Hi all,

Just wondering the difficulty and time estimate of doing a conversion from crank windows to power windows on a 740GL. I have spare plastic door handle covers with the hole for the power window switches, so the OEM switches can be fitted. I also have a set of spare switches for all 4 doors. I can outsource the motors from a local Volvo wrecker. Parts shouldn't necessarily be the problem; its the actual labor i am wondering about. What would be the process and difficulty of such process? If i was to get my Volvo mechanic to do it, would we be looking into the 100s of $ for labor, or 1000s? I am tired of cranking the windows, to say the least.

 

I assume you realize it's not just the motors that you need to get but also the window assembly . This holds the motor and section gear assembly that attaches to the window guides. Then you would need the wiring harness as well as the door cards . All of this stuff can be removed from a wrecked donor car . I suspect it will take about 4 hours per door to retrofit. The wiring would be the challenge.

 

indeed, its a lot of wires. all 3 passenger door switches are wired to the drivers door switches, I think its 3 wires to each of the other doors, that all go to the drivers door, via a variety of chassis block connectors. See the attached wiring diagrams, which are of a 1991 but should be essentially the same as a 87.

you'll need the full window regulators from a power window car. all 4 doors are a different regulator.

there's also a power window relay that goes in the main relay panel...

Now, its possible the chassis wiring is already in place, like my 1992 740 had wiring for the optional foglamps that it didn't come with, I just had to add a relay, the fog lamps themselves, and replace the fog lamp switch with the one for both front and rear fogs (my car had the rear fog). I'd try and locate connectors A, B, E, and F, and verify that the wires shown below on the chassis side of each of these is present... if they are, then you probably just need the regulators and door harnesses that plug into each of these.,

 

Not a US version 740 I presume? Never seen a manual window 740 in the US.
Not an easy conversion...

 

Dont do it! Any attempt is futile.
too much involved Volvo life is simple... Keep it thst way my friend!

 

Its an Australian delivered 740. My previous '85 was a GLE and had powered windows and mirrors. I don't care if the mirrors are powered or not, as i only adjusted them once to suit me and never touched them again. I suppose its not a big issue if i have crank windows, but powered windows is a luxury i wouldn't mind having.