Electric Seat Switch (760/740) and 1990 Stereo...

[726PAV]

I'm working my way through some minor niggles in the 780 and have an inoperative fore-aft switch on the right-hand seat, which should be the same as the control panel on the 760/740 - Does anyone have one please?

Also, the 1990 stereo is inoperative - does anyone have a c1990 Volvo single DIN headunit please?

[Laird Scooby]

Try squirting some switch cleaner round the edges of the rocker, leave it a few minutes then operate the switch back and forth enthusiastically.
Then switch the ignition on and try it - make sure the "STOP" button isn't pressed though! Also worth squirting some switch cleaner round the edges of that and doing the same. It fixed some dodgy switches on my drivers seat.

[726PAV]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Try squirting some switch cleaner round the edges of the rocker, leave it a few minutes then operate the switch back and forth enthusiastically.
Then switch the ignition on and try it - make sure the "STOP" button isn't pressed though! Also worth squirting some switch cleaner round the edges of that and doing the same. It fixed some dodgy switches on my drivers seat.

Thank you

I did try both tools in my toolbox - A hammer and tin of WD40 - But it looks like there is a mechanical fault in the main fore-aft switch - it is loose, the switch drops forward or back without any resistance.
Its not the end of the world practically, as (being the 2-door) it also has the lever on the seat back to drop it forwards, and this is also linked to the electrical system, so when you release the seat back to allow access to the rear seat, it also electrically moves the seat forward...

I may strip the main control unit on the side of the seat, but ideally I'd like a replacement at hand

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by 726PAV

Thank you

I did try both tools in my toolbox - A hammer and tin of WD40 - But it looks like there is a mechanical fault in the main fore-aft switch - it is loose, the switch drops forward or back without any resistance.
Its not the end of the world practically, as (being the 2-door) it also has the lever on the seat back to drop it forwards, and this is also linked to the electrical system, so when you release the seat back to allow access to the rear seat, it also electrically moves the seat forward...

I may strip the main control unit on the side of the seat, but ideally I'd like a replacement at hand

Unfortunately in this case, it really is "the clue is in the name". Although WD40 is good for many things, because of the location and architecture of the switch, it has the potential to actually make matters worse.

The switch is in a prime position to catch all the dust, dirt and grit going and store it in the bottom of the switch body which is where the contacts are. Adding WD40 to this mix only turns it into a sort of mud.
Switch cleaner breaks down the greasy bond between the various particles of dust, dirt and grit and the liquid of the cleaner helps wash them out of the gaps in the bottom of the switch.

From your description though, it sounds like the springs in the switch have either broken or become so gummed with detritus that they are now longer acting as springs, simply as compressed spacers. That means there will be no force acting on the contacts so they won't make the circuit.

Before you start stripping the switch, arm yourself with some switch cleaner aka contact cleaner, some emery cloth/tape and a big sheet of something white to do it on.
As long as none of the major parts of the switch are broken or missing, you should be able to restore normal operation, it's a very simple and fairly rugged switch, as far as switches go so a good clean will probably have it working again.

[726PAV]

I'll take a look - Thank you

[726PAV]

No luck with repairing the electric seat controls on the right hand side, stereo also not working correctly.

If anyone has the inverted-T style electric seat switches and/or a Volvo CR-814 Stereo, I am looking...!

Thank you