New Owner of '94 940 - Power Lock Woes

Pianoman702 · Post by **Pianoman702** » 06 Dec 2011, 22:13

Hey everybody on the RWD forums, I've ventured over from the FWD. My 850 Turbo was getting too costly and loves to have work done to her. As much as I loved her, she was a gold digger...and money + college student? Well that's a question I'm getting wrong on my finals coming up!

Anyway, here's a little bit about the car before I get to my questions.
1994 Volvo 940 wagon with 135,500 miles
Impeccably clean two-owner car. The second owner bought it about six years ago and only used it to take his labrador retrievers back and forth to the dog park - the back seats have been folded down the entire time!
Regularly serviced
Automatic transmission
Has cloth (which are semi-rare on a 940 from others that I've encountered) heated seats
Power driver's seat
Booster seat in the middle row
Third row
The instrument cluster shows the ambient temperature
Power windows
Power sunroof
Power...locks? (This is a good segway into the questions section)

The power locks seem to be non-exsistent. I know on the four 240's that my cousins have ('88, '90, '92, '93), they all some sort of power central locking system. In their Volvos, when I push down the drivers side lock, the rest of the locks lock. When I pull up, they unlock. The key would also lock or unlock all of the doors (at least from the driver's side door). In my 940, this is not the case - I have to go around to every door and pop up or push down the lock. The key won't even lock all of the doors!

I thought I read before that this sounds like a relay problem. Could someone elaborate on this? If it is a relay problem, is the fix as simple as taking it out and cleaning (or replacing) it?

Thanks in advance! I hope to get some good years out of this car and I know MVS will certainly help with that!

-Ryan

Post by **billofdurham** » 07 Dec 2011, 12:23

What a wise choice getting away from the 850 to the far superior 940.

That will get somebody from the FWD lobby going.

If fuse 2 is OK try the relay which is in the middle of the front row of the relay board which is located in the centre console behind the ashtray. To access it remove the ashtray and press up the section marked "electrical fuses-press" and remove the ashtray retainer. To make it easier to access the relays Mr. Volvo has put a clip at either side of the fuse/relay board. Release these and the board can be pulled into the vehicle.

Unfortunately this is the only relay of its type on the board so you cannot check it by switching it with another. Sometimes if a relay is being a little reluctant a good, hard flick with a finger can activate it.

Bill.

Pianoman702 · Post by **Pianoman702** » 07 Dec 2011, 12:34

I read that fuse 2 works power locks and the hazard warning lights. I know that my hazard lights functions properly, so would this eliminate fuse 2 as the culprit?

When I get to the fuse, I'll flick it and put it back in. You had said,

Unfortunately this is the only relay of its type on the board so you cannot check it by switching it with another.

Would I still be able to switch it with one I find at a local pick and pull?

Thanks Bill,
Ryan

Post by **billofdurham** » 07 Dec 2011, 12:42

Ryan,

If the hazards are working fuse #2 is OK.

When I get to the fuse, I'll flick it and put it back in.

Flick the relay not the fuse.

You can replace it with one from a pick and pull but make sure it is the correct one. The best way is to take the suspect one and compare numbers.

Bill.

Pianoman702 · Post by **Pianoman702** » 07 Dec 2011, 12:45

Haha oh my gosh! I did mean to say, "Flick the relay" Phew, that could've been bad for other people following this!

I was going to ask about taking it out to inspect the numbers. Will the car still function fine with the power locks relay out? I'm not too familiar with electronics and I don't want my new wagon to blow up on me!

Post by **billofdurham** » 07 Dec 2011, 12:51

If it isn't working you could say it isn't there. It is quite safe to remove that relay and drive the car.

Bill.

Pianoman702 · Post by **Pianoman702** » 07 Dec 2011, 12:57

Thanks Bill. I wasn't sure if the relay had any other function that is detrimental to it's driving. If the rain clears (It's a dreary day on this side of the Atlantic), I'll see what I can get to and keep you posted. Thanks for all your help!

-Ryan

Pianoman702 · Post by **Pianoman702** » 08 Dec 2011, 21:01

Here's an update: It was nice out today and I pulled out the power lock relay, gave it a good flick, plugged it back in, and...

Nothing.

Is the next step getting a relay from a junkyard and trying out that one? I don't really want to dear apart my door panel.

Post by **billofdurham** » 09 Dec 2011, 11:49

Try a replacement relay. The 'flick attack' sometimes works but.......

Bill.