| VOLVO 240 Power Mirror and Mirror Switch Information |
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Updated: April 12, 2024 CONTACT 
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| POWER MIRRORS INTRO It may not be well known, but there are (at least) FOUR different power side mirror versions for the 240/260 from 1975 to 1993. EARLY POWER MIRRORS The first early version shown below (Alternate 1) came along in approximately 1975. These mirror were usually found in upscale models, such as the 260 series. The second version (Alternate 2) shown below becaome the next visual styling change. This power mirror was used from approximately 1979 through the 1985 model year. This version was usually found in 240 Turbo models, some 240 GL models and 260s. MID-VERSION POWER MIRRORS The visual styling of side mirrors changed again in 1986. These mirrors were a bit larger (with larger glass also). For these mid-version mirrors (1986-91), the circuitry remained the same as earlier power mirrors and they used the same switches as the early power mirrors. Also this 1986-91 period had a part number division for the mirrors and some parts. The division for 244 models was before/after chassis number 378164. For 245 models the division was before/after chassis number 840616. This division occurred during the 1989 model year. The physical changes to these mirrors during this division are not known. LATE POWER MIRRORS The late version power mirror was offered for the 1992-93 240. The visual design of the late mirror looks the same as the 1986-91 mirror, however the circuitry and drive motor unit changed. Later style switches were also introduced and the wiring order was changed for those. Late mirrors also added heated mirror glass controlled by a relay and a dash switch. |
    Early 240 Power Mirror Exploded View above.  Harness part numbers can be found on a red tube on a wire near the switch connector. A separate harness is used for each mirror. .
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Mid-version power mirrors were divided by chassis number. 244: Division was before or after chassis number 378164 (occurred mid-1989). 245: Division was before or after chassis number 840616 (occurred mid-1989).
 
NOTE: Mid Mirrors found on 1986-91 240 used early style ROUND plugs and EARLY mirror switches PN 1235091. Late Mirrors found on 1992-93 cars used SQUARE plugs and LATE mirror switches PN 3540358.
If you're buying or assembling a LATE 240 kit, this image below will help you make sure you have it all.  |
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Since there was a serious lack of info available, I decided someone needed to find a way to disassemble these mirrors properly and publish that info. So I acquired a cheap used one which could be sacrificed for the pursuit of knowledge. Why would you ever need to disassemble one of these mirrors? Hopefully you won't ever need to, but there are a few reasons why you might. The mirror glass could become broken. The internal drive motor unit could stop working. It's replaceable. The Greenbook was not very helpful.   So here are some methods I have found for disassembly. Thank you goes to cleanflametrap for helping with this. If you have trouble getting things apart, I have posted a VIDEO (not mine) further below that may help. The mirror glass is pretty thick and will take a lot of force before it breaks (but it can break). The glass is held onto the backing plate with two sided tape, which you will probably not be able to separate while the backing plate is still attached to the mirror. So I believe it may be necessary to remove the mirror and backing plate as ONE unit FIRST. Before you do, have a look at the video further below..  Have a look at these FOUR PEGS on the back of the plate. Those pegs snap into those four holes in the mirror drive motor unit. Removing this mirror/plate is done by pulling it off. Yes, you will be pulling it until those pegs pop out.  When you pull, make sure you only pull from the TOP or BOTTOM of the mirror. Or alternately from the TOP, then BOTTOM. Keep pulling until it pops loose. CAUTION: If you pull from the LEFT or RIGHT like I did, you'll probably break the glass, like I did. It may take a LOT OF FORCE to break it free, so don't give up.   The rubber boot will be trapped or pinched under the DRIVE MOTOR UNIT around the edges. To remove the two screws holding the drive unit, flex the holes in the rubber boot so you can see those screws. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove them. Once the DRIVE MOTOR UNIT is loose, the rubber boot will come free.   At this point the inner mirror shell will simply lift out and the DRIVE MOTOR UNIT can pass through the hole. If you need to replace the DRIVE MOTOR UNIT, there's a 4-pole plug that you'll need to unplug. The plastic corner piece at the top right corner BELOW lifts out to make more room to mess with that connector.  