Sunroof stuck

[ETERNITY]

Electric sunroof

The sunroof has always been slow and never moved with just the switch but by gliding it along with my hand

Now the right side of the sunroof has become loose and I can only tilt up but won’t fully open. Even with a helping hand. In the neutral position the sunroof doesn’t shut as the right side sits lower.

Feels like a guide has misaligned

Help before it rains

[Brianmoooore]

It's been warning you of impending failure, and now it's broke. An hour or two's maintenance, and it would have gone on for another thirty years.
Note that the lid isn't designed to keep out all of any rain water, so as long as it's nearly closed it should be fine in moderate rain.
One of the control cables may have jumped a tooth, so unscrew the complete motor/gearbox, remove it, and see if you can get the roof even, then refit the motor and see if you can open the roof with assistance.
Then dismantle it, including removing the cables, clean everything up, add new grease and reassemble.

[ETERNITY]

It's been warning you of impending failure, and now it's broke. An hour or two's maintenance, and it would have gone on for another thirty years.
Note that the lid isn't designed to keep out all of any rain water, so as long as it's nearly closed it should be fine in moderate rain.
One of the control cables may have jumped a tooth, so unscrew the complete motor/gearbox, remove it, and see if you can get the roof even, then refit the motor and see if you can open the roof with assistance.
Then dismantle it, including removing the cables, clean everything up, add new grease and reassemble.

Thank you for the prompt reply

I agree I should have looked into this earlier and now i have no sunroof in this glorious weather

I will do as you suggest because every time I ever followed your advice, it’s lead to a good result

Thank you

[ETERNITY]

It's been warning you of impending failure, and now it's broke. An hour or two's maintenance, and it would have gone on for another thirty years.
Note that the lid isn't designed to keep out all of any rain water, so as long as it's nearly closed it should be fine in moderate rain.
One of the control cables may have jumped a tooth, so unscrew the complete motor/gearbox, remove it, and see if you can get the roof even, then refit the motor and see if you can open the roof with assistance.
Then dismantle it, including removing the cables, clean everything up, add new grease and reassemble.

Ok I have tried to do this and noticed that the cranking mechanism guide has broken away from the lever. And that’s why the right side sits lower and is loose because it is become unattached and obviously doesn’t move alone when trying to open. The other side is fine and is still attached.

Are these replaceable and how do I access this because the only position I can the sunroof is tilt.

Thanks

[Brianmoooore]

Good news is that it all comes apart and goes back together again easily. Shut and tilt are all you need to take it apart.
With the roof very slightly back you need to detach the front edge of the fabric lower panel. It is attached by four or five spring clips into holes in the frame above, that are quite strong. To avoid damaging the panel you need a tool with a slot in it to slide in between the two, otherwise you may damage the lower panel around the clips.
Once it's released, push it backwards, out of the way.
Now tilt the roof, and from inside the car, looking sideways you should see three torx bolts each side holding the top steel panel. Remove theses with a male torx bit on an extension bar and ratchet, and lift the roof panel off.
Next, remove every small self tapping screw you can see then lift off the stainless steel plate on each side with great care, These panels have razor sharp edges, and are stuck in sealant in places. Cables just pull out once the motor/gearbox is removed.
At this point you should be able to see exactly what is broken. Identify the part in one of the online versions of the BMW ETK, and ask a BMW dealer, such as Cotswold BMW on here, whether the part is available, or ask for a second hand part in our "parts wanted" forum.

[Grepot]

I've recently done a bit of work on my sunroof and it's extremely simple. Took me a bit to get my head around it but as long as you take pictures while you go it shouldn't be any trouble.

I'll keep an eye out for any questions since it's probably one of the only things I'm actually qualified to help with lol.

Pictures on this blog helped me with illustrating how it comes apart: https://bmwe30love.blogspot.com/2011/07 ... f.html?m=1