Answers to Common Sunroof Problems

[TrentW]

He didn't notice you have a manual sunroof, so disregard the motor part. What you need to do is remove the sunroof liner panel and get access to the six torx bolts that mount the sunroof to the sliders. To do this, get the sunroof open about a quarter of the way, use a wooden wedge, or better yet, a set of nylon pry tools and pry down the front edge of the liner to release the five or six clips that hold the liner to the sunroof. Be careful not to bend the liner. Patience is key. Once the liner is free, slide it towards the rear of the car to expose the size 25 torx head bolts--three on each side. These will be fairly tight--DO NOT STRIP THEM! The best way is to use a 1/4 inch drive ratchet w/extension and just be careful. Once the bolts are out, push up on the sunroof from inside and get someone to lift it out from the top.

[Cloudbase]

^ When you say unbolt the sunroof panel, what are you talking about? The part where the crank or switch in a motorized one is? I already took that apart except the pulley mechanism. I can't get my sunroof to open at all. I figure the only way to get to it is to remove the headliner???

[redhatpat]

I have the same sunroof / symptoms except that my sunroof handle turns freely in either direction. It is also a manual.

Could be the cables are stripped. This happened with my elec. sunroof. It would tilt open partially, but wouldn't move back at all.

Easy to fix, unbolt and remove the sunroof panel, unscrew the tracks on the ends of the cables, unbolt the motor to allow the cables to come out. Then just pull out the old cables and put in the new ones. Be sure to lube up the new cables very well. I probably went overboard on the lube, but much better than using too little. And I aligned the sunroof panel to the motor when the cables and panel were back in position. Just put the panel to the fully closed (zero position), sync the motor to the same zero position, and then bolt the elec. motor back in place.

Wasn't too hard after I figured out how it all worked. Just watch the headliner cover when you test open and close the sunroof. If it doesn't go into it's track properly when you close the sunroof, it can catch and tear.

[flying_violin]

My sunroof is completely jammed. It won't open at all or push down. Does anyone know how I can get at it. Do I have to remove my headliner? It's a manual.

I have the same sunroof / symptoms except that my sunroof handle turns freely in either direction. It is also a manual.

[Northern]

My sunroof gets caught on #8 of the second diagram in the OP when closing from full open, not sure why it happens.

[bmwstephen]

you guys need to state if you have a manual or powered sunroof. because each uses a different cabling system.

[CabbE30]

Sunroof has a harder time tilting on hot days than cold days. Do i just need to lube? It wont fully tilt without assistance.

[Cloudbase]

My sunroof is completely jammed. It won't open at all or push down. Does anyone know how I can get at it. Do I have to remove my headliner? It's a manual.

[Dj Syco]

read over everything and not too sure still, I need to get the cover on the bottom of the sunroof off, its sagging badly and i want to reupholster it. is there any way to do it without taking the actual top panel off? its no bigge if I gotta take everything out, but I'm stuck outdoors and its rainy.

[Dozyproductions]

Mine closes fine when parked and at low speed, but at highway speeds the air deflector seems to get stuck up too high. any ideas?

Also, it seems to tilt open easier on warm days/on the highway than when its chilly/parked. any thoughts on that? (i usually just push the back up to help it.)

You might not have enough lubrication. Check to see if everything is tightened down appropriately.

[McGyver]

Mine closes fine when parked and at low speed, but at highway speeds the air deflector seems to get stuck up too high. any ideas?

Also, it seems to tilt open easier on warm days/on the highway than when its chilly/parked. any thoughts on that? (i usually just push the back up to help it.)

[Bene]

my car's PO removed everything from the sunroof besides the sunroof itself and the tracks.

it's held in place with an appropriately sized magnet to keep it level with the roof, or as a brace on top of the roof to keep it 'popped' or just remove the magnet, and slide the roof back.

it's very simple, and takes that pound or 2 off of the highest point of the car.

the only downsides are that sometimes if driving into a headwind on the freeway, it will generate enough aerodynamic lift to lift it up a little bit (a stronger magnet could fix this). if the roof is opened (back, inside the roof) it can close itself under heavy braking (also might be fixable with a stronger magnet). and sometimes it can be hard to pull it back out of the roof if it goes too far back (fixable with heavy braking)

I could take cell pics if anyone wants them.

[HippyEarly]

That gear isn't sold separately, so just replace the motor. Check the classifieds section--I found a good motor for $40 last year.

Make sure you synch the motor with the sunroof when you install.

thanks, i read all about syncing it and what not. just hoped since everything else worked maybe i could just get the gear. One of the few things i dont want to live without anymore, my sunroof!!!

[TrentW]

That gear isn't sold separately, so just replace the motor. Check the classifieds section--I found a good motor for $40 last year.

Make sure you synch the motor with the sunroof when you install.

[HippyEarly]

I don't know if this is too OT or not. But i need to replace a gear in my electric sunroof motor. It is the gear that meshes with the worm drive of the motor (don't know how many of you might have been in one).

Markings:

mast 1 483.090

haven't tried to dealer it, don't get to them very often. do they even carry 30 parts anymore?