Early Electric Mirror Disassembly VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mwi6nzMsHZ8 EARLY MIRROR ELECTRICAL STUFF I thought I would document some electrical information on this mirror. I think it'll come in handy. Here's another photo of the DRIVE MOTOR UNIT below. I flipped it over so you can see the other side. This is the side that normally faces the mirror front. I won't be taking it apart, but as you can see, there are FOUR wires. Two wires (blue and black) go to the motor inside that large bulge. Two wires (brown and white) go to a solenoid in the smaller bulge. I'll explain more below of what I've leaned about how these four wires make this thing work.  You can refer to the diagram below and follow along. Pin 1 on this mirror switch for an early 240 will always be POWER. Pin 4 for an early 240 will always GROUND. LEFT-RIGHT: When the switch joystick is pushed LEFT or RIGHT, a power and ground signal is sent to the Drive Motor Unit through Pins 3 and 5. The internal design of the switch allows for the polarity of these signals to be swapped, which allows the motor to run in forward or reverse (for left or right), depending on the direction the joystick is pushed. UP-DOWN: For the UP or DOWN function to work, there's a SOLENOID which receives a power and ground signal through Pins 6 and 2. The ground signal is a constant ground coming through the BROWN wire from Pin 2 of the switch. Pin 2 gets its ground from Pin 4, because Pins 2 and 4 are connected internally. The power signal comes through the WHITE wire from Pin 6. This power signal is activated only when the switch is pushed toward the UP or DOWN direction, because these movements connect Pin 6 to Pin 1 inside the switch, sending power to the SOLENOID. When the SOLENOID is energized by the WHITE wire (due to the joystick moving UP or DOWN), it triggers a function change in the Drive Unit mechanism, which changes the RIGHT-LEFT function to an UP-DOWN function. If you listen carefully, you can hear the audible click as the solenoid makes the change. This click can be heard in the below video. 240 EARLY AND MID MIRROR WIRING DIAGRAM For Early Mirrors to 1985 and Mid Mirrors 1986-91 
Click HERE to see testing information for early 240 mirror SWITCHES. It's Time for a VIDEO Volvo 240 Early Power Mirror Function Test The Drive Motor Unit in this Volvo mirror has one motor, which can perform two separate functions. Function 1: LEFT - RIGHT adjustment. Function 2: UP - DOWN adjustment. There is a SOLENOID inside the Drive Motor Unit, which switches between the two motor functions. You can hear the AUDIBLE CLICK of the solenoid as the function changes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?=8&v=4JaHF6SgKlk 12V DC POWER SUPPLY If your work or hobby involves testing stuff like this, a DC Variable Power Supply can be a big help. These can be be found fairly inexpensively as used items on eBay or other places. This one is an old-school analog type that is limited to 1 amp output. I think most available these days will have digital displays.   |
240 Late Power Mirrors (1992-93)
  Why would you ever need to disassemble one of these mirrors? Hopefully never. But there are a few reasons you might need to. The mirror glass could become broken. The internal electrical drive motor unit could stop working. And it's replaceable. Volvo Instructions are NOT helpful. Don't attempt to remove the mirror glass like this. IT'S BAD! You'll see why further below.  If you're familiar with this type of mirror back, you should know the LATE 240 POWER mirror is NOTHING like this. This image is what you'll find in a MANUAL mirror. This manual glass is really easy to remove. You just insert a flat screwdriver into a hole on the bottom of the mirror and rotate that white collar. That hole on the bottom is present on the late power mirror just to confuse you, but it's useless unless you have a manual mirror. Volvo decided instead their LATE POWER mirrors would be stupid and difficult.  The LATE 240 power mirror glass removal is exactly the same as this S60/V70 video. Except DON'T BELIEVE him when he says it's easy to open those clips. Also DO NOT forcibly pull the glass off like he does, you'll risk DESTROYING your DRIVE MOTOR UNIT. You'll see that carnage further below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKNQFUa6ilE The rest of that video is also pretty useful, but I'll try to reinforce your understanding with some photos of my own below. HERE ARE MY PHOTOS Yes, these photos appear a bit out of order. I have already removed these parts, but showing you the parts removed first will make it easier to see what you need to see. As you saw in the above video, the mirror glass back panel snaps onto the Drive Motor Unit. Those four LOCATING PINS (circled in RED below) insert into the four holes on the Drive Motor Unit. Those EIGHT plastic "L" CLIPS snap over the outer edge of the Drive Motor Unit. So those EIGHT clips must be released. The best method to do this is similar to how the video describes, but I found those plastic clips to be very tight and it took a great deal of force to shove a small screwdriver under them and bend them open. You will undoubtedly be concerned about bending them so much that you might break some off. My advice is DON'T BE CONCERNED about that. Bend them so they are as free from holding onto the Drive Motor Unit as you can. If you break one or two, so what? Otherwise you may be tempted to just yank the mirror off in frustration. This Drive Motor Unit is way TOO FRAGILE for that.   