manual to elctric sunroof

[alan325i]

Got a manual sunroof, but have an electric on in my old car.

Straight swap, i.e wiring will be there for it or do i need to wire it in?

Any problems involved in doing this?

Thanx

[Simon]

Courtesy of Mr Moore...

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic+sunroof

[Brianmoooore]

Courtesy of Mr Moore...

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic+sunroof

No, don't use that one! Superceded.
It's easier to remove the whole assembly complete with tubes, but without the cables.
Remove the hatch and a few bits to release the roof end of the tubes. Be very carefull of the stainless steel pieces near by - very sharp edges.
Other ends of the tubes are held by single screws.
Wind the mechanism away by turning the handle as if to retract the roof, but let the tubes move away instead.

[Simon]

Brian, OT a little, but when I did mine, my sunroof doesn't stop in the correct places now, i.e. when closing from tilt, it won't stop and start sliding, and then stop half open, what's the reason behind this, and how do I sort it out?

[Brianmoooore]

Theres a gear on the motor plate which works a microswitch. The notch in the cam in this gear lines up with the microswitch when the roof is fuul closed.
Think the following should work, but I've never tried it, because I've never needed to:
Use the switch to get the roof exactly in the fully closed position.
Unscrew the three motor mounting screws and pull the motor slightly away from the base.
Press which ever half of the switch makes the motor move towards the roof closed position, and keep it pushed untill the motor stops.
Push the motor back into place, twisting it slightly one way or the other slightly, to engage the cables with the gear. Take care not to move one of the cables relative to the other.
Line the mount holes in the motor up with the threaded holes in the plate, and refit the three screws.

[Simon]

Theres a gear on the motor plate which works a microswitch. The notch in the cam in this gear lines up with the microswitch when the roof is fuul closed.
Think the following should work, but I've never tried it, because I've never needed to:
Use the switch to get the roof exactly in the fully closed position.
Unscrew the three motor mounting screws and pull the motor slightly away from the base.
Press which ever half of the switch makes the motor move towards the roof closed position, and keep it pushed untill the motor stops.
Push the motor back into place, twisting it slightly one way or the other slightly, to engage the cables with the gear. Take care not to move one of the cables relative to the other.
Line the mount holes in the motor up with the threaded holes in the plate, and refit the three screws.

Thanks Brian, will give it a try, I hope it doesn't take me 3 days to get the screws back in place again!!

[Brianmoooore]

Thanks Brian, will give it a try, I hope it doesn't take me 3 days to get the screws back in place again!!

When I converted one using the manual gold coloured backplate, I got the motor to fit by drilling all three holes in the motor slightly oversize.

[Simon]

Thanks Brian, will give it a try, I hope it doesn't take me 3 days to get the screws back in place again!!

When I converted one using the manual gold coloured backplate, I got the motor to fit by drilling all three holes in the motor slightly oversize.

Yeah, I did this too after reading your post, after breaking the first motor by putting to much pressure on the drill, then I couldn't get the screw through the furtheset passenger side hole as it didn't seem to be long enough!!

[Brianmoooore]

, then I couldn't get the screw through the furtheset passenger side hole as it didn't seem to be long enough!!

The screw in the genuine electric plate fits into a threaded boss/spacer between the tubes. This spacer is missing on the manual plate, although the hole behind it is threaded, so a longer screw and a plain spacer are needed.

[TouringMatt]

Are the outer metal panels the same, regardless of whether its electric or manual?

Matt

[Toby_Unna]

GGGRRRRRRR!

maybe i'm just thick! but i haven't got this sussed yet.

i have the motor unit free from the car, still attached to the four copper tubes, and the ends of the copper tubes free from the sunroof. but the cable ends are still attached to the sunroof sliders at each side. how do i free them?

[Demlotcrew]

Dude..............................


Keet it work out!


Andrew

[Toby_Unna]

Dude..............................


Keet it work out!


Andrew

what?!

[Demlotcrew]

Well i get a workout when i open my sun roof (this is because its manual) keeps the weight down.



Andrew

[Toby_Unna]

ah i see

well my handle has to be pushed upwards against the spindle while turning or it falls off, and has to be removed while driving or it also falls off. and my sunroof is very stiff.

the last time i tried opening it on the move, it slipped off and i hit my girlfriend in the head (and no i'm not joking)

so you see i need to get this electric sunroof removed ASAP

[Brianmoooore]

GGGRRRRRRR!

maybe i'm just thick! but i haven't got this sussed yet.

i have the motor unit free from the car, still attached to the four copper tubes, and the ends of the copper tubes free from the sunroof. but the cable ends are still attached to the sunroof sliders at each side. how do i free them?

The cables stay attached. Wind the sunroof handle as you would to retract the roof, and the cables will come out of the tubes.
Keep the roof in the fully closed poition, take the motor off the mounting plate, and push the freshly greased cables into the tubes until the mounting plate is in its place.
Make sure the motor is in the fully closed position as well, and bolt it up in place. Everything should all be timed/synchronised perfectly.