Help! Dead sunroof

[techweenie]

I'm paint-prepping the '73 E coupe I originally bought for parts, and the sunroof won't open.

The 30-year-old headliner's zipper was frozen, but I eventually accessed the little screw you're supposed to turn to manually close the roof. Unfortunately, I want to open the roof, and turning it that way backs the screw out.

Can anyone help me figure out how to open a dead sunroof?

TIA

[fred cook]

In order to get the sunroof open, you will have to get the zipper far enough open to be able to remove the gearbox (2 screws) and get something around the front of the sunroof liner (the upholstered part) and "pop" it loose. Once you get the clips unsnapped on the front of the sunroof liner, it will simply push back out of the way. Then, you can use a screwdriver to unlock the lifter mechanisms on each side which will let the rear of the sunroof drop down. At that point, the sunroof should slide back fairly easily.

Usually, the problem will be a broken cable, stripped gear or bad motor. If you have to replace the cable(s) you will have to either modify the late model cables to fit your older slides, or buy a new set of slides to match the new style cables. If the motor is turning, but the gearbox is not, it could be the small rubber connector between the two. If the motor is not running, be sure to check the fuses and relay.

Good Luck!

Fred Cook
'80 911SC coupe

[techweenie]

Wow, Fred, excellent instructions!

Thank you.

Bill

aka

[1974carrera]

Yes, excellent info Fred. Bill, If the cables are OK you should be able to use the manual sunroof crank to open the sunroof. Do you have a crank? If you do, just remove the screw that you are turning and then put on the crank and open that baby up. If you don't have a crank, might consider getting one so you have a way to close the sunroof if the motor or power ever fails while it's open.