Sun roof problems
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Texas
C230 Sport
Sun roof problems
Hello to all, newbie here. Wife has an '07 C230 Sport with 55k on it. Very nice car, but with very little use, beginning to show some annoying problems, largest of these is the sunroof failed to close the other day. Took it up to local MB dealer who was able along with the key fob to pull it closed. Went back for a diagnostic the following Monday and was told wind deflector and sunroof motor was shot, needed replacement at cost of $1,600.
Did not have the car repaired then and will be taking in to highly rated independent shop on Thurs. Was rather discouraged when indy repairman said, "Mercedes had a lot of problems with sun roofs", and "most people don't fix it".
I'm not going to be doing anything myself with this car. Have others had similar experience? Do most just live with it?
Thx
Did not have the car repaired then and will be taking in to highly rated independent shop on Thurs. Was rather discouraged when indy repairman said, "Mercedes had a lot of problems with sun roofs", and "most people don't fix it".
I'm not going to be doing anything myself with this car. Have others had similar experience? Do most just live with it?
Thx
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 591
Likes: 3
From: Mid-Atlantic USA
W203 & W204 3.0L 4matics & MR2 Supercharger
Never had a problem with them on the 6 MB that I've owned, are the rails greased? Also there's
a mechanical system so the defector pops up when it's open and those parts are plastic, get
brittle and brake. A2157820131 & A2157820231 are broken on my W203 and I had to clean out
the broken bits.
NP
a mechanical system so the defector pops up when it's open and those parts are plastic, get
brittle and brake. A2157820131 & A2157820231 are broken on my W203 and I had to clean out
the broken bits.
NP
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,275
Likes: 172
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Yeah, that's a pretty vague diagnostic.Right up there with the total lack of info you are providing.
Was the motor turning when it failed?, you'd know if it makes a horrible sound.
If it's just the motor, that's easy. And parts are available used easy.
Like check ebay.
Did you get a written estimate? Post it.
Might just be the gears grinding. There's a fix which involves
putting a washer or 2 on the bolt and tightening.
1st we need more in-formation. IN for mation!
Meanwhile, do not attempt to use it!
You'll fry the gears.
As far as "most people" having problems, mostly it's on the pano
sunroofs, not the standard ones. And not at only 55K miles.
See the attached doc.
Remove this (doesn't even require tools)
and you'lll see the motors.
Maybe your car came with a strange looking crank? Or use metric Allen wrench.
it did new, it's for closing the sunroof. Can you open and close manually without the motor?
Just a little, too see if the wind deflector goes up and down. Gently.
Was the motor turning when it failed?, you'd know if it makes a horrible sound.
If it's just the motor, that's easy. And parts are available used easy.
Like check ebay.
Did you get a written estimate? Post it.
Might just be the gears grinding. There's a fix which involves
putting a washer or 2 on the bolt and tightening.
1st we need more in-formation. IN for mation!
Meanwhile, do not attempt to use it!
You'll fry the gears.
As far as "most people" having problems, mostly it's on the pano
sunroofs, not the standard ones. And not at only 55K miles.
See the attached doc.
Remove this (doesn't even require tools)
and you'lll see the motors.
Maybe your car came with a strange looking crank? Or use metric Allen wrench.
it did new, it's for closing the sunroof. Can you open and close manually without the motor?
Just a little, too see if the wind deflector goes up and down. Gently.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Nov 1, 2017 at 05:46 PM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 228
Likes: 39
From: Peoria, IL
2007 C350 2015 ML400 1968 Ford Mustang
The only problem I have had, as Nektopoli eluded to, was my sunroof was struggling to close. This was because it needed to be cleaned and greased. I did that and it closed like new. Now I do it every 35kish miles. I have now 135000 and never replaced the motor. However, if I never greased the rails, yeah I could see burning up the motor.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,012
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
They do fail pretty often, based on how many come into the shop, but I agree that it's normally a lack of maintainence, they rely on a few small plastic parts to take a great deal of stress, the rails need to be clean and well lubricated, along with the rubber seals.
