Jun 12, 2015, 07:10 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Why won't my sunroof open
Guide to diagnose trouble and recommended solutions
Pano roof sunroof and sunshade problem
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville, FL
05 White Pano E55, Cadillac CTS-V
Pano roof sunroof and sunshade problem
I am having a couple issues, I have been away from home a lot so not many miles have been driven in the past 6 months and I rarely open the sunroof so I can't remember but it doesn't make sense to be right.
First, when opening the sunroof for it to travel back giving you an opening to the sky, does it stop in intervals? I don't remember it doing this before and it doesn't make sense to me that it should be. I have to let off the button and then hit it again like 4 times to get the sunroof all the way open and have no clue what would be causing it to do this.
Next and my main concern is the sunshade will not close. I used it the other day opening and closing the shade (left sunroof closed though) and it was fine. I often times always have the shade open but it has been hot as blazes and I want to close the shade but when I went to close it, it just makes grinding sound. I have tried opening all the way and holding the button in the open position and then reclosing, and it won't close the shade and makes the terrible noise.
It is like it doesn't know the roof is closed all the way and is trying to close it more and since it isn't closed (well it is but it thinks it isn't?) the shade won't start closing. Anyone ever experience this? I did some searching and found a few problems but they weren't what I am experiencing so not sure if I just haven't found a similar problem yet with my search terms or what.
It would be awesome if someone did know what was causing this because the sun beating down in to the car is starting to suck big time with it being hot as hell out right now.
Here is a video I took of the roof opening in intervals and then the grinding and sunshade not closing.
First, when opening the sunroof for it to travel back giving you an opening to the sky, does it stop in intervals? I don't remember it doing this before and it doesn't make sense to me that it should be. I have to let off the button and then hit it again like 4 times to get the sunroof all the way open and have no clue what would be causing it to do this.
Next and my main concern is the sunshade will not close. I used it the other day opening and closing the shade (left sunroof closed though) and it was fine. I often times always have the shade open but it has been hot as blazes and I want to close the shade but when I went to close it, it just makes grinding sound. I have tried opening all the way and holding the button in the open position and then reclosing, and it won't close the shade and makes the terrible noise.
It is like it doesn't know the roof is closed all the way and is trying to close it more and since it isn't closed (well it is but it thinks it isn't?) the shade won't start closing. Anyone ever experience this? I did some searching and found a few problems but they weren't what I am experiencing so not sure if I just haven't found a similar problem yet with my search terms or what.
It would be awesome if someone did know what was causing this because the sun beating down in to the car is starting to suck big time with it being hot as hell out right now.
Here is a video I took of the roof opening in intervals and then the grinding and sunshade not closing.
SPONSOR
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,459
Likes: 152
From: Houston/ Austin /Toronto / UAE / Minneapolis / Orlando /Cincinnati
Eurocharged Performance ML63 and TT lambo
going through that myself my friend but with the roof.
Your first thing is all you have to do is reprogram the roof. I don't remember the exact steps but its something like as soon as you get it all the way open hold it in the open position for 10 seconds or something. (same with the windows when you lose power)
The second issue sounds like your motor went out. They have metal gears and when they get damaged its not pretty. Sounds like a machine gun lol.
The motor is a PIA to replace as you have to remove the headliner. I will be doing mine soon enough...might do a write up.
Your first thing is all you have to do is reprogram the roof. I don't remember the exact steps but its something like as soon as you get it all the way open hold it in the open position for 10 seconds or something. (same with the windows when you lose power)
The second issue sounds like your motor went out. They have metal gears and when they get damaged its not pretty. Sounds like a machine gun lol.
The motor is a PIA to replace as you have to remove the headliner. I will be doing mine soon enough...might do a write up.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville, FL
05 White Pano E55, Cadillac CTS-V
I held the button in the open position for like 4 or 5 seconds, maybe I didn't do it long enough. I figured it was something like that. Held it in closed position too with that bad noise going on. I will try again holding it longer to see if it resets. Sucks if it is a motor problem if it entails all that work and I remember reading they are like $800 in the searching I was doing if that is right. Haven't looked them up yet online but sure hope it doesn't cost that much to fix a damn sunshade problem!!
Also, would this be a different motor to control the sunshade? If it was the motor (gears) bad how is the sunroof opening and closing fine through the full motion but then the sunshade just not closing? Guess I need to do some more searching. I figured there was some kind of switch that wasn't engaging or something along those lines.