Click a photo to see a close-up. While you look at that image of the DRIVE MOTOR UNIT above, you can study how different it is from the early 240 power mirror Drive Unit. This later unit above has TWO MOTORS; One motor for LEFT-RIGHT and one for UP-DOWN. The early type has only ONE MOTOR. THIS DRIVE UNIT IS FRAGILE! Here it is. Here's a close-up photo below of the carnage that's waiting for you if you try to yank the mirror off. That BROKEN PART can best be described as a rack (as in rack and pinion). That rack is moved by a gear on that motor, controlling the LEFT-RIGHT movement. This break destroyed the ability for the Drive Unit to control the LEFT to RIGHT adjustment. So hopefully now you understand the importance of NOT pulling on this mirror. I'll return to showing you some photos below.  More images showing how the locating pins fit the Drive Unit and some close-ups showing those "L" clips.   Once the mirror is free, you can flip it over and see the two heater connections. Those simply pull off.  There are three screws holding the Drive Unit.  And there is a 3-pole connector on the reverse side of the Drive Unit. There are two plastic hooks retaining it, so bending those a bit will allow the removal of this plug.  LATE MIRROR ELECTRICAL STUFF Here's some electrical information on this late mirror. You can refer to the diagram below and follow along. Each mirror has a Drive Motor Unit. Each Drive Unit has two drive motors. One motor moves the mirror LEFT-RIGHT and the other motor moves it UP-DOWN. For each pair of motors there are three wires. One wire goes to the LEFT-RIGHT motor, one goes to the UP-DOWN motor, and one wire goes to the other sides of BOTH motors. NOTE: If you study this closely, you'll see that the two switches appear to be wired similarly to each other, however the POWER and GROUND inputs (Pins 1 and 4) are OPPOSITE on a late switch. For these circuits, the LEFT switch gets power through Pin 4. The RIGHT switch gets power through Pin 1. LEFT-RIGHT ACTION: When the switch joystick is pushed LEFT or RIGHT, a power and ground signal is sent to a pair of wires to one of the Drive Motors. We'll call this one the LEFT-RIGHT MOTOR. This power and ground signal goes through Pins 3 and 5 of the switch. The internal design of the switch allows for the polarity of these signals to be swapped, which allows the motor to run in forward or reverse (for left and right), depending on the direction the joystick is pushed. UP-DOWN ACTION: When the joystick is pushed UP or DOWN, a power and ground signal is sent to the UP-DOWN MOTOR through Pins 5 and 6. Again, the internal design of the switch allows for the polarity of these signals to be swapped, which allows the motor to run in forward or reverse (for up or down), depending on the direction the joystick is pushed. The internal design of the switch will only allow for one motor in the Drive Unit to be energized at a time, so the mirror moves only in one direction at a time. MIRROR GLASS HEATER: Late 240 mirrors (1992-93) are designed to be heated for use in cold weather. A switch on the dash may be triggered, which activates a relay (Volvo PN 1324675). The relay sends power to heating elements inside the mirror glass.  A diagram for the relay connector pins is included in the diagram below. 240 LATE MIRROR WIRING DIAGRAM (1992-93)  If you're buying or assembling a late kit to install in a 240, this info below will help make sure you have it all.    Click HERE to see testing information for LATE 240 mirror switches. |
I've began looking closely at 240 mirror switches, since I could find very little useful information on-line and the info I did find seemed to be conflicting and inaccurate. So this section will try to straighten out errors or misconceptions and hopefully provide something useful and accurate. BASIC SWITCH INFORMATION The switches were normally mounted in the 240 center console either on the FRONT surface or TOP surface.   MOUNTING SWITCHES IN CENTER CONSOLE Those small holes next to the larger holes play an important role. The small hole matches up to a locating pin on the switch to keep the switch pointed in the proper direction. The proper direction is shown below. The right and left switch is the same part, but they're mounted OPPOSING each other, with the connectors facing outward.  
