Sunroof rails do not retract

[FlatSpot944]

I'm a new member here and I just purchased a 1986 944 Base last month to restore it with my 16-year-old son. So, you will be hearing from me a lot in the near future .

Yesterday, we tried to remove the sunroof, but following the procedure to retract the rear arms did not work. The sunroof will raise and close with no issues but pressing on the close button did not retract the rails so I cannot remove the sunroof. I need to fix the headliner on it.

Any ideas as to why it will open and close, but not retract the rails? Thank you.

[944 Ecology]

https://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/body-03.htm#trouble

[FlatSpot944]

Thank you for this information. I have a feeling that Clarks Garage website and I will be great friends!

[Monkey Wrench]

i keep imagining someone coming out with a trim piece that will fit in around the sunroof and seal it up for good ;-) mine has one but I simply hate the things.

if there is a drain hose , what I do is get an air hose with a blower and a little squirt bottle with some dish soap, squirt the soapy water in the hose and chase it through with compressed air. don't pressurize the hose by holding it right in there up tight or you may blow the hose off some connection.

then you'll see the soapy water come out and maybe some dirt along with it somewhere under the car.. in my Volvo I found a cherry pit in there and the clear vinyl hose had a kink and that caught it up so then it plugged up.

watch your eyes if you are blowing stuff around with compressed air. wear your safety glasses.. compressed air can hurl things at higher speed faster than your blink reflexes.

I was listening to a young guy talking about running an angle grinder without glasses and he described the act of keeping his eyes open just a crack as doing the "safety squint". . his term made me laugh ;-)

Yea that should never really be a "thing" ;-)

[huskerick1]

Drop me an email and I can send you some electronic service manuals and some other helpful info.

rheidtman@auaf.edu.af

[huskerick1]

perhaps a few helpful threads from Rennlist

https://rennlist.com/forums/924-931-944-951-968-forum/1335704-sunroof-arms-not-releasing-quick-fix-that-worked-for-me.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/924-931-944-951-968-forum/677764-944-can-t-remove-sunroof.html

[FlatSpot944]

It turns out that I was not putting the key in the right position in the ignition. I kept turning it all the way to Accessory. I didn't realize there was another position before because I didn't feel any resistance when turning the key. Anyways, I'm now able to retract the rails and removed the sunroof. Thanks for every one's help.