Also, would this be a different motor to control the sunshade? If it was the motor (gears) bad how is the sunroof opening and closing fine through the full motion but then the sunshade just not closing? Guess I need to do some more searching. I figured there was some kind of switch that wasn't engaging or something along those lines.
Last edited by urbamworm; Aug 14, 2012 at 04:36 PM.
SPONSOR
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,459
Likes: 152
From: Houston/ Austin /Toronto / UAE / Minneapolis / Orlando /Cincinnati
Eurocharged Performance ML63 and TT lambo
I held the button in the open position for like 4 or 5 seconds, maybe I didn't do it long enough. I figured it was something like that. Held it in closed position too with that bad noise going on. I will try again holding it longer to see if it resets. Sucks it is probably a motor problem if it entails all that work and I remember reading they are like $800 in the searching I was doing if that is right. Haven't looked them up yet online but sure hope it doesn't cost that much to fix a damn sunshade problem!!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville, FL
05 White Pano E55, Cadillac CTS-V
I did a google search time instead of through the forum and found a result (which brought me back to the forum). I pulled the #9 fuse in the trunk like the one guy said and it reset it. I was able to push the close button and the shades closed. I then opened them and they were doing the little stages of opening like the sunroof did in the video. I then held the button in the open position for 10 seconds when it was all the way open and also did it in the closed position for good measure. They then opened in one sweep and closed back fine too.
After this I then opened the sunroof back but it still did the intervals of opening. I tried the hold button for 10 seconds but it didn't seem to work, I then went to close the sunshade again and my problem returned. The "machine gun" as you called it was back in full force and the shades wouldn't close. I then went back and pulled the fuse again and it reset again and shades closed right up. I left it at that and am not fooling with it anymore for now.
But having said this, that is odd that resetting it would allow them to close fine but then after the sunroof is opened the problem returned. Not sure what exactly could cause that.
Here is the thread I found. click here
After this I then opened the sunroof back but it still did the intervals of opening. I tried the hold button for 10 seconds but it didn't seem to work, I then went to close the sunshade again and my problem returned. The "machine gun" as you called it was back in full force and the shades wouldn't close. I then went back and pulled the fuse again and it reset again and shades closed right up. I left it at that and am not fooling with it anymore for now.
But having said this, that is odd that resetting it would allow them to close fine but then after the sunroof is opened the problem returned. Not sure what exactly could cause that.
Here is the thread I found. click here
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,083
Likes: 88
you have soo many lil things it could be - could be a simple as a relay switch for the roof, but if grinding is happening "STOP" and don't do ****e - the more times you are hiting the button and grinding the more you are messing up the lil gears in there - I had a similar problem where my roof got stuck open part way and they had to remove the headline and replace the cables (4 I think and 2 motors) - unfortunately it is not a smiple task and all Techs hate it as it is a big pain in the *** - $4K at the dealer to fix - my suggestion make nice with a tech and see if he is an interior specialist or knows one and have him take a look - i had mine done for 2200 in this very fashion - going forward you may want to make sure you service the sunroof/shade- good luck and don't try to tackle it yourself - it will be a FAIL -
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 8
From: Sacramento, CA
Ducati
If you have confidence and the right tools, the whole job takes less than two hours.
This should give you confidence:
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,315
Likes: 4
E55, SL63, ML550
Justinwrock is right in saying keep the machine gunning to a min. The more you do it, the more damage you do to the drive cables. There are separate motors for the glass, vs sunshade operation. Usually what happens is the gear on the motor stripps, and a simple replacement of the motor and very important lube of the roof will fix it. On more severe cases, the cables get trashed and then big $$ to fix.
Edit.. to replace the motor WIS says remove the headliner. You can do this without actually removing the entire liner, but just dropping the front of it. FYI
Edit.. to replace the motor WIS says remove the headliner. You can do this without actually removing the entire liner, but just dropping the front of it. FYI
Last edited by Shifter; Aug 14, 2012 at 10:48 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
2002 C230K
hey man the motor housings warp and I fixed mine by taking them out and creating some shims to force it into position. The machine gun sound is the gears slipping because they not matched up. you can search some old posts and find pics and such about the repair 3 k at stealership mine wa s 0 and a lot of sweat equity. Check out Koningstar 's posts to point you in proper direction good luck
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 639
Likes: 33
From: London UK
E63s s213 2019 ,SOLD E63 Weistec, E55, C36
opening in steps you have to normalise the pana roof, mine does this when i disconnect the battery.
