Hello All,

I have a 1996 850 GLT wagon (5 speed manual) with nearly 400,000 miles. I purchased it new. About a year ago, the button in the master console switch that operates the driver’s side window started to “bind” or “jam”. What I mean, is you pushed down the button to raise the window and the button did not work. You would hear a “click” and would have to push the button a second time to get the window to rise. As the condition worsened, you would have to push the button several times, because the window would stop, and sometimes start to re-track down. The first time this happened, I just replaced the master console switch and everything was fine. But again over time only the switch that operated the driver’s side window would start to fail again in the same manner. I replaced the console master console switch 3 times over the course of a year. Each time the pattern was the same in terms of failure. Initially the driver’s side button worked fine, but then it would begin to fail by not raising the widow. It would start out intermittently, but become more consistent over time. The problem is always with the button that controls the driver’s door window. The problem never occurs when you are lowering the driver’s side window, only when you are raising it. None of the other buttons for the other windows fail. After replacing the master switch a third time going on the fourth unit, my mechanic checked to make sure the electric motor that raises the window in driver’s door was working properly, it was and he also swapped out the relay unit/switch (It is located in the center console) that the master console switch plugs into with relay unit/switch from my other 1996 850 GLT wagon that does not have a problem with the master console switch. Yet still the problem with the button that raises the
driver’s side window persisted. I am relegated to using only used relay units/switches because Volvo no longer sells them and they are not available from other after market sources. Though, I don’t think the problem is due to relay unit/switch because the problem persisted when I used the relay from my other 1996 850 wagon that was no experiencing any problems.

Does any one have any idea why I am going through so many master console switches? Fortunately all the master console switches I have replaced have been under warranty, so I have only paid for one. Yet, this is not a practical solution to continue and I realize I may find myself stuck with the window in the down position in the middle of a rain storm.

I would appreciate any suggestions or recommendations because this problem has persisted for so long. Thanks to all in advance.

Hugh