2010 MY11 R300 Panaromic Roof problems
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 134
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C63 / E400 Cab
2010 MY11 R300 Panaromic Roof problems
Hi all.
I have trawled through this forum and another for any info on the Panaromic roof. All that I can see is that it is a dealer fix and costly!
I bought mine used a month ago and love the car. It drives well, is packaged well and is so comfortable. I did my research before buying and looked out for airmatic and rear tailgate problems but didn't come across any sunroof issues until I had a problem.
I thought I might see if anyone else has had the same problem / symptoms as me and see if I can diagnose it myself.
Tilting the roof is fine but when I go to slide it back and forth the creaking and cracking that others mention is present. It also stops intermittently but makes it eventually.
I also notice that the cabin lights dim when I am operating mine. Is this a sign of an issue with the motor (struggling causing extra current draw)?
BTW I also tried lubing the rails to no benefit. The clip holding the front shade is also broken (on order) and is permanently open. I don't think this is an out of sync error though as it still appears to run in line with the glass roof.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
I have trawled through this forum and another for any info on the Panaromic roof. All that I can see is that it is a dealer fix and costly!
I bought mine used a month ago and love the car. It drives well, is packaged well and is so comfortable. I did my research before buying and looked out for airmatic and rear tailgate problems but didn't come across any sunroof issues until I had a problem.
I thought I might see if anyone else has had the same problem / symptoms as me and see if I can diagnose it myself.
Tilting the roof is fine but when I go to slide it back and forth the creaking and cracking that others mention is present. It also stops intermittently but makes it eventually.
I also notice that the cabin lights dim when I am operating mine. Is this a sign of an issue with the motor (struggling causing extra current draw)?
BTW I also tried lubing the rails to no benefit. The clip holding the front shade is also broken (on order) and is permanently open. I don't think this is an out of sync error though as it still appears to run in line with the glass roof.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 85
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2007 R320 4matic / Airmatic
I researched this when a friend's C-class sunroof started having the same issues. I found that it is usually due to the sunroof motor drive gear slipping. This could be due to the motor mount rubber bushings having perished and allowing extra slop & movement of the motor, resulting in partial disengagment of the gear. The dealer cure was to replace the motor, but it appears it usually just needs new mount bushings.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 134
Likes: 8
C63 / E400 Cab
Thanks Pete. I didn't think to check other models problem threads until after I posted. The C uses a different type of sunroof but the E class uses the same (system/concept) as far as I can see.
You are right, it all points to the motor/housing/bushes which there is plenty of info available on the web including photos and how to's.
I couldn't find anything specific to the R and might have to be the Guinea pig!
You are right, it all points to the motor/housing/bushes which there is plenty of info available on the web including photos and how to's.
I couldn't find anything specific to the R and might have to be the Guinea pig!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 134
Likes: 8
C63 / E400 Cab
Thought i'd post an update in case anyone has the same problems.
The pano roof is also available on the E class but only uses two motors to drive it. There are some fixes there re perished mounts causing the motor to flex as described by Pete as well as the motor itself flexing causing problems.
So I dismantled it to have a look and ours uses three motors. One for the blind and the other two for the roof.
The motor is in a plastic housing unlike the E class and carries part number A1648201442 (same as W164 ML from what I can see).
I am not sure how to test the motors and tried to run them whilst out of the track. They kept stopping so I am thinking it is a motor or control module problem.
It is a ***** of a job (I only removed the a pillars - and now I cant get them back on properly) and I should have removed the b pillars to to drop the headlining more to give me more space.
I think I will see if I can source cheap motors to attempt a replacement.
The pano roof is also available on the E class but only uses two motors to drive it. There are some fixes there re perished mounts causing the motor to flex as described by Pete as well as the motor itself flexing causing problems.
So I dismantled it to have a look and ours uses three motors. One for the blind and the other two for the roof.
The motor is in a plastic housing unlike the E class and carries part number A1648201442 (same as W164 ML from what I can see).
I am not sure how to test the motors and tried to run them whilst out of the track. They kept stopping so I am thinking it is a motor or control module problem.
It is a ***** of a job (I only removed the a pillars - and now I cant get them back on properly) and I should have removed the b pillars to to drop the headlining more to give me more space.
I think I will see if I can source cheap motors to attempt a replacement.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 556
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2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
sorry to hear about your problem. May be totally unrelated but have you checked your battery? I had trouble to close my tailgate and it kept open back up. End up replacing the battery fixed the problem.
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Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 134
Likes: 8
C63 / E400 Cab
I don't think its a battery problem as it does the same when the car is running.
I can see how it could affect the tailgate as the car isn't normally running when opening/closing.
I managed to get the a pillars on properly. The front section of the clips needed to be pried open a bit to latch onto the metal pillar.
Have also managed to find some 2nd hand motors but don't want to take the risk. Will keep an eye out for some cheap new ones.
I can see how it could affect the tailgate as the car isn't normally running when opening/closing.
I managed to get the a pillars on properly. The front section of the clips needed to be pried open a bit to latch onto the metal pillar.
Have also managed to find some 2nd hand motors but don't want to take the risk. Will keep an eye out for some cheap new ones.
