Sunroof not closing all the way
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
2002 C230
Sunroof not closing all the way
Hi,
Initially the sunroof wasn't working, only the shades were working. So I went ahead and looked for a solution to my problem and found http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w203...oblem-fix.html.
Tried that solution and the sunroof started to open up an inch at a time. However, I could not close sunroof completely and started hearing the grinding noise. Did a reset and played around with it for a few hours and then ended up not being able to close it all the way.
It doesn't close now unless I help it by pushing the roof from the outside while pressing the switch. It stops right at the end and does not want to tilt down. I do not understand the grinding noise either. It opens fully but a few inches at a time.
Video of the problem
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/50143419/20...2023.03.41.jpg
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/50143419/20...2023.03.49.jpg
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/50143419/20...2023.03.57.jpg
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/50143419/20...2023.04.05.jpg
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/50143419/20...2023.04.08.jpg
Initially the sunroof wasn't working, only the shades were working. So I went ahead and looked for a solution to my problem and found http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w203...oblem-fix.html.
Tried that solution and the sunroof started to open up an inch at a time. However, I could not close sunroof completely and started hearing the grinding noise. Did a reset and played around with it for a few hours and then ended up not being able to close it all the way.
It doesn't close now unless I help it by pushing the roof from the outside while pressing the switch. It stops right at the end and does not want to tilt down. I do not understand the grinding noise either. It opens fully but a few inches at a time.
Video of the problem
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/50143419/20...2023.03.41.jpg
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/50143419/20...2023.03.49.jpg
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/50143419/20...2023.03.57.jpg
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/50143419/20...2023.04.05.jpg
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/50143419/20...2023.04.08.jpg
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,054
Likes: 11
From: fort worth, tx
06 C230 SS 6spd
Might have debris in it like a rock chip or something. Try lubricating the rails and get an air gun to blow out anything maybe suck in it. Worse could be the motor going out
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,580
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Bay area
C63 AMG
I had the same problem and I just used some lubricant from auto zone and it fixed the problem completely. I believe your soposed to use a special one from the dealership though
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
2002 C230
True, there was some debris of rock chips and leafs. Cleaned it a bit and lubricated the railings (didn't use the lubricant from the dealer, closed today). I am definitely going to get the lubricant and see if that helps. But I'm afraid that it might be a bigger problem. The grinding noise kinda worries me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,054
Likes: 11
From: fort worth, tx
06 C230 SS 6spd
Might be off track... The grease they use is pretty pricey I think. Like 35-40 if I remember. You can probably use a good synthetic grease like Mobil 1 one from the auto store, think I got mine for 16
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
2002 C230
Thanks guys for the replies.
I got the Mobil 1 synthetic grease and cleaned up the track and greased it up. However, the problem didn't go away. I had a feeling that the motor might have a problem. So I started to manually close the sunroof. It took a few minute but it finally closed all the way.
At this point I am almost certain that the motor is gone and cannot supply enough power to move the sunroof. I unplugged the sunroof and the shade motor for now. I am going to read on how to remove the headliner to get to the motor.
My plan is to swap the motors as I remember reading that the shade motor does not need much power anyway and can replace the sunroof motor if needed. If swapping the motors doesn't help, I am going to inspect to see if a mechanical part is bent or broken. Planning to do this during a weekend where I will not need the car.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions or helpful links that I could use.
I got the Mobil 1 synthetic grease and cleaned up the track and greased it up. However, the problem didn't go away. I had a feeling that the motor might have a problem. So I started to manually close the sunroof. It took a few minute but it finally closed all the way.
At this point I am almost certain that the motor is gone and cannot supply enough power to move the sunroof. I unplugged the sunroof and the shade motor for now. I am going to read on how to remove the headliner to get to the motor.
My plan is to swap the motors as I remember reading that the shade motor does not need much power anyway and can replace the sunroof motor if needed. If swapping the motors doesn't help, I am going to inspect to see if a mechanical part is bent or broken. Planning to do this during a weekend where I will not need the car.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions or helpful links that I could use.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 904
Likes: 22
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, eh!
2003 C230 Sports Coupe, Paprika Metallic Red, Auto, Pano, Leather
I bet you never properly lubed your pano sunroof before. Pano are huge and heavy causing lots of strain on the motor and gear (that`s why I recommended the Dupont Krytox 105 that MB relabels and sell for double the price),... if not properly lubed on a regular basis, gears get chewed up and motor gets warped. Proper maintenance is cheap compared to the cost, time and aggravation of fixing broken items.
Search for pano sunroof fix or something like that,.... Todd (C230 Sport Coup) did an extensive writeup on maintenance and fixes for it.
From your video, that grinding sound is likely the gear are chewed up,... Or it could be that the plates that sandwich the motor is bent outward,... another thread by Mike (mbryant107) on how to fix that,... another possible fix for the bent motor is to take out the plate and put in a new plate.
Search for pano sunroof fix or something like that,.... Todd (C230 Sport Coup) did an extensive writeup on maintenance and fixes for it.
From your video, that grinding sound is likely the gear are chewed up,... Or it could be that the plates that sandwich the motor is bent outward,... another thread by Mike (mbryant107) on how to fix that,... another possible fix for the bent motor is to take out the plate and put in a new plate.
Last edited by SunnyRayToronto; Nov 5, 2012 at 11:35 PM.
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