I second what Ken says. I had a regulator break at the pop rivet, and even though I was able to fix that part, what I found was that the action of using the window as it is about to break appears to kink the cable - and you are sunk.

The good news is that by replacing the regulator you will notice that the window moves up and down much faster !  If you are replacing the motor or regulator, its also a good time to replace any weatherstripping for the window while you have everything apart.

Todd
'88 WEsty

-------------- Original message --------------
From: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>

> I have the aftermarket power window regulators with motors for $185 if
> you are interested. As David has said your regulator is broken and
> there is no way to fix it that I have found. I tried and I have one
> here that looks nice but the metal cable gets kinks in it and then it is
> all over. Even if you rewind it on the spool, put a rivet in the corner
> where the plastic breaks and put it all back together it won't work
> worth a hoot. A new regulator is the way to go. I also have the stock
> regulators for $187 but they do not come with a new motor (you have to
> use your old one). The main difference between the stock regulator and
> the aftermarket one is that the stock one locates the motor in the
> bottom of the door down by your feet while the aftermarket one moves it
> up to the area right behind the speaker. I shim my regulator away from
> the speaker about an inch and it allows the stock speaker to clear no
> problem. It also seems that the aftermarket regulators work better when
> they are shimmed at like that. Not sure why they don't include spacers
> with them. The stock regulator is also different than the aftermarket
> one in that it uses a pulley/cable system while the aftermarket system
> uses a screw/jack system (similar to the stock manual window regulators.
>
> If you have any other questions you want to place an order please let me
> know.
>
> Thanks,
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>
>
> David Clarkson wrote:
> > I am working with the exact same problem(but with the drivers side) and
> > found that the white plastic piece that attaches the cable to the part
> > that lifts the glass was broken. I don't think that it is really
> > feasable to repair mine considering that the corner pieces that are
> > plastic where the cable makes a 90 deg. turn are also very worn. I am
> > debating looking for a used part which may also have some degree of
> > plastic weakness or going with the van cafe replacement that is just
> > over $187.00 plus shipping. Anyone have good used power window
> > regulators for sale? I've got mine propped up with a notched broomstick
> > as the wooden wedges force the inside sheet metal out and I don't want
> > to bend anything or damage the paint.
> >
> > David Clarkson
> > 90 Westy (253k)
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Royston, Jerry
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Sent: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:50 am
> > Subject: Power window won't stay up
> >
> > All of a sudden my power window on the passenger side won't stay up. I
> > took off the door panel and saw that the window mechanism is not
> > connected to the wire cable that goes up and down. And I can't figure
> > out how to reattach it. The motor is working fine. Any suggestions on
> > how to fix?
> >
> > Gerry
> > '87 Westy
> >