Drivers door electric controls = total failure.

UKMike · Post by **UKMike** » 29 Mar 2010, 05:43

Hi, Iv'e read all the posts on various single issue problems with electric window controls, mirror controls, fuel cap controls etc; all very helpful and informative but has not solved my problem = all these controls failing. I've had to break the fuel cap locking tab to get fuel in. I've taken the window control unit out and inspected / cleaned it = there has been a short on the drivers window copper contact points which has partially melted it and the plastic slider underneath it. When I push the window button I can hear, slightly, some activity going on in the control unit.

When I bought this car a few months ago, the previous owner said "sometimes the window controls go on the blink - you just need to give the door panel [near the window control unit] a thump and it goes right" Understandably, this method did not work for long! Also the central locking would not lock the drivers door; the button would go down and then come up again - it won't lock physically using the key either. When I close the door I can hear, again slightly, a mechanical sound around the door latch area. Not sure if this locking issue is related or a separate problem.

All of these controls not working makes me think it's as simple as a fuse but I can't see, on the main fuse box, a single fuse that controls all these, or all of the functions listed. The fuses there are all good as well. This leads me to think there is another fuse box somewhere? For sure I'll have to replace the window control unit.

Many thanks

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 29 Mar 2010, 14:57

Nope. Not a fuse. These are not unusual points of failure.
( Think of it as a right of passage into the World of Volvo! )
Get a new window master switch and replace the door latch
mechanism and all should be well.

abeccabear · Post by **abeccabear** » 14 Sep 2010, 13:16

BEJinFbk - why would the door latch mechanism need to be replaced?

Post by **JRL** » 14 Sep 2010, 13:33

Because they go bad....(ALL the time), as does the master window switch and the power seat switches.
When the master switch goes bad it controls almost everything else, interior locking and unlocking, and the fuel switch.

There is a release behind the RR interior panel, you're not supposed to break the fuel door!!!
PLEASE READ YOUR OWNERS MANUAL

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 14 Sep 2010, 15:54

abeccabear wrote:BEJinFbk - why would the door latch mechanism need to be replaced?

Because, if the driver's door is not locking or unlocking electrically, that's what it'll take.
The door latch is a multi-function assembly that contains the latch mechanism,
the door lock motor and the "door open/closed" switch. To fix problems
with any of those things, ya gotta replace the complete, unified part.
Most all modern cars are built that way these days. Faster (cheaper) to build!

UKMike · Post by **UKMike** » 23 Aug 2011, 15:12

There is a release behind the RR interior panel, you're not supposed to break the fuel door!!!
PLEASE READ YOUR OWNERS MANUAL[/quote]

I've been a long time out of the loop. I'd read of the the release behind the interior panel - couldn't find it for the life of me. I didn't actually break the door. There's a small plastic locking tab on the inside of the door that sits in a bracket - that's what gave way to my gentle persuasion!