C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

sunroof won't close nor open, mechanical problem?

Old Jan 3, 2010 | 04:53 PM
  #1  
draze's Avatar
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2002 c230 kompressor M111 6spd
sunroof won't close nor open, mechanical problem?

My sunroof seems to be stuck in one position and moves only like one inch in any direction. I tried using the manual crank, the result is the same.

It's winter and for some unknown reason I decided to open my sunroof, it did open but wouldn't close, so I tried pressing the close button and forcing it with my hand at the same time, because it worked before...Now I ended up with one side closed and one open with about one inch gap.











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Old Jan 3, 2010 | 04:55 PM
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2002 c230 kompressor M111 6spd
How do I fix this?
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Old Jan 3, 2010 | 08:25 PM
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Oh that is going to suck. Might be a snapped cable. If it won't move at all you may be looking at a $$$ repair.

Hopefully the dealer can get it closed at least, but not, hopefully you have deep pockets. See if you can get the 2003+ roof installed. 2002 is notorious for breaking.
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Old Jan 3, 2010 | 08:38 PM
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nice macro shots, very crisp.
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Old Jan 3, 2010 | 09:27 PM
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I feel your pain. The other day it got a little sunny in Ottawa and like -2 deg C so I considered opening the sun-roof. I opened the sunshade...and as the actual roof started to open, I chickened out and closed it. If it decides to go crazy now and not close...Id be in a pretty deep screwy situation when it goes back to like -20C.

Anyway I hope youre able to fix it soon.
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Old Jan 5, 2010 | 11:05 PM
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By activating the switch only the whole roof want to move, but moves only one inch either way. Also, the most movement happens on the side that always stays opened, the other side that's closed on pictures is actually opened to full.

When trying to turn by hand it's about the same movement.

So, I have two assumptions and I'm not sure if either is right....
1) Something is not in place on the open side, there seems to be an arm that is loose, dunno if it's supposed to be like it or no.
2) Maybe something is holding my other side that is closed
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Old Jan 7, 2010 | 12:59 AM
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fawk, same thing happened to me, exactly, the sunroof was working but i didnt use it that much, one day my daughter said she wanted to see stars and i say ok so i open the shade, i didnt realize, i went to close it later but it open the roof. After we got home i closed it and this happened. Same side and everything, only moves back and forth within an inch. WTF if i get it closed, its shut for good, which is a shame i love the sunroof.
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Old Jan 7, 2010 | 10:36 AM
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2002 c230 kompressor M111 6spd
Originally Posted by valexv
fawk, same thing happened to me, exactly, the sunroof was working but i didnt use it that much, one day my daughter said she wanted to see stars and i say ok so i open the shade, i didnt realize, i went to close it later but it open the roof. After we got home i closed it and this happened. Same side and everything, only moves back and forth within an inch. WTF if i get it closed, its shut for good, which is a shame i love the sunroof.
did you fix it? or it just happened?
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Old Jan 10, 2010 | 11:37 PM
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not fixed yet, havent had time to take a closer look
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Old Jan 11, 2010 | 12:44 AM
  #10  
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From: Canada, ON
2002 c230 kompressor M111 6spd
I think something might have snapped out of place on the side that's open. Also looks like there's a screw hole and the screw is missing....

Does anyone have a blueprint or a diagram/picture of the pano roof mechanism? This way I can attempt to fix it knowing what the problem is, if there is a mechanical problem....


valexv, if you find anything on the issue of your sunroof, please post here...
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Old Jan 11, 2010 | 06:52 AM
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Hi, My sunroof was jammed, but I was able to close it fully with the manual crank. I was told my slider was bent but not broken, it will cost about US$1100 to replace both side. The motor was also seized. In the end, I got the mechanics to disconnect the sunroof motor and only keep the sun shade connected.



