How do you close a sunroof with broken cable?

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Feb 13, 2008 | 03:23 AM

petern12

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From: San Jose, CA

1995 S420 1998 E320 4matic Wagon 1986 300E

How do you close a sunroof with broken cable?

I have a '98 Wagon 4matic. Sunroof is now permanently stuck in the "almost closed" position, with about 1/16" of a gap in front and the rear down about 1/4" BELOW the roof line(my kids playing around with the switch). Needless to say this creates an enormous amount of wind noise at highway speed. Modulating the switch in any direction results in loud, horrible, gear-stripping sounds with no movement of the glass panel, except maybe a barely detectable amount of up and down movement. Turning it manually with the hand crank also resulted in no movement and it was extremely stiff, like the handle was going to break if I don't back off. I'm pretty sure my cable is shot. The previous owner informed me at the point of sale that the sunroof was broken but it was in the perfectly shut position and made no noise at all at speed. My question is: Is there a way to manually(without the hand crank) get it back to the fully closed/sealed position? I'd rather not invest the time/cost in trying to disassemble and fix it since I really don't have use for the sunroof. Thanks.

Feb 13, 2008 | 03:44 AM

Canfred

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From: Australia

E270 CDI

manual sunroof operation.

There should be a key in your toolkit its a hexagonal key two bends , access is behind the front interior light panel.
Insert key and wind manually.
I hope this helps.
Manfred

Feb 13, 2008 | 04:35 AM

petern12

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From: San Jose, CA

1995 S420 1998 E320 4matic Wagon 1986 300E

How do you close a sunroof with a broken cable

Hi Manfred, thanks for your reply. Unfortunately that's already been tried to no avail (Turning it manually with the hand crank also resulted in no movement and it was extremely stiff, like the handle was going to break if I don't back off). This fact seems to point the problem in the direction of the cable. I just want to know if there's a manual way *other than* using the crank to get the sunroof back to the former fully closed/sealed position and leave it like that for good.

Feb 13, 2008 | 06:47 AM

ohlord

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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.

Try

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...d.php?t=171788
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...ad.php?t=96149
it is not an uncommon problem.
Also a good search on one of our forum members sites may turn up more on the diy repair.
www.everythingbenz.com
get out the tools

ohlord

http://w210.pietrzyk.net/disassembly_77glasspanel.htm video

Last edited by ohlord; Feb 13, 2008 at 06:53 AM.

Feb 13, 2008 | 11:05 AM

petern12

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Joined: Feb 2003

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From: San Jose, CA

1995 S420 1998 E320 4matic Wagon 1986 300E

Sunroof with broken cable

Thanks for the links Ohlord. I've actually searched before posting and did see them but believe they don't really apply in my case as the difference is while those two people are able to partially open their sunroof, thus able to assist the opening of the rest of the way by hand, and also being able to raise up the rear, thus being able to get to the accordion parts on the sides and remove them (according to the video). In my case, the sunroof acts as if it's welded in the "almost closed" position, with a slight gap in front and the rear being 1/4" or so *under* the roof line. The manual crank can't move it, manipulating the switch in the forward/up while pushing up and forward on the rear with my other hand won't move it, not even a hair! I believe the panel is impossible to remove in its current state. But really I'm hoping there's a way to just get it back to the fully closed state without having to disassemble and leave it like that for good. Thanks for the everythingbenz link. Definitely a keeper.

Last edited by petern12; Feb 13, 2008 at 11:43 AM.

Feb 13, 2008 | 08:32 PM

Canfred

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From: Australia

E270 CDI

Frozen Sunroof

Hi Petern , sorry I did not read your post properly.
This sunroof problem is very common it seems to be a design mistake , the cable drive is only fixed with one screw. I have some photos of the part if if you like to see these contact me ,the photos show additional fixing.
This and some new lube should make the roof work.
However in your case there is no access the roof needs to be removed the Link from Ohlord has the disassembly.

Feb 13, 2008 | 09:54 PM

petern12

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From: San Jose, CA

1995 S420 1998 E320 4matic Wagon 1986 300E

Sunroof with broken cable *Fixed* well, sort of...

...Out of sheer frustration, with my wife sitting in the passenger seat pushing the switch forward & up, I, from the back seat, placed my head dead center in the rear glass panel, with hands flat on either side of my head pushing straight up(to evenly distribute the upward force LOL) with all my might(and anger), a rather loud screech & ratchet sound resulted and the rear glass panel popped up flush with the roof line and stays dead frozen that way(!)...My freeway ride is once again eerily quiet

...It just go to show what can be achieved when you use your head

....

Manfred & Ohlord, thanks for your prompt replies...you guys are awesome

. Manfred, please email me those pics when you have a chance, maybe I'll work up enough nerve sometimes in the summer and attempt a total disassembly & repair. Cheers!

Peter