Could really use some help on a sunroof issue (Not in DIY)

[kaineb]

I want to keep this simple so lets just say i rebuilt the sunroof and all of the old reference points are gone. I have to realign the cassette and it is giving me some trouble.

The front to back motion works correctly, it not seating against the roof seal correctly. Are you supposed to adjust the front swivels on the lid?

I cannot find the proper closed position because there are adjustments in the front and back. I tried using the vent position as a starting point and then reset the motor to that position. But it is slightly off when i cycle through open, close, etc now. Vent to close and open to close stop is slightly different spots.

I don't know how to explain this correctly without writing a book. But i am !@#$ing frustrated as hell and could use some help. :mad

**** Fixed, See below ***

[Windsma]

which part is not sealing properly.
Front or back?

[kaineb]

Both. I replaced all the stuff that normally breaks with the cassette pulled out of the car. I lost the open/close positions because the unit failed and broke some stuff inside. The cassette works mechanically,I have the interior panel shoved back until i can get the rest working right.

I set it to the vent position, removed the motor and set it to the vent position. I put it back and the problem is that its a little off. The front and back are just a little low.

My other issue is i understand the back has adjustments but does the front? Do you pick the lid up where it should be and tighten the screw on each side in the front? Or should it be laying down all the way?

And thank you for the reply, very frustrating!

[Windsma]

dont thank me yet,
im new to bmw
But i have had 2 apart already.

Get it closed
I know the wedges in the back set the rear depth ( 2, 17mm nuts i think)
ill have to read the instructions again for the front. I tired not to mess w/ the adjustment there.

[kaineb]

The unit is in or near the closed position but i dont know how to find actual closed because there are adjustments on either the back or back and front. again the front is slightly down so i am wondering if it is normal and you need to pick the lid up slightly when screwing the front in.

[berkeleyEE]

My recollection is that the brackets at the front of the sunroof panel are slightly slotted vertically, so you can loosen the two T-20 Torx that go into the brass arms and get a bit of up/down motion out of them for the sunroof panel. But not much.

I recommend using the 4mm hand wrench in the DC motor to move the sunroof to the best CLOSED position, then mess with the T-20's at the front and the 17mm nuts and shims (wedges) at the rear to set the best CLOSED height.

Then resynch the motor so it's also at the CLOSED position.

I've already described how to resynch the motor to the sunroof here: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1161982

But if you're also having the problem that the sunroof doesn't go to the same closed position when moving from TILT->CLOSED and OPEN->CLOSED, then that sounds like a problem with the microswitches inside the DC motor gear box (that's how mine works). You may want to pop the cover off the motor/gearbox and inspect. Maybe the microswitches are loose or damaged. They can be replaced, but whole motors are fairly cheap on Ebay.
The same link above has images of the yellow cam-wheel and microswitches inside my motor. Good luck
-Jerry

[kaineb]

Thanks Berkeley,

I actually did all of that and got it set correctly but when i went i installed the fabric shuttle i am back to my original issue. It wont tilt with the shuttle in place. there is a large plastic bar that runs across the back of it that is preventing it from sliding back. Just jams. If i remove the bar then it works but the shuttle does not return and gets jammed underneath the metal panel.

I bought a rail repair kit and find that the plastic piece of the rail on the right side is too long as well. It hits the back of the cassette. The original arm was steel and shorter.

[berkeleyEE]

Wow, that's tough luck. Whoda thunk sunroofs would change that much from '95 to '96?

Two thoughts: if the fabric shuttle is jamming when it's moving back, maybe you have too thick of material on it. That's the item that really needs the 3mm or 1/8 inch material.
Second, is the shape of the end of the steel piece the same as the shape of end of the nylon runner in the repair kit? If so, maybe you can cut, shorten, and drill holes to make the nylon piece fit where the original goes. If not, I guess you will need to find a second sunroof cassette and salvage the parts you need. Good luck

[Windsma]

^I took the suede material off and removed the foam backing then glued the suede back on.
PO did the install and broke the shuttle rails because of that.


I paid $35 for a complete sunroof assy. from the you pull it place. 4door will not work w/ a coupe. But i did get to rob some parts off it.

[kaineb]

Ya part was i purchased the rail kit for the newer sunroof. I put the old catch on that attaches to the back of the drivers side rail and also realized that the plastic bar that goes across the shuttle had 2 plastic tabs that worked their under the shuttle itself. So it was jamming it. Working ok now.