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Old Jan 11, 2010 | 10:59 AM
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2002 c230 kompressor M111 6spd
kcha167,

can you post the closeup of the right rail?
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Old Jan 12, 2010 | 02:52 AM
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hi, draze, i have no more photos, maybe your problem is with the motor and gears jamming at the front, just take it to your mechanics, it looked like a big job, their took out my roof trim, and took out the roof glass, I wont DIY this without a MB service manual.
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 07:27 PM
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hmm strange the same thing is happening to me where the shade would only move an inch or so when opening, but it closes completely. The roof won't open at all.

I just read this on one of those "ask a question" sites that you can press and hold the sunroof button for 5 seconds in each direction (forward backwards and upward) and that should resync the mechanism because sometimes it goes out of sync.

I'm going to give this a try right now and see if it works.

brb will post back
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 07:40 PM
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Hmm it somewhat worked i tried it like 2-3 times. (push up and hold for 5-10 seconds, push down and hold for 5-10 seconds, push forward and hold, then push backward and hold) However now when i push the button up or down nothing happens...

Also I cant close the shade now. The sunroof opens (about an inch every time) closes fine, but the shade wont close/open now.

I guess there's a certain way you can resync the whole thing. I'm gonna do some research and fiddle around with it. Hopefully I won't get stuck with an open sunroof.

Also I noticed it started doing that during the winter when it got really cold... who knows...


Edit:

okay i fiddled around with it last night and I figured it out. This might not work for you if you have a snapped cable obviously.

Basically you have to sync/calibrate each position of the sun roof. So if it will only close, close it and press and hold the forward button(as if you would be closing the sunroof) for 10-15 seconds. Once you do that, then press the button down as you would close it from a popped up state for 10-15 seconds. Then try to open it all the way back and hold the button backward as if you would be opening the sunroof. And last but not least, try to pop up the window by pressing the button upward. For me it didn't work, so what i did was I pressed the button backwards as if i would open the sunroof until i got the sunroof to a position where it's only popped up without sliding backwards, and then i held the button up for 10-15 seconds and it finally synced all positions and it works like new.

Hope this helps some of you.

Last edited by kLeos; Jan 16, 2010 at 04:01 PM.
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Old Jan 17, 2010 | 07:49 PM
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Here's an update:

I went down to my garage today to check on the car. I started playing with the sunroof, tried synchronizing it like it's written in the manual, and it gave nothing. Manual crank, too, no success. However, then I started forcing it there and there again. I ended up manually lifting the closed side by a quarter of an inch with the screwdriver. But when I close it and open again it still stays the same. So overall - no success.

How much would it cost to just close it and remove the motor?
Do you think it's possible to close it with the drill? I mean if the something is jammed, it won't help, but if it's a bent rail it could probably work.
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 01:41 AM
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^ yeah i tried forcing it or pulling back up to even out, lifted a bit and try to close went back, havent messed with it or anything for a while but im thinking the same, shut it and been gone with it, damn i love sunroofs tho
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 06:16 AM
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Originally Posted by valexv
^ damn i love sunroofs tho

I have yet to fly a kite out my sun roof haha
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 07:27 AM
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The most common failing on the Webasto roof is stripped plastic gears. A replacement & lube should fix things if you have not bent anything.
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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 11:51 AM
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^ gears in where? in the motor? I think motor is fine. The sunroof doesn't close with manual crank, so my guess is that something is bent.
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 10:27 AM
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^ i havent tried anything yet, have you?
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 06:32 PM
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This semms like it is going to end up expensive. Perhaps it could be some of the mechanical components siezed up due to the cold weather?
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Old Feb 4, 2010 | 10:20 PM
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no. I haven't done anything yet. The car is stored for winter, hopefully, soon I'll be able to fix it.
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Old Feb 24, 2010 | 08:03 AM
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Just had the same thing happen

I just had the exact same thing happen, any luck finding the problem?
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Old Feb 24, 2010 | 11:41 AM
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nope haven't had time, it seems slowly this is popping up, who ever is first to figuring it out, please post up
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