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Drivers door power window switch repair

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

This topic is in the MVS Volvo Repair Database » V70 Drivers Door Power Window Switch Repair
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medic225
Posts: 2
Joined: 2 April 2010
Year and Model: 2000 V70
Location: Alabama
Been thanked: 1 time

Volvo Repair Database Drivers door power window switch repair

Post by medic225 »

I was having problems with the power window switch not working on my 2000 V70. Most windows worked fine except one that would not roll up using the driver door switch. That window worked fine using the switch on its door. I was able to take it apart, clean and reassemble the driver door switch and now it works.

Here is what I did:

First remove the switch from the door. Insert a small flat blade screw driver between switch and door panel and pry up gently and the switch will pop free of the door. You may notice in the pictures that I removed the door panel from my door but that is not necessary to do this repair.
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Then remove the 3 electrical connections from the bottom of switch by depressing release tabs on side of connectors and pull out connector.
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Now take the switch to a clean work area then using a small flat screwdriver pry off the grey trim piece from the top of the switch. There are 3 tabs on each side and one tab on each end.
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Optional: give the trim piece a good cleaning with soap and water

Set aside the trim piece and now lets open the switch assembly. It has 3 tabs on each side and one on each end. I used a thin knife blade to release each tab and then inserted a toothpick into the tab to keep it from re-locking while I worked on the next tab.
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Here it is opened up. You can give the top piece a wash with soap and water is you wish. Don't use water on the bottom piece.
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The brass spring fingers are the contacts for the window switch. This is what we need to clean. I used a toothpick wet with some electrical contact cleaner to clean at the contact point of each brass finger. Do not bend the brass fingers just lift them enough to get your toothpick under them. Don't go after the contacts with sandpaper or you will be buying a new switch soon.
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Here is what was under mine.
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Now I brushed off the inside of the switch assembly with a dry soft toothbrush
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Now time to reassemble the switch. Turn the contact assembly and the plastic switches upside down during reassembly. This allows the plastic switches to hang down during reassembly and they will slip into the proper position when the parts are pressed together. When all the switches are lined up then just a little pressure will re-engage the tabs. Test the switches for normal movement. If the switches wont move then take it back apart and try again.
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Now you can put the grey trim piece back on and go back to the car. Reconnect the electrical plugs and test each window.

I hope this fixes your problem like it did mine.

mikealder
Posts: 817
Joined: 25 October 2009
Year and Model: V70 2000
Location: Blackpool
Been thanked: 13 times

Post by mikealder »

Excellent write up, nice and easy to follow I guess this will be getting plenty of views due to the number of times I have seen cars with faulty door switches often due to water ingress when the rain water on the roof slides off and straight in to the door switches if you have the drivers window open even just a slight gap is enough to soak the switches! - Mike

bobice
Posts: 163
Joined: 15 November 2009
Year and Model: XC70 1999
Location: MD

Post by bobice »

That's good write-up, I used contact cleaner, WD40 instead of brush.

jblackburn
MVS Moderator
Posts: 14043
Joined: 8 June 2008
Year and Model: 1998 S70 T5
Location: Alexandria, VA
Has thanked: 9 times
Been thanked: 19 times

Post by jblackburn »

Excellent! We will add this into the repair database for future help to other members.

Thank you! :)
'98 S70 T5
2016 Chevy Cruze Premier


A learning experience is one of those things that says, "You know that thing you just did? Don't do that."

mercuic: Long live the tractor motor!

janajoy
Posts: 1
Joined: 26 April 2011
Year and Model: 2001 volvo v70
Location: Florida USA

Post by janajoy »

medic225 wrote:I was having problems with the power window switch not working on my 2000 V70. Most windows worked fine except one that would not roll up using the driver door switch. That window worked fine using the switch on its door. I was able to take it apart, clean and reassemble the driver door switch and now it works.

Here is what I did:

First remove the switch from the door. Insert a small flat blade screw driver between switch and door panel and pry up gently and the switch will pop free of the door. You may notice in the pictures that I removed the door panel from my door but that is not necessary to do this repair.
photo (3).JPG
Then remove the 3 electrical connections from the bottom of switch by depressing release tabs on side of connectors and pull out connector.

photo 5.JPG
photo (6).JPG
This is pretty amazing. I just did it earlier and fortunately did it correctly. Simple and easy to follow procedures like this is a great help for people like me. keep it up!

Nscozzaro
Posts: 1
Joined: 13 July 2011
Year and Model: V70
Location: Columbus

Post by Nscozzaro »

Thank you so much for this post. When I bought my v70 one of the selling points to get the car for less money was this switch issue. I followed your instructions step by step and now all switches work perfectly. You saved me 1000 bucks!

danschr11
Posts: 1
Joined: 19 September 2011
Year and Model: 2001 v-70
Location: Providence RI

Post by danschr11 »

Just fixed my window during my lunch hour. Thank you very much ,you saved me $500

User avatar
gilhuly
Posts: 295
Joined: 18 September 2009
Year and Model: 98 V70 GLT
Location: Fairfield, CT

Post by gilhuly »

I find that most of these power window issues where there is no motion or grinding or binding are very fixable if you can carefully disassemble the switch and look around and clean up contacts. This is true for virtually all cars. Its not like its a digital circuit or anything. Simple contact circuit with polarity alternating for up and down. Nice write up!
1998 V70 GLT, 15G swap
Fairfield, CT

figmentj13
Posts: 42
Joined: 24 January 2011
Year and Model: 2002 XC70
Location: Los Angeles, California

Post by figmentj13 »

Thank you so much!!! My window wouldn't go up and then I found this. I have cleaned all the switches in the car and now all the windows go up faster.(at least I think so)

Pro tip: you don't need to take off the top part to in picture #4 to access the electronic components in the bottom.

This part is optional. I do think it is a good idea because I had dust under mine.

YOU WILL NEED THE TOOTH PICKS!!!! Hardest part of the whole project is disassembly of the switch.(
RIP: 2000 V70 SE <- Rear end while parked. :-(

Juan62
Posts: 676
Joined: 22 March 2011
Year and Model: S70 T-5M 1998
Location: New Orleans
Been thanked: 2 times

Post by Juan62 »

Great write-up!

From the Master Switch: my drivers passenger door switch only went down, not up (unless I the actual door switch it self to raise it). Will be cleaning mine very soon. I am currently on my second Master Switch.
98 S70 T5-M Brick for life

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