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klenze Samba Member
Joined: February 23, 2009 Posts: 2 Location: San Francisco, CA
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Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 2:50 pm Post subject: How do you convert Power Windows to Manual Hand Crank? |
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Anyone know how-to convert Power Windows to Manual Hand Crank operation? I have a 1990 Carat with non-functional driver side power window. I would like to go manual due to repair cost and unreliabilty of power windows. Any pointer to any online step-by-step resource would be appreciated. I’ve searched the forums and google to no avail. Thank you.
_____________________
1990 Vanagon Carat 2WD |
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 11997 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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You need the complete manual window regulator and the door panels are different too. It isn't difficult. Take off the door panel, remove the inner and outer scraper and the front window felt channel so that you can remove the window. Once the window is removed then you unbolt the regulator and remove it. The install is just the reverse.The bentley has the procedures. |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6234 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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I agree. Find a donor door and switch all the internal componants. You can use the same door panels, you'll just need to fabricate a plug to fill the holes left by the switches. That, or keep the switches and use them for something cool. _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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Captain Pike Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2003 Posts: 3327 Location: Talos IV, Piedmont Arizona
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Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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You send me your power stuff and I send you manual stuff times 2 so if you blow it you can try again. Know how to PM? _________________ If You Build It______It Will Run
1959 Panel bus, 1966 Single cab. 73' 181. 73 Westy. 91' H6 Vanagon 3.3L.
.....................All Current....................... |
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datsnice Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2009 Posts: 100 Location: Denver
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 12:19 am Post subject: |
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I have the same problem. Debating trying the repair on the plastic guides, and rewind the wheel, or just scrap it now and switch to manual! I'd love to see a description or, even better, pictures!
I'm wondering where the window crank "gears/cogs" attach to the door panel on the manual vanagons. Seems like it would be easy to put taht together and plug the holes from the power window switches.
Anyone out there care to post? Thanks! _________________ 1989 Vanagon 2WD Full Camper
EJ22 Subaru Conversion
"Greyboy" |
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lisihowell Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2009 Posts: 2 Location: San Francisco, CA
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SteelB12 Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2010 Posts: 591 Location: Central Virginia
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:40 am Post subject: |
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Going to be trying this next week once my manual regulators arrive from Gowesty _________________ 1987 Westy |
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rockfish Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2007 Posts: 740 Location: Palo Alto, Calif.
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:49 am Post subject: |
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A buddy of mine, to minimize the chances of failure, chose to make his driver's door window manual...but kept the passenger side power.
He has 1 power window switch (center) on the dash.
Best of both worlds. _________________ 89 Westy
GW 2.5 5-speed trans
"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
- John Wooden |
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syncroid Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2006 Posts: 312 Location: CA
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:40 am Post subject: Re: How do you convert Power Windows to Manual Hand Crank? |
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klenze wrote: |
Anyone know how-to convert Power Windows to Manual Hand Crank operation? I have a 1990 Carat with non-functional driver side power window. I would like to go manual due to repair cost and unreliabilty of power windows. Any pointer to any online step-by-step resource would be appreciated. I’ve searched the forums and google to no avail. Thank you.
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1990 Vanagon Carat 2WD |
Want to trade? The PO of my van did the reverse and I want the power windows back now. I'm in the East Bay (North Berkeley area). PM'd you just now..
Last edited by syncroid on Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:53 am; edited 1 time in total |
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beelzibus Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2005 Posts: 300
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:50 am Post subject: |
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In a land where maybe 1 in five hundred vans have electric windows, I'm amazed at this thread. Sure they're all getting old and some need attention now and again, but surely the spare parts situation in the US must be a thousand times better for you than us. I'd never consider getting rid of the power windows in my van. Just live with them inop until such times as I could find the required bits to fix them again. |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:02 pm Post subject: |
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beelzibus wrote: |
In a land where maybe 1 in five hundred vans have electric windows, I'm amazed at this thread. Sure they're all getting old and some need attention now and again, but surely the spare parts situation in the US must be a thousand times better for you than us. I'd never consider getting rid of the power windows in my van. Just live with them inop until such times as I could find the required bits to fix them again. |
Power window regulators are not available new.
Switches are expensive.
There are some fixes to make them work again.
