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Sunroof cable replacement tutorial
Topic Started: Sat Feb 13, 2010 2:59 pm (11,948 Views)
kentronix
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I'm only really here for the Kitchens

Well, that was far easier than expected. It feels a bit sily posting this as a tutorial but I took the pics expecting more work so if this helps other people realise how easy it is then thats good :)

Here is where mine is broken, the end that bolts onto the roof panel itself has ripped off.
Posted Image

To get to this remove the inner trim panel. To do this, open the roof half way (somehow), pull the front edge of the inner trim down until the clips pop off, then forward, then bend it slightly and lift it up and out of the car through the roof.

Here is the bracket that should be bolting the cable to the roof panel. Its integrated to the end of the cable so if this is broken you WILL need a new cable, not just a new bracket.
Posted Image

Using the sunroof switch put it so its in the fully up position, doesnt matter if the roof doesnt move your just pushing the cable out of the gearbox.

Then get a pair of vise-grips or pliers onto the end of the cable and pull it out. It will be dirty and greasy so mind your interior !! It goes all the way to the boot so its about 5ft long.

Once its out, stick the new one in and push. It really is as easy as that. Probably best to grease it but mine was secondhand so already greased.

As you get to the end make sure the cable is twisted the right way so the bracket is the right way up, when you feel strong resistance get on the switch and pull the cable in with the motor by pressing to open the roof, ie, slide open. Once the bracket is lined up do the bolts up.
Posted Image

I expected to have to adjust it all to get it right afterwards but in my case it just works perfectly without adjustment.


Here is the plastic boot lining that the motor lurks behind.
Posted Image

Here is the motor and gearbox. In my case I didnt actually need to bother going in the boot at all, it was all done from within the car.
Posted Image
Edited by kentronix, Sat Feb 13, 2010 3:02 pm.
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balamb37
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Grumpy Old Grampa with Dog
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Nice one Kenny, no need to feel silly, ALL tutorials are good and will no doubt help someone,

It would be a good idea to "Pin" it so it's easy to find. ;)
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kentronix
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I'm only really here for the Kitchens

all tutorials I spot are linked to from the 'tutorial thread':-
http://mercedes-190.co.uk/topic/6528666/
otherwise we get too many pinned things which interfere with usage, well I reckon anyway :) well the questionnaire will decide :)
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rhysmangatmotorsport
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Mangatmotorsport
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top job Kenny...
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derin100
More than part of things
[ *  *  * ]
After finally getting my Black Sportline Chassis'd car 'finished' yesterday with its new braided flexible brake lines, new metal pipes at the rear, water pump, poly-belt, fuel filter in place etc and after having already spent the thick end of £5K on the car and after having spent ages during the really cold weather finally getting really good heat out of the heater...and after we finally get some sunny weather I decide I'll now enjoy one of the features I've been really looking forward to (which was previously working) and guess what?

Yep....frigging sunroof has stopped working!!! ^o)

Fuse is ok, power getting to the switch is ok and I can hear something going on if I sit in the passenger-side rear seat of the car (like a click).

So is this the most likely culprit?
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kentronix
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I'm only really here for the Kitchens

It does sound like the cable but unless you can hear something going on in the roof its more likely to be further down. If its further down unfortunately its not possible to pull the cable out this way. I havent done it myself so don't know how to get it out to be honest.

You may find its something in the sunroof gearbox or the white kknob on the gearbox may have been pulled out. If it is give it a bit of a twist and it should drop back in (I think).
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PARI
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Addicted
[ *  *  *  * ]
When i had an issue with my ignition barrell failing i had a dilemma where i had the roof open and then my key wouldnt turn in the ignition, unlike open door to operate the windows the sunroof doesnt which is a bummer. then i remembered there is a manual winder at the motor where kenny kindly illustrated. I didnt know what i was doing but i pulled the white cog thing out and proceeded to turn it not knowing nothing was moving, so i gave up. anyhow when we got the key working and actaully resumed power, the sunroof switch fucntioning was messed up. pussing the button up to create the tilt was not working and it hard to get it completely shut now, ia m very reluctant to use the roof as i thing my action has caused it to go doolally. can anyone shed any light on this.

