Sunroof Cable Issue

[timbieber]

Bought the car with no sunroof motor so just bought one and threw in. It's the older style with the long track that slides the cable back/forth. Problem is the cable seems too long!

The sunroof will only half close before the plastic clip attached at the end of the cable trips the relay.

when i take it apart to just pull the cable through to pull the roof down the cable comes loose and i can pull it out of the sheath -- this means i can't get the roof firmly sealed down.

Is the cable suppose to detach like this and pull all the way out? It does pull the roof down half way fine (would pull it the rest of the way if it was shorter so it wouldn't reach the end of the track and trip the relay switch).

Am I able to wind the cable to thread into the gear box in the roof to shorten it's length and firmly attach it so it doesn't pull out??

Anyone have any idea what i'm talking about!? Help please... Thanks!

[sweetskillsrk]

No the cable is not supposed to pull out like that. You should be able to wind up the cable and attach it somehow. One of the most common problems for sunroof issues is when you unlock the sunroof for removal, don't hold the button down too long or else the cable will feed through too far and screw up the sunroof's ability to unlock and lock back. The problem you are experiencing sounds like its kinda similar this issue. I've had very little issues with my sunroof since I've had it fixed so I haven't had too deal with it that much but I do know how it operates and is supposed to work. I hope this helps and if you need more help I can go and tear my motor apart and try to give you some more details. Good luck.

[timbieber]

maybe if I rig it up the motor with the cable out of the rear rail so i can just push the roof all the way up and continue winding the cable through the gear box in the roof??

It appears like i need to have the cable wound through an additional 3-4" further in so the cable has no chance of winding out of the gear box when i'm pulling the roof down and firmly shut???

[jerry920]

Check this article on Clarks Garage. Good info on Sun Roof repairs and testing.

http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/body-03.htm

[timbieber]

ya, i've read all that and nothing to do with my specific problem?

[zedsn]

Hi, do you have the control box that mounts inside hatch area drivers side? I have an extra cable and can give you a length measurement if you want?

[timbieber]

I actually figured it out yesterday. With the motor off and cable detached from the rail etc. you have to force the cable in while turning counter clock-wise in order to spin the cable into the gear box gears up in the roof. I assumed this is what had to happen but was trying spinning it clock-wise. seems to work fine now! thanks guys!