EARLY 240 SWITCH This early mirror switch is identified in Volvo parts catalogs as PN 1235091. This switch has a dark gray colored bottom, although it will appear black in most photos. This switch has been NLA as a new part for a number of years. Parts catalogs show it's used for all 240/260 power mirrors from 1975 through 1991.  LATE 240 SWITCH This late switch is identified in Volvo parts catalogs as PN 3540358. It has a red colored bottom. It has also been NLA as a new part for a number of years. Parts catalogs show it's used in the 1992-93 240 only. This switch is externally identical to the early switch, except for a couple of differences. The first obvious difference is the red colored bottom.  EARLY versus LATE SWITCH COMPARISON Other than the gray or red colored bottom, the first clue that these switches are different comes when you look at the contacts. The early switch has 6 contact pins and the connector plug uses 6 wires. The late switch only has 5 contact pins and the connector uses only 5 wires. The connector housing is the same for both switches, however the wiring order is not the same. 
 My opinion is these are ABSOLUTELY NOT interchangeable. The wire color stickers shown above are identical on both switches, although the colors don't actually match all actual wire colors. There are some people who claim these switches are interchangeable, but after you see the info below, I think you'll disagree (like I do). If you can provide any input to the contrary, please email. I have placed a side-by-side internal switch function diagram at the bottom of this section. CONTINUITY TESTS First I tested EARLY 240 switch continuity. The below continuity tests were done to see what connects in the 6 pins at various toggle positions. If you test a switch and get different results, it might need some internal cleaning.
Early 240 Switch Continuity
EARLY SWITCH FAULT TRACING The wire order will be the same for a left or right switch in a 240 up to 1991. Pin 1 will always be POWER input for both right and left side. Pin 4 will always be GROUND input. You can use this table below to test for power and ground supply of pins 3, 5 and 6 at the switch or from the switch to the mirror. Wire colors below are those found at the switch connector for a 240 up to 1991. Early mirror wiring diagram can be found HERE.
LATE 240 Switch Continuity
LATE SWITCH FAULT TRACING The wire order in the connectors will be different between the LEFT and RIGHT switch in a LATE 240. You can use this table below to test for power and ground supply of pins 3, 5 and 6 at each switch. Wire colors below are those found in a switch connector for a 1992-93 240. Late mirror wiring diagram can be found HERE.
EARLY vs. LATE 240 SWITCH FUNCTION COMPARISON Here's a side-by-side comparison of the internal functions of these two switches. If you're of the opinion that these switches are interchangeable or somehow compatible for some sort of retrofit, please contact me and help me understand. I just don't see it happening.  |
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Porsche and Saab Mirror Switches
This switch below is the exact switch (offered NEW at various places on-line) that matches the above Porsche or Saab part numbers. There is absolutely NO DIFFERENCE between a Porsche or Saab switch, except possibly for the sticker. YES! They are the SAME SWITCH.  
SAAB 900 POWER MIRROR DIAGRAM The below Saab 900 diagram uses the same switch circuits as the Early and Mid 240 power mirrors. The Saab mirrors are constructed with a Drive Motor Unit that works exactly the same as the Early or Mid Volvo. When you compare the two wiring diagrams you'll see that they're identical, except for one ground wire on each switch. This switch in a Saab does not use Pin 2 (which is a source to ground). Instead the BLACK ground wire to the SOLENOID in a Saab is grounded to the car chassis directly.  PORSCHE POWER MIRROR DIAGRAM The below Porsche wiring diagram uses the same switch circuits as the Early or Mid 240 power mirrors. These Porsche mirrors are constructed with a Drive Motor Unit with ONE MOTOR and a SOLENOID that works exactly the same as the Early-Mid Volvo and Saab. When you compare the diagrams with Volvo or Saab, you'll see that they're identical in operation, except that the Porsche uses only ONE switch. It seems that some Porsche cars had only a driver side power mirror (1978-79) and others had two power mirrors with ONE mirror switch that used a LEFT-RIGHT SELECTOR SWITCH (1978-86). SWITCH ORIENTATION If you're curious as to the orientation of this switch when it's mounted, it points the same direction as an EARLY or MID 240 LEFT SWITCH relative to its UP-DOWN and RIGHT-LEFT movements.  |
Can a different style switch be used with 240 mirrors? YES! If you have a place to put them. For those of you who want something different, I think it might be an interesting modification to move the 240 mirror switches to a better location. So how about putting them on the door, like they do on 700/900/850 models? These switches below are used in 700/900/850 models. There are TWO versions: Early and Late.
