alright alright. so i was looking at power windows and locks for my 2001 sunfire. they'd both cost aroud $70 and then i'd have to install them. plus they'd probably be universal kits so i'd have to do some tinkering here and there.
then it hit me. couldn't i just go to a junkyard, find a sunfire with power windows/locks, rip 'em off, pay like $30 total, and be on my way?
or is this too risky and a waste of $30. any comments are more than welcome!
"They say hard work pays off... well then why the hell doesn't it pay off for me?"
have fun trying to find a sunfire with those options...most likely you can find them on a cav. i just bought a universal kit for door locks...still cranking the windows.
I did universal power windows and locks at the same time, took two sundays, and it was easy. Plus it was all brand new parts. You never know what you'll get at a junk yard.. not only that, but you get what you pay for..
Grillrd wrote:have fun trying to find a sunfire with those options...most likely you can find them on a cav. i just bought a universal kit for door locks...still cranking the windows.
This is just weird. Why would a Cav be more likely than a Sunfire to have power options??
Or are you just suggesting it will be easier to find a Cav in general?
Anyhow.... make sure you get the whole actuator with the motor and pay close attention to how it's all attached. You'll probably have to carefully measure and drill new holes to attach it in yours.
I would get it from a junker, all the aftermarket Window/Lock buttons look really really cheap, least from what ive seen, you could get a both for prob. the price of an afermarket one, Plus switches that are supposed to belong
Well to add my 2 cents.. as much as we all hope it doesn't happen. Parts do break.
With an aftermarket kit, when/if it breaks, you'll most likely have to buy a whole new kit.
An aftermarket kit may, or may not require some tinkering like you said to make it fit.
A stock unit brand new would most certainly cost a lot. A junkyard unit would be cheaper for sure. And again there is a risk of it not working.
If/when anything broke on the stock unit, the broken part could be replaced, leaving the rest of the system intact.
The aftermarket unit would look just that... aftermarket. Or CUSTOM. However you like to view it.
The stock unit would look like it belongs, and you can add your own personal touch to the buttons if you choose to do so.
My bottom line, my parents had a 1982 Lincoln. The power window started going around.. ehhh I'd guess around 1997/1998. It was totally shot shortly after.
But for 15-16 years of service without a problem.. that's not bad.
And so far, my experience with my Cavy, the only power window problem I've come across was a broken power window switch, which seems to be VERY common. Which is most likely due to their location.
And all thats required to fix them is about 45 minutes of time, and patience to take the switch apart to clean the contacts.
There are positives and negatives to both sides of the arguement, and I'm sure there are more I didn't cover.
I'm sure whichever choice you make will be the best for your application. Good luck on the installation.
I know it's JUST a Cavalier, and I'm sorry if I hurt your ego.
Wild Weasel wrote:Grillrd wrote:have fun trying to find a sunfire with those options...most likely you can find them on a cav. i just bought a universal kit for door locks...still cranking the windows.
This is just weird. Why would a Cav be more likely than a Sunfire to have power options??
Or are you just suggesting it will be easier to find a Cav in general?
Anyhow.... make sure you get the whole actuator with the motor and pay close attention to how it's all attached. You'll probably have to carefully measure and drill new holes to attach it in yours.
i could not find a sunfire with power door locks or windows to save my life
i need power windows as well, because my new door panels are power, but my car is manual. im looking for something cheap, not the $200 autoloc kit.
ebay has some for like $50, but they say right on the auction that they are a temporary replacement, not intended for long term performance
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Eazy wrote:ebay has some for like $50, but they say right on the auction that they are a temporary replacement, not intended for long term performance
Hah... I guess that's just their way to cover their butts when the kit fails in a couple weeks, lol
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I'm doing the junkyard thing, but only because my b/f works there. When you do that though, for your remote for your power locks to work you need to change the body control module. I got everything for $150, and it's getting installed SOON. I can keep you posted on how everything turns out?
Officer: Do you know how fast you were going??
Me: Fast enough to get you to put down the coffee and doughnut!
Officer: (scowls)
Me: great, now I'm REALLY gonna get a ticket huh?
i got it for a lil cheaper off some site...still holding up great and just bought a universal keyless entry...everything works fine.
Is the installation for power windows/locks difficult? Or is it just time consuming? I'm just curious because I plan on putting in power windows and locks sometime this summer...
And also, does anyone know if any year will work with any other year? I want to make sure that I can get any motor and they will work in a 2nd gen.
dargo21 wrote:Is the installation for power windows/locks difficult? Or is it just time consuming? I'm just curious because I plan on putting in power windows and locks sometime this summer...
i only did the locks but it wasn't hard...the first one you just try to get used to what you have to do...took awhile, but the 2nd one took maybe 30-45 mins.
Ok. I'll probably go ahead and do it this summer. I'll have lots of extra time because i'm not going to take classes during the summer semester.
I'll probably go to a junkyard and pull all of the stuff from a newer (03 or 04) cavy.
I've done many installs for power locks/windows. I did an install for power windows in my 97 sunfire. I used the spal kit. For 100 bucks shipped you get 3 switches and everything you need. I customized mine. Where the center console is on my car, there's a little container area. I took it out, cut the bottom out, and just put 2 of the 3 switches into it. I then molded the switch plate into it so it looks like it's supposed to be there. Everything fits good and I have no problems.
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