'01 C70 Driver's power window stopped working

BigPapi · Post by **BigPapi** » 07 Mar 2012, 18:24

Hey fellow Volvo owners - I bought a 2001 C70 Convertible 6 months ago with only 62,000 miles. About 3 months ago, the Driver's side window stopped working completely. It will not move from the Driver's side switch, and "All Windows" button on the Driver's door Master switch or when the convertible top goes up or down. All the other windows work normally. I checked it at night also, and when I try the Driver's Window switch, no other lights dim on the car (was told that is a good indicator to determine if it's the switch or the window regulator at fault).

Here is what I have already done/checked:
1. tried a new Driver's side Master switch cluster - no change
2. checked all supplementary fuses, and Master Fuse #9 - all good
3. got a hold of another Window Regulator, plugged it in, and it didn't move either - with either of the 2 working Master switches
4. I tested the Master Switches again, and I know that both are sending power to the Window Regulator (as per the voltimeter - I inserted the probe into each side of the connector and it lit up each time I moved the driver's side switch
5. I had someone plug into the car's computer, and there was a Convertible Top fault code, but he mistakenly cleared it before he could capture what it was

I am at my wit's end... anything else I can check/trace that might be causing the Driver's power window to not work? Someone mentioned it could be the convertible control module? What about checking to make sure the "ground" is not at fault (how do I do that by the way?)

Very open to experts who have experienced this phenomenon before.

Thanks!

Post by **rspi** » 07 Mar 2012, 19:47

Well, I'm not an expert that has experienced the problem but maybe you can check the wires at the door hinges to make sure none has broken. Does the switch control on that door operate the other windows?

c70_lindsay · Post by **c70_lindsay** » 07 Mar 2012, 22:33

What do you mean by window regulator , I believe the whole motor/track and wire system is referred to as the window regulator. Which is not something you simply plug in . The passenger window on my C70 coupe went on me a few months ago. After testing the switch, I tried jumping the connecter that plugs into the switch. To do this you'll need to read the schematics to figure out which wires go where. Two wires will be coming from your window motor one of them needs power and one needs to be grounded for the window to move. Depending on which of these wire you power and which one you ground the window should move up or down. You can even run a wire straight from the + terminal of your battery for power and a wire to a good grounding point anywhere on the car.

If this doesn't work pull your door apart and unplug the connecter on the motor side and run a power wire and a ground wire directly to the motor inside the door.

When none of these worked on mine I had to pull my entire door apart and remove the window assembly. The glass, the rails the motor and all the cables that pull the window up or down come out in one piece.

The problem with mine was that inside the spool(attached to the motor) that all the cables wind in and out of, the cable were bound up and jammed preventing the motor from turning. I had to remove the spool and unwind the cable and wind it up again. This is a very difficult task I would make sure you have tested the electrical every way possible before doing this!
I believe I might have a few pics that could be helpful if you do have to pull apart the whole assembly. I can post them if needed. I hope for your sake they aren't. Good Luck, and Happy Wrenching!

c70_lindsay · Post by **c70_lindsay** » 07 Mar 2012, 22:37

Oh forgot one thing after you remove the window assembly if you remove the motor from the spool you can test the motor when it isn't under load. If it doesn't work that don't bother taking apart the spool.

BigPapi · Post by **BigPapi** » 08 Mar 2012, 00:30

@rspi - I will check the wires at the hinges, and yes, the Driver's Master switch controls the other three windows, and they all also move up and down when the convertible top is engaged.

@c70-lindsay - yes, when I say the window "regulator" I am referring to the entire motor/track assembly, whose electrical runs through the door into a white electrical connector. I actually "plugged in" an entire replacement regulator assembly, and tried 2 different working Master switches, and it would not make the motor move the metal wires at all.

"Jumping" the connector to test the motor is a great thought - I will certainly try that in the morning and I like the idea of using a wire connected to the (+) from the battery terminal, and a ground to the chassis. I am beginning to think this is a "ground" issue because when I touch the voltage probe to the side of the connector coming from the Master switch with the car ON and the Window Switch engaged, the indicator light on my voltage tester does light up, for EACH of the 2 wires on the connector. That should not be the case because on side needs to be the ground, and the other the "power", and then it should change when I move the Window Switch in the opposite direction.

And if jumping the connector doesn't work, I will then try to jump the motor directly. The good news is that at least the window got stuck in the UP position, and the metal wires on the regulator are all still tight.

It would cost me $300 for a replacement regulator, but the guy at my local Volvo salvage yard says he RARELY sells a regulator. 99% of the time the problem is the Driver's switch, or some other electrical problem.

Lastly, I read on another board that this could be tied to the control module for the convertible top, which is actually the "Master" control when it comes to windows in the C70's.

I will update once I try a few things. Thanks!

c70_lindsay · Post by **c70_lindsay** » 08 Mar 2012, 17:34

Ya the drivers went on my drivers side to. Thats odd that it went in the up position. I always thought it was just bad luck that windows always stop working when they're down and on the way up until an electrician explained how if a switch or motor is going to go it will be on the way up when it is under alot more load than on the way down.

BigPapi · Post by **BigPapi** » 02 Jul 2012, 10:02

Posting an update... took ,y '-1 C70 Convertible with the Driver's window stuck in the UP position (thank goodness it's stuck there) to the independent Volvo mechanic in my area. He spent 2+ hours with it, and he could not figure out how to get the power window working. On the + side, he was able to make the window go up and down manually, and was telling me the window was not "grounding" properly (i.e. current is flowing on BOTH wires). He suggested a new Window Control module, as that is the last part we have not tried (already tried new Master switch and Window Regulator).

I bought a new Convertible Top Control Module (which is the Master control for the windows) hoping this would do the trick... no cigar. Window still won't roll down.

Desperation time... taking the car to the local Volvo dealer to see if a "reset" of the system is needed, but I am doubting this is the issue. I will update when I get back from the dealer.

BigPapi · Post by **BigPapi** » 01 Mar 2013, 22:03

Updating six months later... I did end up taking it to the Volvo dealer, and they came up with the same thing... I must have a loose connection somewhere, but they would be looking at 1-5 hours to find it. Basically, it looks like both of the 2 wire circuits that go to the power drivers window remains open. As I mentioned previously, I already tried 2 other Window Switches, tried another working Regulator, and tried a working ABS Control Module.

I followed the wires through the door, and up under the steering column, and everything is in tact. However, when my street is quiet in the middle of the day, and I try the Driver's window switch, I do hear a faint "clicking" noise which sounds like it is coming from somewhere between the top of the steering wheel cover and under/behind the odometer. I am going to try and look again on Sunday, and if not, I will take it to my Volvo guy, bite the bullet, and pay for however many hours it takes to follow the circuit and find why it's open - and or rerun two new wires altogether.

Post by **jimmy57** » 02 Mar 2013, 08:07

DId they mention the window control unit? The 98-04 soft tops use a window control unit that is above the accel pedal.
It is the way the top control unit can lower and raise all 4 at one time for top up/down clearance. The window switches are signals to the WCU and do not carry the power to the motors. The window switch set on driver's door uses resistors and a single wire to WCU can signal up or down by 12V or 6V signal on a single wire to the WCU pin for that window command.

I'm confused if you replaced the CRM (conv roof module) in top of rt rear quarter panel or the WCU on the firewall above accel pedal.

xk150 · Post by **xk150** » 14 Apr 2013, 20:09

Was wondering if you ever resolved your issu?