Electric Sunroof issues

[Shyboy]

Afternoon everyone. Ok, so iv had a look around for answers to issues with electric sunroofs but nothing that seems to lead to me sorting mine (I may be wrong, iv seen soooo many threads on the topics in the last week!)

Last year at MOT time on one of the tourings it was relatively good weather so i had the sunroof on tilt. Tried to close it at the garage and nothing, no movement whatsoever. Kept trying and trying but it didn’t want to budge. Came to garage it later that day and lo and behold it shut at the 1st attempt of asking. Phew. Since then it’s been parked up mostly and done about 100 miles.

Came to get it to take for this years MOT and do the pre-checks and the sunroof isn’t working again. No movement whatsoever. Motor is making all the correct noises. Did a bit of reading and decided to try a new relay as mine wasn’t clicking when pressing the switch’s. (Hens tooth but tracked down a new one). Fitted it……but no change whatsoever, motor sounds like it’s working but no movement of the sunroof (also, still no ‘click’ from the relay?) I did notice that when I try the switches, the large hex nut on the motor moves ever-so-slightly one way or the other depending on which switch I try? And was also loose enough to tighten by hand? (Don’t know if any of the last two points are of any relevance)

Iam aware that the cables and mechanism may need cleaning and re-greasing but is there any other plausible reasons given the symptoms?

Cheers in advance guys.

[Speedtouch]

The Wiki guide may be of some help:
https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.p ... of#Sunroof

[Shyboy]

Yeah cheers mate, already checked that out and more. Doesn’t go into enough detail for what I’m after.

[kdevitt]

My guess is that is its your sunroof gates - especially if the manual wind doesn't work either. They rot like the rest of the car, cable is no longer held down in place by them - so when the motor turns the cable, the cable flexes upwards instead of driving the sunroof back. Had this on my touring - right after a new headliner was fitted. Ended up having to cut the headliner to get access to the screws holding the sunroof in place.

[Shyboy]

My guess is that is its your sunroof gates - especially if the manual wind doesn't work either. They rot like the rest of the car, cable is no longer held down in place by them - so when the motor turns the cable, the cable flexes upwards instead of driving the sunroof back. Had this on my touring - right after a new headliner was fitted. Ended up having to cut the headliner to get access to the screws holding the sunroof in place.

Cheers mate I’ll look at that, was hoping to not have to dismantle too much. Also (and I want to jinx myself!!) the thought of any rot in there is not a good one, rest of the car is rot free and clean as a whistle.

[Shyboy]

My guess is that is its your sunroof gates - especially if the manual wind doesn't work either. They rot like the rest of the car, cable is no longer held down in place by them - so when the motor turns the cable, the cable flexes upwards instead of driving the sunroof back. Had this on my touring - right after a new headliner was fitted. Ended up having to cut the headliner to get access to the screws holding the sunroof in place.

Cheers mate I’ll look at that, was hoping to not have to dismantle too much. Also (and I want to jinx myself!!) the thought of any rot in there is not a good one, rest of the car is rot free and clean as a whistle.

‘Don’t’ want to jinx myself

[kdevitt]

My guess is that is its your sunroof gates - especially if the manual wind doesn't work either. They rot like the rest of the car, cable is no longer held down in place by them - so when the motor turns the cable, the cable flexes upwards instead of driving the sunroof back. Had this on my touring - right after a new headliner was fitted. Ended up having to cut the headliner to get access to the screws holding the sunroof in place.

Cheers mate I’ll look at that, was hoping to not have to dismantle too much. Also (and I want to jinx myself!!) the thought of any rot in there is not a good one, rest of the car is rot free and clean as a whistle.

Hate to be that person - but unless you get the sunroof panel out you won't figure it out! You need to tilt the sunroof to get at the screws that hold it in place - in my case the captive nut that the screw goes into had also rusted, so I ended up having to cut it out with a dremel around 3 inches from my eye.

Once you get the panel out you will see clearly whats happening with the sunroof cables. One of the sunroof gates is still available new from BMW I think, one side isn't - its an area where water can gather, so it eventually succumbing to some rust wouldn't be a shock.

[Shyboy]

My guess is that is its your sunroof gates - especially if the manual wind doesn't work either. They rot like the rest of the car, cable is no longer held down in place by them - so when the motor turns the cable, the cable flexes upwards instead of driving the sunroof back. Had this on my touring - right after a new headliner was fitted. Ended up having to cut the headliner to get access to the screws holding the sunroof in place.

Cheers mate I’ll look at that, was hoping to not have to dismantle too much. Also (and I want to jinx myself!!) the thought of any rot in there is not a good one, rest of the car is rot free and clean as a whistle.

Hate to be that person - but unless you get the sunroof panel out you won't figure it out! You need to tilt the sunroof to get at the screws that hold it in place - in my case the captive nut that the screw goes into had also rusted, so I ended up having to cut it out with a dremel around 3 inches from my eye.

Once you get the panel out you will see clearly whats happening with the sunroof cables. One of the sunroof gates is still available new from BMW I think, one side isn't - its an area where water can gather, so it eventually succumbing to some rust wouldn't be a shock.

So, had the sunroof open, manual wind was fine. No signs of any rust anywhere. Cleaned the old grease from where I could get to (wasn’t that much to be honest!). Put it back together and still nothing. I’m thinking now it may be motor related, perhaps the drive not engaging or something. Or maybe i have to take the whole sunroof panel off to look in there?

[Speedtouch]

Perhaps try lubing it with a generous coating of graphite penetrating oil or similar...

I would also polish off that rust on the chrome.

[Shyboy]

Perhaps try lubing it with a generous coating of graphite penetrating oil or similar...

I would also polish off that rust on the chrome.

Yep, took it apart already, cleaned it and lubed it. The ‘rust’ was just crusty grease.

[Speedtouch]

I would also remove all that mould/lichen from the sunroof panel rubber seal, as that can cause quite a lot of friction. Then try operating the electric mechanism several times - they often seize through lack of use.

[kdevitt]

Well if the manual wind is working, then you don't have a cable issue or an issue with the teeth on the motor. Next step for me would be to check the switch, and motor are actually getting power.

[Shyboy]

Thanks for everyone’s responses. Gave everything a good clean and lube (I’m lucky in that the car is a rust-free one) changed the relay but in the end I was stumped. Ended up seeing a motor on eBay and luckily it was 10 mins away so took a gamble and bought it, fitted it…….and hey presto one working sunroof!! No idea what the issue is/was with the old one as it appeared to be working (obviously not!)

[Speedtouch]

Nice result - well done!