ELECTRICAL STUFF Here's some electrical information for the EARLY 700 mirror switches. PN 1347065: from Volvo 740, 760, 780 through 1991. This switch will work for all 240 EARLY or MID power mirrors (used in 240 models up to 1991). This diagram below shows the internal switch functions of the EARLY 700 switch. It's almost exactly the same as an EARLY 240 switch, except for changes in pin numbers. Power input goes through Pin 4, Ground input is through Pin 2. Outputs from switch to the mirror are Pins 1, 3 and 5.  EARLY 700 SWITCH MOUNTING POSITION AND INTERNAL CIRCUITS It matters which direction this switch is pointing when mounted. The below images show a proper mounting position for a LEFT switch. When this switch is mounted in the switch panel, the part number will be visible to the rear for both left or right.   EARLY 700 SWITCH INTERNAL CIRCUITS The below images show the internal contacts inside an EARLY 700 switch. I mapped out the circuits below help you understand where each one goes through the switch. These images show a switch in the proper mounting position for a LEFT mirror.
If using these EARLY 700 switches to control EARLY 240 (up to 1985) or MID 240 (up to 1991) power mirrors, here is the wiring information you'll need to know. This image below is an early 740 switch panel. The mirror switches for a 740 are as shown below from the factory. Both are pointing the same direction. If you have read about 240 mirror switches above, you'll know that the LEFT and RIGHT switches are mounted opposing each other. This is not how these 700 switches are originally mounted.  So there are two ways to make this work for early 240 mirrors. 1. Reverse the polarity of the RIGHT switch. This means you would make Pin 2 the Ground input and Pin 4 the Power input for the RIGHT switch. 2. Or you can keep the wiring the same and rotate the RIGHT switch 180 degrees. These switches are made to insert in ONE DIRECTION. There's a notch in the switch that fits a peg inside the well. When turning this switch around, it'll go in most of the way, but the peg will interfere. So if you plan to rotate a switch, a remedy is to cut out that peg. A sharp Exacto knife works well to shave it down.  Once the right switch is turned 180º, you can use the below diagram to see what wires originally intended for the 240 switches can now go to the 700 switches.  Here are the internal circuits below for the LEFT and RIGHT switches when done this way. Early 700 Switches used for Early 240 Mirrors (up to 1985) or Mid 240 Mirrors (up to 1991).
Your feedback is welcome: CONTACT |
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| LATE SWITCH ELECTRICAL STUFF Here's some electrical information for the LATE mirror switches. PN 3545090: Volvo 740, 760, 780, 850, 940, 960 from 1992 and later. This switch will work for all 240 LATE power mirrors (those used in 240 for 1992-93). This diagram below shows the internal switch functions of the LATE 700 switch. It's function is similar to a LATE 240 switch, except for changes in pin numbers. Factory diagrams for late 240 switches shown that the input terminals swap polarity between the left and right switch. For these switches below, the factory diagram shows the polarity to be the same left versus right. So power input should always be at Pin 2 and ground input should always be at Pin 4. Outputs to the mirror motors will then be Pins 1, 3 and 5. There is no need to turn one of these switches 180 degrees.  LATE 700/900/850 SWITCH MOUNTING POSITION AND INTERNAL CIRCUITS When this switch is mounted in the switch panel, the part number will be pointing to the rear.  
LATE 700/900/850 SWITCH INTERNAL CIRCUITS I mapped out the circuits below help you understand where each one goes through the switch.
It was modified to help make it more clear which pins connect.  Your feedback is welcome: CONTACT |
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