Sunroof problem

[camo]

Hey guys. Most of you probably read about my sunroof problem in my other thread. so you'll know what I'm talking about, but for those of you that don't.. I got a 1982 Porsche 928 and my sunroof wont close tight. Its all the way closed but it wont suck up into the roof. Its garaged now so water isn't leaking in but i live in Oregon so i need to fix it soon. what happens when i press the button to close it is, you can hear the motor running and the Black thing and The screw (Which are color coded on the pic) Both move so i guess the motor is working. So i have no idea what it could be. I'm only 15 and don't have tons of mechanical knowledge so any help is appreciated. Thanks

[JhwShark]

Odds are the gear is not engaging from the motor through the black thing (clutch)...either the clutch is failed or the gear (transmission)...so, try and unscrew/remove the Big flathead and then turn the gear manually.

Probably, if the Big screw is turning then the gear which is inside the alu casing is worn.

[camo]

Alright, thanks man. Ill try that as soon as i get a chance.

[MPDano]

I've turned that black thing while pushing up on the sunroof from the inside to get mine to close tightly. Did you try that?

[camo]

No i havnt, ill try that too.

[Landseer]

Sunroofs on these are a wasted appendage, get it closed, keep it closed.

[JhwShark]

The gate and or hinge may be frozen up as well (they are on each side)...
...which may be why "get it closed and keep it closed"

Make sure that the leading edge is clean and clear...I would think you have done that.

[Landseer]

One key is making sure the four drain tubes are clear.
Its not so much the seals as the gutters that keep it dry, once closed.

[bluemane500]

your sunroof is closing all the way but it does not go up in the rear is a simple adjustment,slide the roof back and take out the three screws that hold the sunroof headliner on the sunroof,then remove the headliner by pulling it forward and take it right out,once removed close your roof again. on the sides of the front of the sunroof you will see the adjustment screws for the tilt mechanism of the roof,they are more than likely loose, but if not loosen one side at a time ,push your roof up in the rear and tighten screw while holding sunroof in up position ,simple adjusment, sunroof is key in this car on the highway if you dont have air conditioning due to design of car,poor ventilation

[camo]

Not sure if ill be able to get it open, but ill try. thanks

[bluemane500]

i didnt know you were having trouble opening it

[garylewa]

Regarding the picture you posted:
Remove the transmission (gear), clutch (black rubber cylinder) & motor. There are two screws mounting the transmission and one screw mounting the sunroof motor bracket, also unclip the power feed to the motor.
You now will be able to slide the roof back and forth by hand on its tracks. Push it back far enough to remove the panel liner (three screws) and pull this out through the sunroof opening. I would then remove the deflector and both hinges (hinges are screwed down with one screw each; the deflector is held on with two circlip pins) I would then pull out the whole sunroof panel and take the tracks off too (three or four flathead screws on each track).
Clean everything off; it's probably really gunked up. two "shoes" (for lack of a better word) along with two metal spiral cables should come out with the panel. Let me now when you get this far and I will post the way to re-assemble.
These sunroofs are a major PITA (ask me how I know....) I actually modified the "shoes" for better movement and a better roof line fit when closed by removing the small rockers attached to them. The roof opens and closes much easier with these removed.
I think your issue could be one or more of the following if the motor is turning the clutch:
1.) the adjustment screw in the tranny is too loose; crank that thing down first
2.) the tranny gear is not making contact inside the spiral valleys of the cables
3.) the cables came off of the roof panel
4.) cables are not inserted into the corner track bores
5.) lack of lubrication on the cables and/or track
6.) the brass cable tubes are full of junk

[camo]

Alright thanks, ill try to do that tomorrow

[camo]

Originally Posted by bluemane500

due to design of car,poor ventilation

Yeah, Ive noticed the poor ventilation. Would that be why you have to slam the doors?

[riber.bentsen]

You could also use your time machine to go back in time and tell the original owner to check the sunroof delete option.

That's what I did

*Walks away*

[lfausty]

careful! slamming door -- poor ventilation-- actually its vacuum - imagine youll need checking that whole system/lines in time. A window needs to be cracked open and door will firmly/easily press closed if its bouncing back when your shutting it. You have cabin pressure not releasing?.

Right,Everyone? *trust in this statement , you do not want to break external or internal door handle/parts. You might be 15 and in alien territory now working on a pcar, you dont know aliens til you have to do linkage repair in the doors. lol.

[camo]

Originally Posted by riber.bentsen

You could also use your time machine to go back in time and tell the original owner to check the sunroof delete option.

That's what I did

*Walks away*

Sounds great haha

[JK McDonald]

Hey Garylewa, Would you be able to post a few photos of the sunroof drive modifications you mentioned ? Did I understand that you modified the sliding shoe assembly that tilts the sunroof panel ?

"I actually modified the "shoes" for better movement and a better roof line fit when closed by removing the small rockers attached to them. The roof opens and closes much easier with these removed."

I have helped sort out and repair a number of different sunroof problems but without exception, once everything was back together and working - all of the original trouble prone parts were simply cleaned, lubricated and/or replaced. Any additional information on a setup improvement would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Michael

[garylewa]

No problem; I'll post pics tomorrow. my main issue was the rear of the panel not even close to the roofline when closed; I adjusted the rear adjustment screws all the way up but I still had a gap of more than 1/2". Somehow my guides were not going up into the cutout on the tracks. I removed the tabs on the guides thereby allowing the cable pins to move freely in the guides. It lines up now and runs on the tracks much smoother. I'll post pics on Friday; I have them on my laptop.

[Landseer]

That could help me, too.