But we are spoiled here as the electric windows in most, cars here, except German ones, all seem to work almost flawlessly. I am pretty sure the Germans have not figured out to make good electric windows yet. _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12102 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:11 pm Post subject: |
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I converted to manual regulators on my old '88 GL, but wish to keep PW on my current rig. Given that new PW regulators are apparently no longer available, it might be worthwhile to explore the possibility of donor vehicles of the VAG and off-brand variety. It's been a while since I looked, but I think the rear regulators on MB 124 chassis cars are very similar to Vanagons.
Part#s
1247300346
1247300846 _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
It's been a while since I looked, but I think the rear regulators on MB 124 chassis cars are very similar to Vanagons.
Part#s
1247300346
1247300846 |
Like all German electric windows those break too. I bet the same items wear and bind. There are similar mechanisms around to perhaps rob bits off of, but does not solve the root problem.
There is a Vanagon forum member who fixes them and threatened to make some repair parts of different materials to combat some of the problems, but I have yet to see the goods.
Sorry for the OT. _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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DLJ Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2008 Posts: 554 Location: North California
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 2:29 pm Post subject: power windows |
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Theres a Samaba member that rebuilds these. His work is good and not expensive. It can be done, I used to do it but now I have a supply of replacements. |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12102 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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I think it's the plastic cable guides at either end of the track that typically wear out on these, and I believe those are better engineered on the versions I mentioned _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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chazz79 Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2008 Posts: 2268 Location: ohio
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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Power windows are great! The switches and wiring are sketchy though. I think it's way easier and cheaper to fix what you got than to replace everything. 30 bucks worth of switches and some solder will fix most all of your problems. _________________ One day as a lion, or a lifetime as lamb
The green monster in bits and peices: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=332556&highlight=green+monster |
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syncroid Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2006 Posts: 312 Location: CA
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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chazz79 wrote: |
Power windows are great! The switches and wiring are sketchy though. I think it's way easier and cheaper to fix what you got than to replace everything. 30 bucks worth of switches and some solder will fix most all of your problems. |
No! Electric windows bad! Swap with me instead! |
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16CVs Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004 Posts: 4015 Location: Redwood City, California
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:24 pm Post subject: Power window regulators and stuff |
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I personally have great luck rebuilding these regulators ,but I have a cache of parts and have done about 50 of them . I have been supplying them to some local shops as exchange as well as here on Samba .
I always have Manual units available as exchange as well as rebuilt units sitting on the shelf for rebuilt exchanges so that you do not have to send me one first .
I have no secret magic ,I am using whatever spare parts are around and do the best I can with what I have . I know the weak points and address them as well as I can . I have a set in my truck that get heavy use and work flawlessly .
I have sent some corners out to be reproduced as noted earlier by another poster and need to go and check up on that guy .
I am always buying dead units ,no matter the shape . The more dead units i get the better off I am to help other Vanagon guys . _________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread. |
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SteelB12 Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2010 Posts: 591 Location: Central Virginia
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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I've removed the power window crap and installed the manual regulator. The damn driver's side works WORSE than when it was power. That stupid rubber hose that guides the cable keeps popping off and then the cable gets all pinched up and the window won't close fully. Passenger side not as bad.
What did I do wrong?? How can I get that rubber hose to stay on the regulator and how do I route it so that the cable doesn't bind? Looking at the Bentley it appears the hose goes forward and then curves up and back and is held in place by a metal tab. When I route the hose in this fashion, the cable snags and pulls the hose off of the regulator. _________________ 1987 Westy |
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Ride-Fly Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2015 Posts: 621 Location: PDX
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Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 11:57 pm Post subject: |
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SteelB12 wrote: |
Well, I've removed the power window crap and installed the manual regulator. The damn driver's side works WORSE than when it was power. That stupid rubber hose that guides the cable keeps popping off and then the cable gets all pinched up and the window won't close fully. Passenger side not as bad.
What did I do wrong?? How can I get that rubber hose to stay on the regulator and how do I route it so that the cable doesn't bind? Looking at the Bentley it appears the hose goes forward and then curves up and back and is held in place by a metal tab. When I route the hose in this fashion, the cable snags and pulls the hose off of the regulator. |
Bumpity bump bumping!!
An old thread, but did you ever get this figured out?
Also, to Stacy AKA @16CVs do you still work on power windows? I just replaced all the front window seals/scrapers and now the window motor doesn’t have enough juice to make it all the way without manual assistance! _________________ 1987 Westy, Dove Blue
1987 Wolfsburg Tintop, Vesuvius Grey no more
1977 Toyota FJ40, Freeborn Red
2018 Ford F-350 Platinum, Ruby Red Metallic
2017 Mercedes GLE350, Polar White |
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