washed my '19 E63S, opened panoramic sunroof to see if there's any debris, was just dusty so I wiped it with a rag, then tried to close it again and now it won't fully close anymore. When I try to close it, it goes all the way to about 2" and then it opens a bit again & stops . . . motor seems to function just fine and there is no debris anywhere. Seems like there would be a safety mechanism somewhere preventing it from closing . . . I attempted several electronic reset directions that I found online but so far nothing did the job, it always goes to the same spot and stops functioning . . . does anybody have any thoughts on that?

 

Have not experienced this, but I know a general rule when windows are acting up and not closing all the way on modern cars is to open all the way and continue holding down on the switch for a few seconds after it reaches fully open, and then hold up on the switch to try and "train" where the open and close positions are. I assume you already tried this as part of the electronic resets?

Also may be good to check battery charge and health, always seems to be a possible culprit of electrical issues on these cars but not sure if its related here.

 

has similar issue recently on another make vehicle of mine and did a battery pull for 10 min and it started working.

also you can pull fuse associated with sunroof to let the controller reset.

otherwise sounds like a dealer trip

Can you push it along with some hand power when it approaches this resistance zone to overcome the resistance?

 

There was a post on this way back when. If I recall correctly it was early in 2018.

Don't recall the resolution but I think it was likewise after washing the car. I had the same issue but don't now recall what the resolution was. Wasn't pulling a fuse, but maybe something like doing the hard lock with the key fob - like double pressing the lock button and then unlocking or something like that. Whatever it was I was able to get the sunroof closed again without a dealer trip or fuse reset.

 

battery has been pretty low and its been on the charger on and off as I don't drive it far enough & long enough most of the time so that may be an issue? I did pull fuse, kept it out for 10 minutes and put it back in to no avail. Attempted to assist by pushing while closing but same thing happens. Goes to the same spot and reverts back to opening . . . can't shake the feeling that its got something to do with the anti pinch mechanism. A system reset needs to be initiated with the sunroof closed completely which isn't an option. Forcibly override the pinch protection won't work either ... have a dealer appointment but earliest they can see car is Monday so I'll likely be out until then . . .

 

And you can't risk rain .. right - the thing is always open now? Let us know what they say

 

yup, it’s always open a few inches so she’ll be parked in the garage with battery charging til Monday 😠

 

Any soft codes? Modules with errors?

The other thing to try is open the sunroof all the way, and then close it and before it gets to this pinch point push it back so it feels a new pinch point and let it retract all the way back open. Then close it again and see if it reset the anti-pinch mechanism.

 

just tried that . . . negative

don't have a code reader, may have to go buy one now but given the likely expense of a repair (and probably a new battery to top it all off) I need to tread somewhat lightly . . .

one thing I just noticed is on the drivers side, I closed it as far as I can go before activation and the driver side is 'hooked in' where the passenger side is not. I was able to operate the slider while watching and the moment it gets close to closing, the plastic hook goes up on drivers side and prevents it from closing all the way. I imagine that's the pinch safety mechanism working . . .







passenger side

drivers side

 

drivers side - pinch mechanism engaged

passenger side - no restriction

 

This I believe proofs that the pinch mechanism is indeed the culprit but I know not how to circumvent that, likely a dealer/computer issue . . . it just doesn't make any sense that the pinch mechanism is engaging as there is no restriction whatsoever. At least not visible . . .

maybe somebody with the same vehicle could look at the same spots close up and compare? One thing that I can't get over is the little lever that pops out when nearing closing which likely is connected to (or is) the actual pinch mechanism, where should that little lever be positioned when it comes out? Underneath the metal rod, above the metal rod or on the same level?

 

Can this hook be depressed so the thing closes - like last minute push on it downward before the sunroof full closes?

 

haven’t attempted that but I doubt I’m able to push it down because the small lever underneath which I assume is part of pinch mechanism keeps the hook from going down and not engage the roof

 

apparently battery was at end of its life or a bit beyond so that’s getting replaced right now. We’ll see if after that things start to work properly but I doubt it. I’ll report as soon as I find out

 

Based on current developments and whatever I find out from dealer on Monday I’ll likely have to make the decision if I want to spend a possibly significant amount of money to get sunroof repaired or walk away from my beloved car that’s got almost at 100k. And that’s right after new tires and a brake job not too long ago … maybe it’s a sign …

 

Follow up: car was dropped off at dealer and I received a quote of $4,100 for repair . . . Parts are ordered and car should be done early next week . . . I asked if it would be possible to just close the sunroof and leave it be but I was explained that it would be a fairly involved process to even get to the point to determine if it can be done but apparently there is no guarantee that it would be possible so I'm really not left with any choice . . .

 

good Lord. $$$

thx for the follow up

 

😱. What parts failed ? If it involves some sorts of module, then i can see … but still it should not cost that kinds of money, imo.

 

I’ve spoken to a couple other sources and individuals who had that done and it was twice as much so maybe I should consider myself lucky …

 

Duct tape a fraction of the price. Available in a wide range of colors and easy to reapply ;-)

Wonder if they supply a tube of Preparation H with the repaired car? That hurts.

 

Definitely curious to find out what part(s) failed. I hope they are confident this is the required fix.

 

you should consider yourself lucky and it's also allowed to consider yourself ripped off. Both can be true. I would feel both.

any goodwill from Benz on this?

 

this is what I found out:

The guide rails left and right are broken, they run through a part called the guide tubes, so when the guide rails break, they start to close crooked and when this occurs it damages the gears on the gear motor. The repair that needs to be done when this occurs is to replace both guide rails, both guide tubes and the gear motor. There is a bulletin from Mercedes that states when a guide rail breaks these are the parts that must be replaced to make sure the sunroof doesn't fail immediately and to ensure warranty on the repairs. This repair is very labor intensive and requires removal of the headliner . . .

 

I consider myself lucky in the fact that its not 7k or 8k as I've been told by other sources, but feeling ripped off goes without saying as its beyond ludicrous how they can justify cost of repair & replacement. I've considered an independent shop as well but there aren't too many worthwhile options around here and if there is one, they're likely a couple weeks or more out, plus the fact that parts/labor likely WOULD NOT be under warranty . . . and I'll need a lifetime supply of Preparation H to help bare that pain . . .

haven't contacted Mercedes Benz yet as 1. I'd have no idea who to talk to, 2. Very unlikely that it would be considered anything else besides wear and tear . . .

 

Thanks for sharing the details. I wonder what causes the guide rails to fail.