sunroof stuck after checking for water ingress. (G55AMG)
G55 AMG. I found water leaking onto the driver's side A pillar. The alcantara/thing on the pillar was wet.
I opened the sunroof to look at the drain tube - after reading here - and it got stuck 80% of the way back. No clicking noise from the motor but it churned back very slowly until dying. I wound it back manually with a spanner - great tip! and now it doesn't move. I don't think the motor is dead as I heard it clicking once I'd wound the sunroof forward to closed position. Until today it w
orked fine but hasn't been used in a long time. Thoughts?
While I'm at it I want to do all the sunroof seals as the car had been in Dubai and I'm sure that the seals are as dry as the Ghobi desert.
Thoughts?
Sunroof seals are about £40 something from the dealer. There are two drain channels in the sunroof tray (the stationary frame part attached to the roof)- one on front left and other on front right. Probably not an issue in your case, but in many older vehicles, the little drain tubes rust away causing water ingress as you describe. However, do check that they are not blocked (there are some older posts on this subject on the forum). The tubes are attached to small hoses that drain at the rear of the front wheel arches. Gently pour some water into the corners and ensure that it drains out.
Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIAkmgg5DsI
a bit of drain cleaner might help too, I put a small amount in my screenwash to keep the water jets free as well
Thanks for the update.
Weirdly, the sunroof moves back under its own power but doesn't tilt or close. Car will go to a specialist in a few days as I have a few things to look at so I asked him to look/fix.
I'll report back.
You may need to reset the sunroof open/close limits by holding the switch in one of the positions -don't remember which. Otherwise, the tilt and close will not operate properly. The slide rails will need a good clean and lubrication from sand and dust.
Thanks Arnie. (as always). I'll look that up, but won't try today as we have snow and I'm not leaving the house :)
mine broke a few years back and I had it repaired with w126 parts, unfortunately its partially broken again, it will tilt but wont slide back
Update on this one too.
I haven't fixed the sunroof yet (with weather being diabolical and my indie being lazy).
However, I realised that the rear panel where the sunroof motor and cable is installed had taken a hit and got dented when I stupidly lost my MX bike from the rack. No damage to the paint and I had a local company mend it as part of a paint refresh.
Now I am thinking that there's nothing wrong with the sunroof mechanism on the roof, but either the cable is pinched or something in the motor assembly is bent.
Thoughts?
Touchy subject sunroofs on all w463's, whilst the sunroof was open if you had a chance to tighten the screws on the rails at the top manually with a flat head screw driver 90% the rails have moved significantly over the years or never been checked. Quite common on the old or new. At this point it will be easier to take off the headlining slide out from the rear naturally and investigate the serpentine mech above. Or manually open it again then tighten screws on both sides etc....
Just a question did you disconnect the motor before closing the sunroof manually?
Cheers
Gooch
I used the tool and closed it from the motor. Incredibly hard. And it stayed closed. I think it does need a full clean up with new seals etc, plus one of my headlining velcro straps has failed, so there's a little job there already.
updating my own topic as I might be selling the car soon and wanted to fix this.
I am starting to believe the issue is with the switch or controller, as the motor moves the roof back smoothly without an issue, but doesn't even try to move it forward or tilt up.
Moving it manually, even with the motor connected, it works smoothly and does end with the tilting opening properly.
When I'm back next week I'll have a proper look again and see if I can do something about it. knowing it's not the motor or the operation I might even get Mercedes to look at it.
Thoughts?
Being an 'electronic' G, the sunroof is probably controlled through the CAN bus and the rear SAM module. Check first for any blown fuses, though.
Being an 'electronic' G, the sunroof is probably controlled through the CAN bus and the rear SAM module. Check first for any blown fuses, though.
Good point, thanks.
Would these all be near driver's side in that fuse box?
Is it realistic that the fuses would allow the roof to move back but not forward or up?
I now know it's not the motor or mechanism as the resistance to close it manually is the same as to open it (which the motor does just fine).
Trying myself before taking it to Mercedes.
Further - minor - update.
moving the roof manually it tilts upwards perfectly and the back button closes it and winds it back to fullly open position. The rails and mechanism are actually in great shape and free of dirt/debtis - after all the car lived most of its life in Dubai.
I'm narrowing it down to a dodgy switch/fuse/electrical gubbin.
Plan is to have an indie to look at it next week.
would this be a suitable replacement panel?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223499626347
Thanks. The panel looks exactly the same as the one currently installed - and possibly causing an issue. My antenna cover broke off due to the rubber protector perishing in the heat - that was actually the cause for water ingress, the roof was actually totally watertight, so i'm now thinking the control unit in the panel has been damaged by water.
Almost worth buying that for 20 quid and stick it back on eBay if it doesn't work. I removed the panel and connectors are press fit. The total exercise took about 20 seconds.
yes, correct
Final update. It was the switch. The panel needs replacing. I had Mercedes do it. Expensive but not structural. The mechanism, motor, cable were all fine.
Good analysis Sherlock. The control panel you had in mind would have done the job, but I realise the convenience of getting MB to do the fiddling about. I'm the same these days because I always get half way doing something and then don't have the tool, washer, bit needed !! Good luck.
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Thanks for this. I watched the videos.
Sunroof is incredibly stiff to move (It was hard to spin back even with the wrench) so I guess the issue is gunk in the mechanism and having the seals done. Waiting for my indie to get back to me and I'll take the car to him.