Date:         Thu, 1 Dec 2011 09:17:05 -0800
Reply-To:     Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 90 Westfalia power locks problem
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2011113021194039@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

You're going to have to investigate this by first checking your wiring and
to do this
with any kind of intelligence you're going to have to have the wiring
diagram preferrably
with the Bentley for your year van.   Hopefully you have or can gleen from
the book enough
info. to track down the path(s) for the wires you are investigating.
Typically the offending wires
are located where the door is henged and go through to the main body of the
vehicle.   I'd
check the condition of these first both passenger and drivers side.
Replace by splicing in
replacement wiring of the appropriate gauge.   Much of this has been
written up and is in the
archives.

The other problem may be with the actuator(s) themselves.   They are fairly
easily accessible
and easy to replace.   Some folks dissassemble them and clean them up and
they work good
as new.   It depends on how "adventurous/skilled/glutton-for-punishment"
you are....  Either way
you'll need to get your hands somewhat dirty or pay someone else to fix or
screw it up some
more....

To manually open the rear lid you should be able to turn the key lock to a
horizontal position and
just push in.   That's how my 1991 works.   Not sure of earlier models.

Have fun,

Steven
91 Westy

On Wed, Nov 30, 2011 at 6:19 PM, Paul Peranteau <service@benjamins.com>wrote:

> This is my first post to the list, having enjoyed lurking for some
> time. I have learned a good deal. Thanks.
>
> Having a problem now with my 90 Westy's power locks. Seem to be very
> temperamental and waiting for me to operate them right, though I
> can't figure what right is.
> Current mode is that the drivers door doesn't open with the key
> (either key). I can force the door to unlock and open if I pull up
> the inside button with some force, get in, close the door,  and then
> it goes back to being locked again.
> Certainly it's not controlling the other locks like any other power
> locks I've ever had.
>
> Rear lid lock will not unlock at all, with the button pushed in or
> not and whether the slot is vertical or horizontal. Even a local VW
> mechanic can't get it open.
> Passenger door and sliding door are locking and unlocking quite
> normally, though certainly not powered.
>
> Is there some magic ritual (or correct order of procedure) to correct
> this and either get them merrily powering away again or, at least,
> getting them all to open manually?
>
> Paul
>