Volvo 240 GLE - Electric Mirror Switches

Ravanelli

Appreciate that they can be reconditioned, but want a spare pair while I do.

Forg

I don’t know if it matters, but a 1983-spec 240GLE power-mirror joystick would look pretty dated in a 90’s 240GLE interior. Dunno if that’s what they fitted for the later ones, or if something which looks more modern.

What year’s your car, or at least the mirrors the switch(es) should match?

jamesinc

@Forg they used the same switch right to the end

@Ravanelli I wrote up a guide on rebuilding them! https://ozvolvo.org/d/13694-1979-1985-240-electric-side-mirror-teardown-guide/5

carnut222

jamesinc I think the earlier and later cars had a different switch, although it looked the same. Not sure the pin-outs are the same. Dave Barton's website also has a good write-up about them IIRC.

jamesinc

Hmm the switch in my 92 GLE sure looks identical to the '81... how early are we talking?

I'm kind of tempted to pull the 92 apart and see... Or I could just go read that article 😅

Edit: okay, I read the article. The two versions are slightly different, but for the purpose of rebuilding my guide works for both, it looks like.

carnut222

Edit: I see you had a look at Dave's page, but link here for others who may be interested.

Apparently 92-93 used a different switch functionality (although the switch looks the same). Check out Dave Barton's page: https://www.240turbo.com/240-powermirrors.html

Ravanelli

Thanks for the information. Although they can be reconditioned there will come a time when they will cease to function. I have been looking for a cheap alternative that would be easy to fit and not look too out of place. I have not found anything yet. Any suggestions?

jamesinc

Ravanelli I guess in a sense, nothing lasts forever, but having rebuilt a few of these switches, I can say after 30-40+ years, they don't obviously appear to have deteriorated, they just needed a thorough clean and new grease.

Forg

While I have no suggestions, that link above the most recent post of yours may be helpful as it's got all the wiring & hence might help find an alternative which uses the same connections. Should be able to use a multimeter to check any possible other options.

Somewhere in my searches I found someone saying that Saab and Porsche switches from late 70's to mid 80's were interchangeable. I think it was a post from the TurboBricks.com forum. They also said it like that was helpful ... whereas I reckon you've got more chance of getting your hands on them out of a Volvo. 🙂 Still, might be worth keeping an eye out for Saabs?

Forg

@jamesinc ... slight segue ... as I've not read that page of yours since you first alerted us to it ... but did you do the motors as well, and do they now sound less like a rock-crusher powered by a Holden 179? Mine seem to work fine, but boy do they sound ... grindey.

carnut222

Forg Hehe I know what you mean about the motor noise…good description!