E30 Zone

The sunroof on my M3 just doesn't work. When I push the button, for either direction, I can hear the motor but it just goes nowhere.

I'm guessing snapped, or disconnected, cable?

Just how hard a job is this likely to be?

mine done this from having back after respray. I gently helped it on its way back and it was ok. Seal needs sorting tho but works! Had same problem with previous e30 took it to specialist trimmers/sunroof chaps. it had something wedged in rails!

Funnily enough mine is not long back from some paintwork. I just don't want to force mine and break something!

i have issues with mine tilting, goes back fine but the motor tries to tilt it but doesn't actually get anywhere.

At a guess,the motor/gearbox has chewed it's teeth off.

You will need to manually open the roof with the gadget that should be part of your toolkit,as it's difficult to remove with the trim panel in place.The rear edge of the trim panel is held under the sunroof deflector,so all this gubbins will need to come out,along with the sunvisors that screw through the panel.
Once you can see what you are doing,the motor will un-bolt with ease.Not sure if they are repairable,or if you will need a s/h replacement.

As far as the two cars which have just had resprays are concerned you should check the fitting of the trim panel (roof lining part) beneath the sunroof. If this hasn't been aligned properly in the runners when the sunroof has been refitted to the car then there will be opening/closing issues.

OP - other than the teeth suggestion I'm not sure I can add much else.

mine took some abuse and lube!wouldnt have it any other way..... My motor was running and i gently helped it on its way. back and forward back and forward with some lube of course.... Then it sprang in to life! Maybe not the best advice but did work for me. was bit sceptical about pressing button and burning motor out, if this would happen?? Not sure?

Thanks guys. I shall investigate at some point although I'm not that desperate to open it really. I certainly don't want to spend money on the sunroof till I've got the other little, but more important jobs done.

If the motor is turning and the roof not moving, it may be as simple as the clutch that you release for manual operation just needs tightening!

Is that found under the little pop-out panel just back from the switch?

Hoobs wrote:Is that found under the little pop-out panel just back from the switch?

Yes,if the big nut is finger-turnable,try tightening it up,or try the manual crank thingy in the small hole in the middle.

I found that although the motor unit would come out through that access hatch,the little swine refused to go back,hence my need to strip all the sodding trim out!

I tried turning it with my fingers but no joy. Nothing seems to be loose but, when I push the button, the motor runs but nothing seems to be moving, or trying to move. I'm just about to go out with a camera and some tools to see what I can find?

It bloody hot out and an opening sunroof is suddenly quite a nice idea.

Brianmoooore wrote:If the motor is turning and the roof not moving, it may be as simple as the clutch that you release for manual operation just needs tightening!

95% most likely to be the case.

How do you tighten it?

Tighten the large nut.
Slacken the nut off first of all and use the hex. key from the tool kit, or one from your toolbox, to open and close the roof via the hex. drive in the centre of the nut.