I hate sunroofs, such a fragile system. They also kill us on warranty times to repair them, the new 117/205/222 pano roof system break all the time and it's usually the same small plastic parts. Will be bad as they come out of warranty, as the rails are very expensive.
I hate sunroofs, such a fragile system. They also kill us on warranty times to repair them, the new 117/205/222 pano roof system break all the time and it's usually the same small plastic parts. Will be bad as they come out of warranty, as the rails are very expensive.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 110
From: WNY
2005 w203 C230
Agree. Maintenance and prevention are the best friends of the sunroof.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-G...NYW~CV&vxp=mtr
Also, check the Owner's Manual for the "Z" wrench to manual close the sunroof.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-S-...BW5JkO&vxp=mtr
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-G...NYW~CV&vxp=mtr
Also, check the Owner's Manual for the "Z" wrench to manual close the sunroof.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-S-...BW5JkO&vxp=mtr
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Texas
C230 Sport
Quick follow up. Go up to the local indy MB guy. He looks at it, comes in and says, "works fine". We go look, and sure enough, back/forth, up/down, fine. No strange noises from motor (there never were). But, we find out the wind deflector is no longer there. MB did't put it back (ok, it was broken), but at least leave part in car., and tell me But w/o it, the roof works fine.
When I ask MB service advisor if she can do something on replacing defector only, she says, "We can give you 10% off". But there's LOTS of work to be done to install it. That ended that conversation.
My guy greased up the rails. Thank you for the lube reference on Ebay - nice...I will keep 'em greased going forward. And, I'm not sure i'm going to replace it anyway. If I do, I'll buy on Ebay, have him install it for me. Now, I see why they are referred to as "Stealers".
Thx for the feedback guys.
When I ask MB service advisor if she can do something on replacing defector only, she says, "We can give you 10% off". But there's LOTS of work to be done to install it. That ended that conversation.
My guy greased up the rails. Thank you for the lube reference on Ebay - nice...I will keep 'em greased going forward. And, I'm not sure i'm going to replace it anyway. If I do, I'll buy on Ebay, have him install it for me. Now, I see why they are referred to as "Stealers".
Thx for the feedback guys.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,275
Likes: 172
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
They removed and kept your wind deflector? Huh? That must look pretty wierd.
Yeh, the Z wrench is what I was referring to.
Most sunroof threads around here refer to the Pano roof,
and I have a large collection of documents gleaned from the WIS for the
C Coupe, but not the sedan.
As far as cleaning, there are 2 things used on Mercedes, one is a liquid the other a grease.
The Mercedes grease comes in a huge container.
You can buy a small amount here
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-.../0019894651~a/
Here's the pn's for both products
001 989 50 51 (Dupont Krytox GPL-105 )
001 989 14 51 Grease
I recommend ___ for the rubber seals, (can't remember right now will post when I find it.)
It's a UV protectant, that keeps the rubber from sticking to the glass, which can
cause a lot of undue stress on things, and protects the rubber.
Yeh, the Z wrench is what I was referring to.
Most sunroof threads around here refer to the Pano roof,
and I have a large collection of documents gleaned from the WIS for the
C Coupe, but not the sedan.
As far as cleaning, there are 2 things used on Mercedes, one is a liquid the other a grease.
The Mercedes grease comes in a huge container.
You can buy a small amount here
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-.../0019894651~a/
Here's the pn's for both products
001 989 50 51 (Dupont Krytox GPL-105 )
001 989 14 51 Grease
I recommend ___ for the rubber seals, (can't remember right now will post when I find it.)
It's a UV protectant, that keeps the rubber from sticking to the glass, which can
cause a lot of undue stress on things, and protects the rubber.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Nov 2, 2017 at 02:50 PM.
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