Power Window Master Control Switch Dead?

ronanfeely · Post by **ronanfeely** » 23 Aug 2009, 14:53

Hey Guys,

Wanted to run this past you before I shell out $90 for a new Power Window Master Control Switch for my 2000 S70.

My wife was in the car this afternoon and said she smelled burning coming from the driver's door panel. Then the windows all stopped working, as did the sunroof and the electric mirrors.

I can't see any obvious burn/melt damage to the unit. When I press the window control, the driver's window makes a clicking sound (over and over).

When I took off the unit, the other windows still wouldn't go down or up. I know in some other brands if the Master Control had gone, taking it out will allow you to run the other windows independantly. Not with this bad boy.

Somebody had a similar problem here

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... use#p87500

and replaced the Power Window Master Control Switch and all worked fine.

So, any suggestions for cheaper fixes would be good.

Ronan

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 23 Aug 2009, 15:06

You have the classic symptoms for this high failure item. There is a circuit breaker that trips the whole switch. If the window is stuck down, you may be able to wait a minute or turn the key off and back on and then get it to go back up, but don't try to lower it again until you get it fixed. Caution, if you remove the master switch, the gas filler door won't open from the other switch lower in the door.

There is a thread somewhere that describes a fix for the master window switch by building up the plastic slide with super glue. The copper contact arm rubs on the slide to control the motor and the plastic just gets a hole or groove worn into it.

I fiddled with mine for several weeks before giving up and buying a replacement. I was lucky enough to find one at a pick n pull for $25. If I'd had to pay the going price ($50-$75) for a used one, I'd probably buy a new one instead.

If you want genuine Volvo - call DW Volvo in Tennessee for the best price. You can find a new aftermarket switch for less at www.switchdoctor.net but I couldn't find anyone on MVS who had any experience with them.

You may be able to prolong the switch's life by taking it apart and cleaning the contacts but it will only be temparary fix.

Let us know what you decide to do.....

ronanfeely · Post by **ronanfeely** » 23 Aug 2009, 21:37

Thanks Calvin,

What a great informative and thoroughly helpful answer.

I'll give that rebuild tip a try later to get the windows up while i look for one. Sounds like a good plan. Unfortunately the wife is away in the car and driving across the Cascades here in Oregon. I really hope she can get that gas cap open if she needs it. Oh dear. it will be cold enough with the windows down without getting stuck somewhere with an empty tank.

R

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 23 Aug 2009, 22:24

You can manually open the gas tank flap - check the owners manual for the details on your car but on my 850 sedan you just open the passenger's side tail light cover from the trunk and there is a wire "hoop" that you pull back toward the rear of the car to release the latch. It is over along the rear quarter panel.

I think all models have a failsafe release but getting to it varies from model to model.

...Lee

ronanfeely · Post by **ronanfeely** » 26 Aug 2009, 10:04

So the new Master Control Switch arrived and ...nadda ... nothing ...

Opps ... better not tell the wife about that waste of $90 ... "sure hun, the new switch worked like a charm".

Back to checking the fuses ... which I checked before ordering ...

One more thing ... since the windows stopped working, my fan has been coming on and running ... and sounding like a jet engine ... every time I stop the car.

Any more ideas ... and i do appreciate the help.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 26 Aug 2009, 10:14

I thought there was a relay on these cars that control the power to the windows, sunroof, and fans. I could be wrong but I could have sworn I read something about it somewhere.

ronanfeely · Post by **ronanfeely** » 26 Aug 2009, 10:48

I looked at that relay and replaced it ... under a cover somewhere? I'll go get another just in case.

ronanfeely · Post by **ronanfeely** » 26 Aug 2009, 12:06

Back ... and with working windows.

When the wife was away in the car the father-in-law removed the relay. Put a new one in and hey presto ... it works.

Now, the relay I got from Napa Car Parts isn't flush with the others so I may have to go to Volvo to get a new flush one but at least I got the windows to roll up.

Thanks for every one's help.

R

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 26 Aug 2009, 12:08

ronanfeely wrote:I looked at that relay and replaced it ... under a cover somewhere? I'll go get another just in case.

At this point, you'll probably need to get a meter out and start walking through the circuit from front to back.
You'll need a set of wiring diagrams.

Power Windows - 98 S_V.pdf: (217.57 KiB) Downloaded 845 times

( You can get the whole enchilada here:
http://volvo.techno.org.pl/wiring-diagrams.html )

Here's the main relay (2/30) that the key energizes:

: Relay 2-30.jpg (20.16 KiB) Viewed 12787 times

sixvolvos · Post by **sixvolvos** » 28 Aug 2009, 11:36

My '00 S70 has the PW master switch dead.
I find some expensive replacements on an auction site.
One item is an assembly that is dead as well.
Can I use parts out of the good sections to replace my bad ones in the master switch?

Also I saw one that did not say AUTO on the master switch.
Will that one work fine in a car with auto up?
I would think that the AUTO part is not in the switch, but in the relays instead.

I need a black color unit.

Hope this is all clear.

Thanks,
Sixvolvos, who has read the thread