Any sunroof experts ? Porsche 996

[rfuerst911sc]

My new to me 1999 996 C4 sat idle for a year with a dead engine . Then I purchased the car and built a 3.8 engine it is a beast now . Slowly going through the rest of the car . The sunroof seemed to be stuck from sitting . I decided to sit in the car , push the open button and physically push up on the rear portion of the sunroof and it popped open . Progress 😋

So now when I push the " open " button the rear of the sunroof pops open . Push the button again and it closes . But hit the button for it to slide open/back it pops open but doesn't slide back . Sounds like it is trying but labors then closes . So I think the front of the sunroof is maybe stuck on the gasket . If that's what is holding it up how do I " unstick " it ?

With the rear popped up I can see the rails on each side . Should I spray WD40 in there ? Should I have someone grab the open sunroof and pull towards the rear of the car while I work the button ? Any advice appreciated .

[Scott Douglas]

Only sunroof I've dealt with was in my 912 or Honda. Both slid down and inside to open. Rear popping up is only on the Honda's for ventilation.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Only sunroof I've dealt with was in my 912 or Honda. Both slid down and inside to open. Rear popping up is only on the Honda's for ventilation.

As it turns out that's how this one works . I played around with it a little this morning it now slides back about an inch then stops . I will lubricate where I can and keep working it .

[rfuerst911sc]

To close out this one the sunroof now works . With the sunroof in the " vent " position I was able to spray WD40 onto the rails . Let it sit for 15 minutes then started working the activation switch . Back and forth several times and it opened .

Inspected everything and all looks good and clean . Applied some synthetic silicone grease to everything and she's smooth like butter 😋 . For once an easy and cheap repair .

[911 Rod]

Until the lube collects dust and starts grinding.
Does your auto open still work? I have the same car and the circuit board can be problematic.

[Rusty Heap]

My 996 Sunroof has the quirk, that before it will slide back, you must first raise the rear first into Vent mode, then close it down..............THEN it'll slide back fine. Isn't there a way to "retrain" your drive motors and travel limit switches, say if you had a dead battery?

[rfuerst911sc]

My understanding of the " retrain " sequence .

1. Push the open button the sunroof will open about an inch or two then stop . Let go of the button .

2. Press and hold button again the roof will fully retract . Once retracted release the button .

3. Now that sunroof is fully retracted push the button to open and hold it . Within 10 seconds the sunroof will start a dance of closing/opening/venting and will finally stop . When it stops release the button .

This supposedly resets the " one touch " feature. I have not tried this yet but read about this on another forum . And this will only work if the circuit board inside the sunroof motor is fully functional . The circuit board seems to be a weak point .

[sc_rufctr]

Problematic sunroofs are never easy. What's always worked for me;

Take the whole thing apart. That means everything including the cables and motor. Replace anything that's missing, broken or worn, re-lube and reassemble. And then on going maintenance.

[Rusty Heap]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

My understanding of the " retrain " sequence .

1. Push the open button the sunroof will open about an inch or two then stop . Let go of the button .

2. Press and hold button again the roof will fully retract . Once retracted release the button .

3. Now that sunroof is fully retracted push the button to open and hold it . Within 10 seconds the sunroof will start a dance of closing/opening/venting and will finally stop . When it stops release the button .

This supposedly resets the " one touch " feature. I have not tried this yet but read about this on another forum . And this will only work if the circuit board inside the sunroof motor is fully functional . The circuit board seems to be a weak point .

That's exactly what mine does, except for the Dancing open/close part.

[rfuerst911sc]

^^^ Based on what I have read you have a circuit board in the sunroof motor housing with a fault . Might be a solder joint or a component has failed .

I am going to attempt to re-train mine and see what happens . To be honest I am happy that mine now works without major surgery . If the worst issue I have is I have to hold the button for 3-4 seconds to open and close then life is good 😁