re
 have to say, trying to get the shifter lined up has been one of the most
> > frustrating jobs I've done on my Vanagon.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Mcneely" <mcneely4@COX.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010 1:29 PM
Subject: Re: Vanagon Woes

Never have had broken wires leading to the door.  Of course, the only thing
electrical in my door is the mirrors.

---- Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> " Is there anyone on the list who doesn't have broken wires in the harness
> connecting the doors with the body?"
>
> Not me, I fixed 'em a couple of weeks ago. Finally.
>
> Stephen
>
>
> --- On Fri, 5/21/10, Arkady Mirvis <arkadymirvis@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
>
> From: Arkady Mirvis <arkadymirvis@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Vanagon Woes
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Friday, May 21, 2010, 12:59 AM
>
>
> One has to look at Vanagon from under to understand why Germans lost the
> WW
> II. Nothing made in Germany is simple. When I do maintenance and even
> minor
> repair on my 1991 diesel Jetta and 1987 Westy my frustrations are
> expressed
> in words one can hear a mile away during the hottest hours of portuguese
> day. Access to practically everything is limited at least. By now my
> Westy,
> while looking new outside has every boot everywhere rotted, falling apart,
> including the shifter ball boot. Both rear door grommets are gone.
> Germans must learn how to chrome plate plastics. I am positive that
> everybody, except living in a rain forest, noticed how wood inside Westy
> has
> shrunk, got out of flatnest. Look at wood furniture plastic trim. It
> srunked, got out of the securing groove. Is that a heralded GERMAN
> ENGINEERING? In just the first year I wrote to VW AG a letter listing 18
> defects. ( both window motors failed, AC lost freon and compressor failed,
> propane leaked out, headlight switch, heater switches both melted,
> odometer
> stopped counting, original Continental tires horribly cracked.....and on
> and
> on. Is there anyone on the list who doesn't have broken wires in the
> harness connecting the doors with the body? One has to read the the
> messages
> appearing on my inbox list to see that Vanagon is an owner headache and a
> blessing for the reapairmen. Till the last Vanagon will be scrapped they
> shall not worry about the security of their jobs!
> Convenience Vanagon offers carries a heavy price. Read the message below
> mine and see for yourself reading the last sentense. Ark
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jim Johnston" <inmytree1@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010 4:27 AM
> Subject: Manual Shifter Woes
>
>
> >I had to replace the shifter ball on my 4-speed manual transmission in my
> > 1991 GL. Now I can't get into reverse. I push down and over, and it goes
> > into first. I'm following the Bentley procedure to align the shifter. I
> > am
> > missing a plastic tab on the front shift rod, but didn't think that
> > would
> > be
> > that big of an issue. Anyone else run into this? Any ideas or guidance?
> >
> > I have to say, trying to get the shifter lined up has been one of the
> > most
> > frustrating jobs I've done on my Vanagon.
> >
> >
> > Jim
> > Wilmington, NC
>

--
David McNeely