just open all the wayy and close all the way and it should start opening normally after that.
just open all the wayy and close all the way and it should start opening normally after that.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville, FL
05 White Pano E55, Cadillac CTS-V
Thanks for the help guys, but can you explain the part of the sunshades closing perfrectly if I unplug the fuse in trunk and then put it back in? I am just trying to understand how one second I push the button to close the shades and get the machine gun (which people are saying the gears are messed up in a motor, or warped or whatever) ,but then simply walking to back of car, pulling fuse #9 and reinstalling allows me to go back to front of car and hit the button and shades close perfectly. If the motor/gears/etc, were bad causing that issue how does it become fixed from a system reset by fuse?
I then can open and close the sunshade as many times as I want, but then as soon as I open the sunroof and close it back I then have the machine gun issue again and shades won't close. But the magical fuse pull fixes broken gears and warped motors to allow the shade to close perfectly with nothing else done?
I am not doubting that one of the things mentioned is the problem, I just can't wrap my head around how a mechanical failure (a gear broke, warped motor/etc) then works perfect 15 seconds later with the fuse reset being the only thing done so that has me a little confused.
I then can open and close the sunshade as many times as I want, but then as soon as I open the sunroof and close it back I then have the machine gun issue again and shades won't close. But the magical fuse pull fixes broken gears and warped motors to allow the shade to close perfectly with nothing else done?
I am not doubting that one of the things mentioned is the problem, I just can't wrap my head around how a mechanical failure (a gear broke, warped motor/etc) then works perfect 15 seconds later with the fuse reset being the only thing done so that has me a little confused.
Last edited by urbamworm; Aug 15, 2012 at 10:34 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 8
From: Sacramento, CA
Ducati
There was a post by a gentleman who owns an E63 on the headliner removal, complete with the directions for headliner removal from WIS. I do not have the link handy here at work, but should have it on my home computer.
One "gotcha" though - if you have ever had the windshield replaced on your car, getting the headliner out up front can be a slight PITA. On mine, the glass company went a little crazy with the glue, and some was stuck to the headliner, making it a PITA to pull out. eventually got it out with a heat gun and some patience.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,510
Likes: 1,513
From: Orbiting the planet
This place is a joke.
Sometimes you can remove the rubber mounting grommets on the motor(s) then reinstall them and this will fix your "machine gun sound" ...this tightens the clearance from the motor gear to the sunroof cable.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,510
Likes: 1,513
From: Orbiting the planet
This place is a joke.
Also, try pushing up on the headliner where the noisy motor is...if you press the right spot right underneath the motor sometimes it will work and then you know the problem, but keep in mind sometimes the ccomponents seize inside the sunroof mechanism and none of this will help.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington,NC
E63
I had to do some pano work too. Mine started grinding gears and would not close unless i helped it along with my hand while holding the switch. I used the tool to close it the rest of the way and left it until I read about the fix here.
The housing on the motor becomes bent over time and it allows the drive gear to disengage from the cables that move the glass. Hence the machine gun sound. If you keep making it do this it will wear off the edges of the drive mechanism for the glass and then you are in big bucks for repair. I got a $6600 estimate from the dealer to fix this.
Ultimately I did the fix myself by dropping the headliner enough to get the motor out. The headliner does not have to come all the way out but it does involve the front, middle, and rear pillars as well as the lighting console between the roof openings.
When you get the motor out you can see how the gear cover gets flexed, sorry I had pics but my computer bit the dust and took them too. If you just replace the moter the same thing will happen again over time. The cover has just 3 bolts where it should have been designed with 4 to prevent this. The motor is Bosch, not made by MB but hey they decided to use it. Poor choice.
I straightened the cover then used a galvanized junction box cover with a hole in it (home depot $1.29) and cut it out to the shape of the motor cover. Then JB welded it to the outside so it will not flex over time again.
Put it all back together, synchronize it, and was good. Hope this helps.
search Pano Roof Files and you should be able to find the directions for dropping the headliner
The housing on the motor becomes bent over time and it allows the drive gear to disengage from the cables that move the glass. Hence the machine gun sound. If you keep making it do this it will wear off the edges of the drive mechanism for the glass and then you are in big bucks for repair. I got a $6600 estimate from the dealer to fix this.
Ultimately I did the fix myself by dropping the headliner enough to get the motor out. The headliner does not have to come all the way out but it does involve the front, middle, and rear pillars as well as the lighting console between the roof openings.
