » 27 Jan 2023, 11:01

Just saw a video from Robert not too long ago. He said all North America market P80s were wired for heated seats.

Nice to see multiple new P80 wagon owners in this new year. Congrats on the purchase!

Edit: I'll grab a pic of the heated seat harness since my passenger seat is still MIA.

Post by **scot850** » 27 Jan 2023, 12:31

I think this is the best spec. If you want a daily runner a base model with either manual or auto is the way to go. A whole lot simpler to work on. Great to see another P80 getting saved!

Neil.

Post by **FireFox31** » 27 Jan 2023, 23:04

Great to hear that another manual wagon is being saved!

On my 2000 V70, I am able to add heated seats to a car which doesn't have them simply by adding switches and the circuit breakers in the fuse panel. See this thread about adding heated seats, specifically the post linked for the circuit breaker location.

The extra long roof rail filler trim is probably only found at junkyards. On my 2000 V70, it can easily be removed with a flat head screwdriver. It's held on by yellow (on the roof) and grey (by the windshield) plastic clips which affix to the trim with sharp metal clips and have C connectors which hold pegs on the car. Instead of separating the trim from the clip (the metal holds firmly and might bend the trim or shatter the clip), you can simply slide the clip off the peg on the car. On the car's right side, the clips slide forward to release; the left might slide backward.

Pry up the rubber edge above the doors and find the clips. Very carefully position the flat head screwdriver behind the clip. Place some cardboard between the screwdriver and the roof to avoid scratching the body. Then with careful yet firm pressure, press the screwdriver horizontally to slide the clip off the peg on the car. It will only have to move about 1/4". You'll feel it click out of place. Repeat for each clip. My 2000 V70 had nine yellow (roof) and five white (windshield) clips.

Post by **Clemens** » 29 Jan 2023, 01:31

The extra long roof trim rails are NLA, as are the 4dr versions. Well, the left side 4dr version is still availsble. Junkyards are surely the best source, especially considering the horrendous shipping costs. A member was quoted 300 bucks to get those rails delivered.

Post by **foggydogg** » 30 Jan 2023, 08:51

jdm1 wrote: ↑27 Jan 2023, 06:39 I just picked up this wagon, will post pics soon. I know the 9 and 2 series but am a P80 noob! Initially doing timing belt, fluids, belts, hoses etc. etc. feel free to add any suggestions. The car needs some TLC, but compression is good, clutch is solid, AC works, and it passed our state inspection, and I wanted a manual. Two initial questions, I am removing the factory roof rails, is there a source for the trim that goes in those channels? Secondly, are all the 850 series wired for seat heaters? In other words, if I get switches and add heating elements to the seats (which I am recovering) does the main cabin harness have coonections?

Thanks,
John

The airbag and seat heater plugs are different as I recall. Both were present on my wagon, I'll have to look at the parts sedan when I get home.
850s are getting scarce in the big yards; firefox found a yard down your way that had some P80s, maybe at the suggestion of another Forum member, try PM'ing him.
Search the forum - or watch Robert's Y/T - and read the mileage off the cluster. If it hasn't had a the ODO failure yet, it will. Not a hateful job, just remember old plastic is fragile, and Patience is a virtue.

jdm1 · Post by **jdm1** » 06 Feb 2023, 17:55

Thanks to all. Never thought about the ODO, ordered both gears. Pics below, sorry, the blurred interior shot is courtesy of my dog! Just fixing some minor issues with door locks and such and removing a really bad window tint to keep busy until the real parts come in from IPD, FCP Euro, and Snabb. Yes, a repaint is in the near future.

Post by **scot850** » 06 Feb 2023, 18:44

Interior looks pretty good for the age and lots of potential. Sure paint could do with a refresh but as you said that will happen down the line.

Great progress to date!

Neil.