96 850 2.4: Driver's window doesn't budge

vtguy84 · Post by **vtguy84** » 17 Sep 2012, 19:44

So I read up on a way to pull up the window switch box in the center. I removed the top two plugs and sprayed them with contact cleaner. It's only the Driver's window that doesn't work, but those plugs I removed...are any of those plugs I removed for the driver window or is it just for the side windows. Do I need to replace the whole window switch box or is there something else I should be looking at? I doubt it's the motor as the switch just clicks when it's pressed and the window doesn't budge at all.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 17 Sep 2012, 20:11

I spray the contact cleaner in from the top and then exercise the switch. It helps to have an extension tube to better aim the spray into the crevices under the switch rather than all over the top of the switch.

It is normally less of an issue with the contacts on the connector than it is with the contacts in the switch itself. The switch was strategically place where it would get bathed in soda pop or coffee on every spill.

...Lee

vtguy84 · Post by **vtguy84** » 25 Sep 2012, 09:53

I took your advice and got contact cleaner from Radio Shack and applied it. No luck. Any other ideas?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 25 Sep 2012, 11:47

At this point you need to fire up your trusty DVM and start tracing the circuit path. Some easy to read schematics are in the factory service manual that we host on the site. I have a problem with the left rear window on the XC and it turned out to be a bad motor in the window. While most of the window problems are with the switch that is not the only place where you can have problems.

The schematics are here:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/downlo ... vo_850.zip

Once you unzip the file see the document named System Wiring Diagrams for the schematics. On the wire colors called out in the schematics SB is black and B is blue.

If you need a switch let me know, I think I have a couple of them laying around.

...Lee

quahog pearl · Post by **quahog pearl** » 25 Sep 2012, 12:15

A shade tree mechanic's trick is to leave the driver's door open, watching the dome light dim ever so slightly as you press the button to "close" the other closed windows for a moment. Can you see it? (it can be faint) If so, try the inoperable window. Same type of dimming (or more)? Probably window motor as it is drawing a load. No change? probably the switch

Beiner · Post by **Beiner** » 26 Sep 2012, 08:34

My XC switch contacts were so bad that no amount of cleaning would fix it. I had to replace the switch. I know it's not the same switch as you 850 but I just had to bite the bullet and get a new switch.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 26 Sep 2012, 13:20

You can crack open the switch and clean it, if you really want to get down 'n dirty!

Post by **cmblackburn** » 26 Sep 2012, 13:54

vjaneczko wrote:You can crack open the switch and clean it, if you really want to get down 'n dirty!

It could be the motor itself IMO... I had to replace the brushes in my driver's side door because they were worn down to about [ ] size. Then again, my car has 220,000 miles and the driver's window gets used a lot as there's no A/C.
The motor sometimes wouldn't work unless I helped it along.
If you're good with motors, you can remove the whole motor from the scissor assembly and take a look. It has 4 screws (I think) securing it to the scissor mechanism, but if you do this it will pop apart and the brushes will be sticking out so you have to know what you're doing to put it back together.
I should've taken pictures.
Another thing you could do is just see if there's any power going to the connector with a voltmeter!