When you get the motor out you can see how the gear cover gets flexed, sorry I had pics but my computer bit the dust and took them too. If you just replace the moter the same thing will happen again over time. The cover has just 3 bolts where it should have been designed with 4 to prevent this. The motor is Bosch, not made by MB but hey they decided to use it. Poor choice.
I straightened the cover then used a galvanized junction box cover with a hole in it (home depot $1.29) and cut it out to the shape of the motor cover. Then JB welded it to the outside so it will not flex over time again.
Put it all back together, synchronize it, and was good. Hope this helps.
search Pano Roof Files and you should be able to find the directions for dropping the headliner
SPONSOR
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,459
Likes: 152
From: Houston/ Austin /Toronto / UAE / Minneapolis / Orlando /Cincinnati
Eurocharged Performance ML63 and TT lambo
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Mercedes Benz C350 Sport
Sunroof Problem
I just bought a 2009 C350 sport AMG. my sunroof worked fine, but now when i go to close it it is like skipping its like snapping your fingers every 2 seconds but opens just fine as well when i open it up but when it goes back down or closes it is weird because the switch makes a weird noise too. any suggestions
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 72
From: Indianapolis
2004 E55.98 SS Camaro.Jetta TDI. Expedition
Mine was clicking and not working right. I did the reset video I saw on YouTube and it's been fine for over a year. I would assume you have tried that already
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C230 Kompressor
Thanks for the help guys, but can you explain the part of the sunshades closing perfrectly if I unplug the fuse in trunk and then put it back in? I am just trying to understand how one second I push the button to close the shades and get the machine gun (which people are saying the gears are messed up in a motor, or warped or whatever) ,but then simply walking to back of car, pulling fuse #9 and reinstalling allows me to go back to front of car and hit the button and shades close perfectly. If the motor/gears/etc, were bad causing that issue how does it become fixed from a system reset by fuse?
I then can open and close the sunshade as many times as I want, but then as soon as I open the sunroof and close it back I then have the machine gun issue again and shades won't close. But the magical fuse pull fixes broken gears and warped motors to allow the shade to close perfectly with nothing else done?
I am not doubting that one of the things mentioned is the problem, I just can't wrap my head around how a mechanical failure (a gear broke, warped motor/etc) then works perfect 15 seconds later with the fuse reset being the only thing done so that has me a little confused.
I then can open and close the sunshade as many times as I want, but then as soon as I open the sunroof and close it back I then have the machine gun issue again and shades won't close. But the magical fuse pull fixes broken gears and warped motors to allow the shade to close perfectly with nothing else done?
I am not doubting that one of the things mentioned is the problem, I just can't wrap my head around how a mechanical failure (a gear broke, warped motor/etc) then works perfect 15 seconds later with the fuse reset being the only thing done so that has me a little confused.
I hear you, I have exactly the same problem (though I have not tried the fuse reset yet) I suspect the issue is as you suspect, a sensor somewhere that is faulty and not reporting the sunroof properly closed. if we had an exploded diagram of the electronics and mechanics of the roof i suspect we would be able to locate the fault in no time.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: California
2002 C230 Kompressor Coupe
Hi there,
Not sure if this will help, but my sunshade was also stuck on my 2002 C230 Kompressor since purchasing it used. I tried resetting it several times with no success. It worked for a while after getting it back from the MB dealership, and also after I removed the battery. After being puzzled at why this was happening I looked up stuff online. The thread on here suggesting removing the #9 fuse for a few minutes and then putting it back (it’s located in the trunk on my model) worked for me, thank you!!! Removed fuse, waited, put back, and what do you know, works like new!
Not sure if this will help, but my sunshade was also stuck on my 2002 C230 Kompressor since purchasing it used. I tried resetting it several times with no success. It worked for a while after getting it back from the MB dealership, and also after I removed the battery. After being puzzled at why this was happening I looked up stuff online. The thread on here suggesting removing the #9 fuse for a few minutes and then putting it back (it’s located in the trunk on my model) worked for me, thank you!!! Removed fuse, waited, put back, and what do you know, works like new!
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
ML55
W203 Panorama sunroof issues
Hi I have the same issue you had years ago. Wanted to find out how you were able to resolve. Just to readerships your memory in case you forgot that the sunshade won’t close after the glass. After closing glass the sunshade instead of closing , the glass motor keeps running making grinding noise
your reply would be much appreciated
Orion
your reply would be much appreciated
Orion
