Love / Hate w/944 is hate - SUNROOF!

[mtc911]

1985.5 944
Sunroof goes up and down
Arms WILL NOT retract for removal

New switch
New ignition switch
New switch between visors
Confirmed rear limit switch works

I have completely gone through Clark's Garage troubleshooting

I have 0 Volts - terminal A in fuse panel (relay receptacle)
I should have 12 volts here with key in accessory position
I have power on terminal R like I should

I have power on terminal 15 when key is "on" like I should

I cannot for the life of me figure out why I have no power on "A" - can't retract arms w/o it.

Driving me nuts

[JonA]

the switch between the visors, are you sure it is closing? Stick a little screwdriver up there to force the arm further in just to be sure.

After many hours of character building effort I was able to get my roof working perfectly a few years ago. I have not used it since cause I want to continue to think I fixed it and it works fine!!

Jon

[mtc911]

Yeah. Micro switch is fine be

[mytrplseven]

Are you sure you're using the proper procedure? I know, I know but I didn't realize there's two procedures based on the year. The owners manual doesn't clarify which year you're dealing with. One year, you put the ignition switch in position 1, the other year it's position 2. I chased my tail over this before I realized there was a difference.

[mtc911]

Yeah. If only it were that simple. There is no power to the fuse panel (relay socket) on the middle terminal

Thanks for the reply

[Tom944]

Sounds like the first limit switch on the cam at the rear of the motor is not working or out of alignment. I think that one has to be closed in order for the arms to retract fully.

[Tom944]

http://http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/944_Sunroof/944_sunroof.htm

This is a good explanation.

[mtc911]

Would that limit switch cause me to have no voltage at the relay block in rose panel? If I "Hotwire" 12volts to the switch the arms will retract

[kdjones2000]

I believe so. The retract will not occur unless the switches see the sunroof in the full down position. Once it is in that position (I am guessing it trips one of the switches in the rear), the retract relay gets energized.

[Tom944]

I had the opposite problem when switch I and II came loose. The arms would not stop in the closed position and would always retract. Very easy fix. You can hear them click. It IS that pair that control if the arms can retract - and therefore allow the voltage that you are in search of!

[petrolhead611]

Rmoving the sunroof is such a pain, without any real gain ,frankly I wouldn't bother

[mtc911]

I actually enjoy taking it out - also have a 911 targa - so love the open air - plus now it's an obsession for me to figure it out.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by mtc911

1985.5 944
Sunroof goes up and down
Arms WILL NOT retract for removal

New switch
New ignition switch
New switch between visors
Confirmed rear limit switch works

I have completely gone through Clark's Garage troubleshooting

I have 0 Volts - terminal A in fuse panel (relay receptacle)
I should have 12 volts here with key in accessory position
I have power on terminal R like I should

I have power on terminal 15 when key is "on" like I should

I cannot for the life of me figure out why I have no power on "A" - can't retract arms w/o it.

Driving me nuts

My turbo has the same issues, works great one day, then the dang arms don't retract after hours of pushing the button, I call a local Porsche guru, he said the micro switch has to be working properly, and there was something bout' a cable tension screw in the c pillar? I finally got it working, and I'm leaving it be, I call it a design flaw.

[mtc911]

So, here's a question - i keep reading threads about a "radio/sunroof relay" but i cannot find it anywhere in my car - mine is a 1985.5 (newer dash setup) was that "radio/sunroof relay" only in the early models (pre 1985.5?) the threads say its in the center console but i swear i cannot find it anywhere...anyone know?

Thanks

[mtc911]

I gave up...bought some manual sunroof clips on eBay - installed them in about 5-10 minutes - works like a charm now...no more electrics...which by the way i have lots of new sunroof parts if anyone is interested...

[pfarah]

Sent you a PM.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by mtc911

1985.5 944
Sunroof goes up and down
Arms WILL NOT retract for removal

New switch
New ignition switch
New switch between visors
Confirmed rear limit switch works

I have completely gone through Clark's Garage troubleshooting

I have 0 Volts - terminal A in fuse panel (relay receptacle)
I should have 12 volts here with key in accessory position
I have power on terminal R like I should

I have power on terminal 15 when key is "on" like I should

I cannot for the life of me figure out why I have no power on "A" - can't retract arms w/o it.

Driving me nuts

I was messing around with mine today, and it worked. The first notch in the key barrel it opens and closes the hatch lifters, turn the key one more click and the roof raises and lowers just nicely, Now I fired up the engine and while it was running no dice. Hmmm, I shut it off, no dice, LOL! I waited a while and it worked normal. Electrical gremlins? Maybe but after that I'm keeping it closed!

Its enough to drive a man batty!

[mtc911]

Just sit in our garage with the roof open...you didnt want to actually drive with it open did you ? You need the "S" model for that.

Seriously, i took it all out - removed all the electronics and went manual...found the manual clips on eBay from a very early 944 or 924 - popped them in..a little modification to the roof...and i mean very little just because i wanted the clips to lay down better...i Love the manual. works every time...

[kdjones2000]

Intermittent behaviour is usually caused by a mal-adjusted front switch on the later sunroof models. It may also affect the earlier ones, not sure.

Check that center toungue-thing in the front of the sunroof. There are adjustment screws for that, plus the switch itself may be bad.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by kdjones2000

Intermittent behaviour is usually caused by a mal-adjusted front switch on the later sunroof models. It may also affect the earlier ones, not sure.

Check that center toungue-thing in the front of the sunroof. There are adjustment screws for that, plus the switch itself may be bad.

These cars are a blast to own and drive, but me thinks they are way over engeneered. Ach du lieber!
Caint blame the Germans, they did get our butts to the moon.
Bang zoom to the moon!