I'm Sick Of Stupid Power Windows Going Out! AAAAH!

[Tony H]

Why were Mercedes power windows so funky? The ones on my coupe hardly moved even though they were lubricated and adjusted. Contemporary American PW were fast and quiet. Seems so simple...
I thought of installing relays at the motors so the motors would get full battery voltage instead of the voltage drop going through the switches and wiring.

[Tomguy]

My thought is using cast aluminum instead of stamped steel for the regulators. I don't understand why they did, but it's poor design / planning and why they always fail.

[Squiggle Dog]

Originally Posted by roadron

seems i am a full time power window repairman. where do i get manual regulators fo a 1980 300sd?

You have to get them from a European market W116 chassis sedan, which is not easy.

[Squiggle Dog]

Originally Posted by Tony H

Why were Mercedes power windows so funky? The ones on my coupe hardly moved even though they were lubricated and adjusted. Contemporary American PW were fast and quiet. Seems so simple...
I thought of installing relays at the motors so the motors would get full battery voltage instead of the voltage drop going through the switches and wiring.

Besides warpage of the regulators, the rubber seals at the bottom of the glass can harden and cause drag. Probably the most common reason is warped aluminum guide bars (each door has one, it's the raw aluminum bar with notches that the window glides on). Once these warp, it makes it nearly impossible to raise and lower the window.