PS it does work but just not how it should be working.
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khimani_mohiki
Part of things
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the white knob adjusts the postions of the micro switches which tell the motor that the lid is closed
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Michael
Needs Help
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Iv'e noticed of late , that the sunroof on the 2.6 Sportline, when it is closed tight, drops a couple of mm after a journey, I'm wondering why!
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PARI
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Addicted
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MICHAEL
Tue Apr 13, 2010 11:19 pm
Iv'e noticed of late , that the sunroof on the 2.6 Sportline, when it is closed tight, drops a couple of mm after a journey, I'm wondering why!
i have a lopside full closure too matey, dont know why it sags to one side cant remember of hand what side sags.
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derin100
More than part of things
[ *  *  * ]
Hmmm....this is beginning to sound like a trip to Andy's to me i.e. it could be something simple or it could be something I could majorly cock-up having never fiddled with a sunroof before! :$
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derin100
More than part of things
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Right! So now I discover/notice today that since having the new remote alarm fitted not only does my previously perfectly functioning sunroof not work....neither does my previously perfectly functioning electric aerial! :blink:

I'm convinced there's a link. I'm sure something has not been connected/wired up correctly. Anyone have any ideas of where to look?
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kentronix
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I'm only really here for the Kitchens

I think those two units share an earth point, if you look in my 5th pic down. At the bottom of the pic, slightly left of centre there is an earth point with lots of wires. If the screw comes loose lots of items loose their earth, I think including the tank sender and rear cluster.

I am not sure but it would make sense if the roof motor is earthed there as its so close.
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Ukmerctechie
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Dir is Kool. WKKP Forever!
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Ha Ha.
I did a sunroof today,and was umming and ahhing about doing a full tuturial,but decided not to bother.
Derin it sounds as if the lifters have seized if you can hear a click when the switch is worked.
Fix it ASAP,as next the teleflex tube will open out and then its a mission to fix(ideally back window out).The customers today ended up with 2 lifters,tube,cable and a chewed up motor gear.
He also asked for a new frame to be fitted as his was rotten.
I have to finish it tuesday so will do a tutorial on the final setup and motor/cable refit.
The white knob is indeed the positon adjuster and it needs setting to allow the switch to work correctly.Michael you will probably find a few felts have ripped up and fell off,allowing the roof to fall on the lifters after a run,the felts are pennies from merc.
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cossie connoisseur
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there can be only one ;-)
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
rebuit all mone during the rebuild, the parts are suprisingly cheap and the tools from mb to set it up are cheap too. pretty much changed the whole lot apart from the frame as it was rust free.
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Michael
Needs Help
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Ukmerctechie
Fri Apr 16, 2010 9:10 pm
Michael you will probably find a few felts have ripped up and fell off,allowing the roof to fall on the lifters after a run,the felts are pennies from merc.
Thanks for the tip Andy. :D

Are they a simple thing to fit?
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Ukmerctechie
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Dir is Kool. WKKP Forever!
[ *  *  *  * ]
MICHAEL
Fri Apr 16, 2010 9:37 pm
Ukmerctechie
Fri Apr 16, 2010 9:10 pm
Michael you will probably find a few felts have ripped up and fell off,allowing the roof to fall on the lifters after a run,the felts are pennies from merc.
Thanks for the tip Andy. :D

Are they a simple thing to fit?
Lifters out and they just push on.
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derin100
More than part of things
[ *  *  * ]
Mine is fixed! (along with the electric aerial).

I took it back to the auto-electrician who had just installed the new alarm (after which both of the above had stopped working). Turns out that during the course of removing the wiring for the old, non-functioning alarm and installing the new one he had inadvertly cut the power supply to both of the above.

So I now have sunshine and radio tunes! :driver:
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matth190
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190 squirt
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Mine is very slow, what should you suggest that I do?
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nyamajr
Part of things
[ *  * ]
kentronix
Sat Feb 13, 2010 2:59 pm
Well, that was far easier than expected. It feels a bit sily posting this as a tutorial but I took the pics expecting more work so if this helps other people realise how easy it is then thats good :)

Here is where mine is broken, the end that bolts onto the roof panel itself has ripped off.
Posted Image

To get to this remove the inner trim panel. To do this, open the roof half way (somehow), pull the front edge of the inner trim down until the clips pop off, then forward, then bend it slightly and lift it up and out of the car through the roof.

Here is the bracket that should be bolting the cable to the roof panel. Its integrated to the end of the cable so if this is broken you WILL need a new cable, not just a new bracket.
Posted Image

Using the sunroof switch put it so its in the fully up position, doesnt matter if the roof doesnt move your just pushing the cable out of the gearbox.

