Window switch ...>> substitutes ?

[VisPacem]

All the Vanagon equipped with electric/power windows that I have ever seen had the switches hanging miserably ... including mine.

Today the cup is full when not only the passenger door switch kept hanging out but separated from the bezel.

Yes, I have searched and FOUND the answer via
*repair
* http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=381415&highlight=window+switchor
or
**replacement.
** http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_70/window_switch___double_switch._bezel_housing.html

Replacement is totally out of question as judging from the pictures, it would seem that the "retaining" pins WILL, as one poster put it, break just by looking at them.

The aluminum "tongue"/JB Weld though most ingenious and life saving would be my last and perhaps only option. One detail in this much appreciated post that was not obvious to me is: was the bezel "glued"/JB Welded to the switch ?

Therefore, my question will be:
Has anyone successfully, replaced that other piece of VW genius engineering with the switches from another decently thought vehicle***, at least in reference to power window switches

Year ? make ? model ? How difficult and intricate it was/could be/will be ?

Thanks
_________________
LG aka VisPacemPB, *The* party Pooper

No Regrets (Nothing to do with Vanagons)

[purplepeopleeater]

I have some early jetta switches that I was saving for when mine go south... They are flat and almost look the same (early... I mean they came out of a 97 I think)

[0to60in6min]

I don't have electric window switch on mine but looking at the pictures I think that a window switch from a 3 series BMW will fit. (I have a 96 325i)

[stevey88]

Why is replacement out of the question ? The switch is a press fit to the bezel. To remove the switch from the bezel. just unplug two plugs and the switch can be removed from the bezels. I have converted my Van to power window and do not have any problem removing the bezel. Just put a flat blade screw driver at the bottom of the bezel to get the bottom out from the door card, then gently pull down the whole assembly to clear. You can buy a replacement switch from Van cafe for less than $20 dollars if you can solder and move the pig tail of wires to the new switch. I, being a cheapskate, disassemble the switches and clean the contacts. Reassemble the switch is not easy but it can be done after a few try. I have also replaced the light bulbs in the switches using one from Radio Shack and they work well, just a little brighter than the stock ones.
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Steve

87 Westfalia full camper 4 speed

[buildyourown]

I've done both. The previous owner had rigged a broken one which I improved apon. It doesn't look great, as there is an exposed screw, but it's strong. I drilled a hole in the top of the bezel and ran a sheet metal screw into a small tab of alum. When the screw is tightened, it turns the tab to encage the door card, much like the tabs on an "old-work" electrical box. Go to Home Depot and look if you don't know what I'm talking about.

2 yrs later I broke the drivers side being an idoit. I bought a new bezel. As long as you know which side pops out when you go to remove them, there is no reason they should break. I would bet that 99% of the broken ones happened when mechanics were trying to disassemble the doors, probably to fix the power windows or locks.

I would just spend the money and get a new bezel.

[syncroluvr]

Now that she's home, I too am going through wiring. I am considering moving the window switches to the dash. I knew the passenger window switch didnt work when I bought her and after a quick look at both the driver and passenger side wiring, Im surprised anything works! Open grounds and "live" wires are easy to find in the door recesses. One thing that stands in the way of getting right at it are the holes in the door skins that will be left open. Any ideas out there? Thanks, Stefan
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1990 Syncro Westy with stump pulling 2576cc Subaru

Y2K V6 Passat

Calcandi Leviter

[madspaniard]

another option, I personally don't like it, prefer stock look, but I see its advantages

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4456&category_id=&category_parent_id=
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1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

[Tom Powell]

this works for me

Aloha
tp

[Tom Powell]

this works for me

and here's a Chinese lock for the sliding window

Aloha
tp

[0to60in6min]

I got the switch from Van Cafe but the card board is in bad shape around the switch...

so it hang there flopping around

[syncroluvr]

I was thinking along the lines of the GoWesty kit but I can make something up with some Golf/Jetta switches for much less dinero. If I do it right and replace the wiring it should last another 21 years,no? As we all know, its all the little things that will drive us mad, all I can say is, its a good thing I am not using my sanity and will have no need for it with my case of Vanagonitis
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1990 Syncro Westy with stump pulling 2576cc Subaru

Y2K V6 Passat

Calcandi Leviter

[VisPacem]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...p;start=20

end.

_________________
LG aka VisPacemPB, *The* party Pooper

No Regrets (Nothing to do with Vanagons)