Replacing/Removing Window Switches

[zlarmer]

Hi everyone.

I'm new to the site and very excited to start learning everything I can about my 1989 Volvo 740 and of course, sharing all my findings. I recently bought the car and it has a good many quirks that I am attempting to fix by myself. One of these quirks is the way the windows operate. From the driver's control panel of switches we get this:

Front left window: Up and Down all the time
Front right window: Up and Down never
Rear left window: Down all the time, Up on a rare occasion
Rear right window: Down all the time, Up on a rare occasion

I thought I'd start by checking the switches to see if the receivers/transmitters (I know nothing about terminology and jargon as it pertains to cars) are at all gunked up, perhaps only allowing the two pieces of metal to touch sometimes and not others.

Now, if you haven't figured it out, I'm a complete beginner. I've never worked on a single car. However, I'd really like to learn and I catch on pretty quickly. At least, I think. I guess we'll find out.

I decided to begin by investigating the rear left window. While attempting to remove the switch... I hit a dead end of sorts. This is as far as I got... Could someone please assist me in figuring out how to continue? Even if it's not the switches I assume it would be helpful to know how to remove them for any further issues down the line.

Thanks everyone!

[dmg4]

Sounds like all the switches are working, so I think you are barking up the wrong tree. I'd start by removing each door panel, starting with the rear, and clean and lubricating the linkages and mechanisms. It may be nothing more than old dried grease that is overloading the motors on the rise of the windows. CRC556 or WD40 and an old toothbrush and rag will clean up goo. Then lube with aerosol lithium grease. Do one rear door first and see if there is an instant improvement. If so, do them all one at a time.

Leave the wires connected to the switches. You don't need to disconnect them to remove the door panel. The entire assembly will feed back through the port in the door handle if you remove the arm rest (remove retaining screws, pivot rear of armrest upwards and pull gently outward on forward portion).