Then get a pair of vise-grips or pliers onto the end of the cable and pull it out. It will be dirty and greasy so mind your interior !! It goes all the way to the boot so its about 5ft long.

Once its out, stick the new one in and push. It really is as easy as that. Probably best to grease it but mine was secondhand so already greased.

As you get to the end make sure the cable is twisted the right way so the bracket is the right way up, when you feel strong resistance get on the switch and pull the cable in with the motor by pressing to open the roof, ie, slide open. Once the bracket is lined up do the bolts up.
Posted Image

I expected to have to adjust it all to get it right afterwards but in my case it just works perfectly without adjustment.


Here is the plastic boot lining that the motor lurks behind.
Posted Image

Here is the motor and gearbox. In my case I didnt actually need to bother going in the boot at all, it was all done from within the car.
Posted Image
hi.I know this is an old post but how do take off the cover on the inside of the sun roof.I need to repair the drain pipes but my roof is sealed up with silicon cause its not working and when it wasn't sealed it was leaking.so I need to take of the 6 screws that hold the metal strip.thanks
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kentronix
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I'm only really here for the Kitchens

Taking the cover off is normally done with the roof half open,if you cant open in you are going to have trouble.

It has some plastic clips holding the front part on,so after pulling down the front and hearing those pop off you pull it fwd and slide it out from above the car, which is done with the roof half open.

Anybody tried with the roof closed ?
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nyamajr
Part of things
[ *  * ]
kentronix
Sat Apr 13, 2013 9:47 pm
Taking the cover off is normally done with the roof half open,if you cant open in you are going to have trouble.

It has some plastic clips holding the front part on,so after pulling down the front and hearing those pop off you pull it fwd and slide it out from above the car, which is done with the roof half open.

Anybody tried with the roof closed ?
ok.thanks.I will give it a try in a sunny weekend(fingers crossed)
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machaulage
Tom190 D
[ *  * ]
nyamajr
Sun Apr 14, 2013 2:10 pm
kentronix
Sat Apr 13, 2013 9:47 pm
Taking the cover off is normally done with the roof half open,if you cant open in you are going to have trouble.

It has some plastic clips holding the front part on,so after pulling down the front and hearing those pop off you pull it fwd and slide it out from above the car, which is done with the roof half open.

Anybody tried with the roof closed ?
ok.thanks.I will give it a try in a sunny weekend(fingers crossed)
If the roof wont open you can open manual with wheel bris. In boot N/S wheel arch there is a 17m nut the same as wheel nut turn antclockwise and that will open the sun roof.
Tom190man
Edited by machaulage, Sun Apr 14, 2013 3:10 pm.
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nyamajr
Part of things
[ *  * ]
machaulage
Sun Apr 14, 2013 3:08 pm
nyamajr
Sun Apr 14, 2013 2:10 pm
kentronix
Sat Apr 13, 2013 9:47 pm
Taking the cover off is normally done with the roof half open,if you cant open in you are going to have trouble.

It has some plastic clips holding the front part on,so after pulling down the front and hearing those pop off you pull it fwd and slide it out from above the car, which is done with the roof half open.

Anybody tried with the roof closed ?
ok.thanks.I will give it a try in a sunny weekend(fingers crossed)
If the roof wont open you can open manual with wheel bris. In boot N/S wheel arch there is a 17m nut the same as wheel nut turn antclockwise and that will open the sun roof.
Tom190man
I did try to close manually but the bolt broke off.so I had to take it to mechanic and he disconnected the wires and closed it.he told me to fix it would cost 400 pounds :X
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nyamajr
Part of things
[ *  * ]
nyamajr
Sun Apr 14, 2013 9:45 pm
machaulage
Sun Apr 14, 2013 3:08 pm
nyamajr
Sun Apr 14, 2013 2:10 pm
kentronix
Sat Apr 13, 2013 9:47 pm
Taking the cover off is normally done with the roof half open,if you cant open in you are going to have trouble.

It has some plastic clips holding the front part on,so after pulling down the front and hearing those pop off you pull it fwd and slide it out from above the car, which is done with the roof half open.

