[s-cars] Sunroof is stuck open

[Tom Rodriguez]

I am happy to report that the sunroof is now operating smoothly.  I followed Tom Green's advice and did a thorough cleaning and lubrication of the tracks.  In the process I located the cause of the raspy sound and the jamming: I recently had the headliner replaced because it was sagging and coming loose in places.  There is a thin piece of plastic trim around the perimeter of the sunroof opening that covers where the headliner tucks up in around the edges of the opening.  This trim piece is only visible from above and only when the sunroof is open.  This trim piece is designed to snap securely into place, but I found it to be flopping loosely on three sides which caused it to scrape against the sunroof during opening and closing.  Apparently the technician who replaced the headliner neglected to re-secure this trim piece at the end of the job.  Ultimately the loose trim piece got in the way and prevented the sunroof from closing.  Fortunately it didn't break.  I snapped the trim piece securely in place and raspy sound is gone.  On to the next task... stay tuned!

Tom Rodriguez
'95 S6, 280K miles

-----Original Message-----
From: S-CAR-List [mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Tom Green
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2017 2:02 AM
To: s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: Re: [s-cars] Sunroof is stuck open

It does not appear from your post that you have been following any PM schedule for the sunroof, Tom.  The sunroof requires frequent cleaning and lubrication of the tracks to keep it operating properly.  Since it is now open, this would be an opportune time to remedy some of the neglect and hopefully eliminate that raspy sound.  If you will assist the sunroof when it starts closing with a gentle push at the center it will usually help the motor close the sunroof once the tracks have been cleaned and lubricated.

I don’t recommend trying to close the sunroof with either the motor or crank until you clean and inspect the tracks.

Tom

> On Saturday, September 2, 2017, at 6:39 PM,Tom Rodriguez <trodri69 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Gents,
> 
> My sunroof is stuck in the open position.  I've taped some plastic 
> sheeting over the opening to keep the rain out. This is working well 
> as a temporary band-aid, but I'll need to fix it correctly before cooler weather sets in.
> 
> 
> 
> The sunroof has always been a bit finicky, sometimes requiring two or 
> three attempts turning the control knob to get it to close fully.  
> About a year ago it started making a rasping sound so I stopped using 
> it.  About two weeks ago I returned from a two-week vacation to find a 
> dead battery. I live on a hill so I started the car by coasting down 
> our street and releasing the clutch.  The car started and with the 
> surge of electricity the sunroof opened spontaneously although the control know was in the closed position.
> I heard the raspy sound as the sunroof slid open, and now it will not close.
> I've turned the control knob to every position including open, closed 
> and tilt, and the sunroof will not close more than an inch or two from 
> the fully open position.
> 
> Any thoughts/advice on how to fix this would be most appreciated.
> 
> Tom Rodriguez
> 
> '95 S6, 280K miles


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