Anybody tried with the roof closed ?
ok.thanks.I will give it a try in a sunny weekend(fingers crossed)
If the roof wont open you can open manual with wheel bris. In boot N/S wheel arch there is a 17m nut the same as wheel nut turn antclockwise and that will open the sun roof.
Tom190man
I did try to close manually but the bolt broke off.so I had to take it to mechanic and he disconnected the wires and closed it.he told me to fix it would cost 400 pounds :X
finally got round fixing my sunroof.i need a new cable,as the metal fitting is bent that attaches to the sunroof.anyone one know where i can get a cable?
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elharraq
Newbie
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Thanks for this one, you helped me :lol:
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DanialA11
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Part of things
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Ok so I stripped the headlining off
Found the braket to be good just bolt missing so I smacked a new bolt in the problem that I'm not having is the sunroof opens fine however closing is the problem the cable gets floppy behind I will attach a photo so you know what I'm talking about
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DanialA11
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Part of things
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Posted Image
That Is what it looks like with no bolts in

Posted Image

And that when I would bolt it up, cables twisted, guessing I need a new cable
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balamb37
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Grumpy Old Grampa with Dog
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Yes that certainly looks like a new cable is needed, but you also need to look at what caused the cable to overstrain itself. To me it looks like one or both the side angles are broken, they are the ones that guide the roof into the slide or lift position. ;)
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DanialA11
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Part of things
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balamb37
Sun Sep 6, 2015 5:45 pm
Yes that certainly looks like a new cable is needed, but you also need to look at what caused the cable to overstrain itself. To me it looks like one or both the side angles are broken, they are the ones that guide the roof into the slide or lift position. ;)
Basically it was over turned because one screw come undone some point in its life, so on side was not tight and was floppy where the other side was bolted tight, over time with people pressing open and close the bracket spun almost 180 degrees and locked itself into that position causing it to twist and now it's like that as it sat in that position for many years
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DanialA11
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Part of things
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And also I belive my roof is only slide not tilt how do I confirm this ?
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PhilG
Part of things
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DanialA11
Sun Sep 6, 2015 7:27 pm
And also I belive my roof is only slide not tilt how do I confirm this ?
See the black bar that the cable was bolted to on the sunroof panel, shunt that forward (both sides at the same time) and the sunroof will tilt upwards. I've just done this so I know it works. ... I thought they are all tilt and slide though.





@kentronix, in another post in the past you were having trouble removing the steel guide rail from the car, and questioning if the rear window had to come out....

Well, It can be done if you totally remove the motor from the boot.
Pull the cable out of the guide rail
Remove all bolts holding the rear of the sunroof cassette to the roof (the front bolts along that edge can remain in place)... This will allow the rear of the cassette to sag.

Then remove the guides clamps on the c pillar (under stuck on sound deadening)

And whole metal guide rail can be pushed into the boot where the motor was. It's important to not bend the guide rail in the casette, but the guide rail can be pulled out as it is being pushed into the boot.

Once free from the casette, bolt the casette up again, and slide the guide rail out and into the cabin space.

Mission. Just did it. But I had the rear window out anyway As the headliner was wrapped around that upper edge.




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Tollie
Part of things
[ *  * ]

@kentronix, just a note of appreciation for this excellent guide to sunroof repair!

The two 8mm bolts with which the bracket is attached to the roof must have worked themselves loose over the 25 years I have had the car and last week there was a nasty grinding clatter when I opened the roof.

I went to the main dealers and the, usually reliable, parts chap categorically stated that I would have to buy the cable as well as the bracket(£54!!)

When I picked it up on the Saturday it didn't have the all-important bracket. On comparing the new cable with my old one, it became apparent that my cable was O.K., so I asked for, and got, my money back. (It was the Parts Manager who was looking after the whole place, being a Saturday, and he said he would investigate on Monday.) I got a call this morning and the bracket had been sent up from Milton Keynes overnight and cost the princely sum of £1.44.

After a few huffs and puffs the job was done.

I'm adding some piccies (including the bag with the parts number on) for future reference.


Cheers.


http://s32.postimg.org/bft3p7i7p/MERCEDES_Detail_of_sunroof_cable_fixing_bracke.jpg

http://s32.postimg.org/fspcire9h/MERCEDES_Damaged_bracket_sunroof_cable_assem.jpg

http://s32.postimg.org/fzmsqxvqt/MERCEDES_Detail_of_sunroof_cable_fixing_bracke.jpg

http://s32.postimg.org/p3m6ho7p1/MERCEDES_Detail_of_sunroof_cable_fixing_bracke.jpg

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