LL

Strange problem, at least to me...during winter my sunroof has picked up a nasty habit. Today I used it for the first time and this is what happens. It opens normally but won´t shut down unless I turn off the ignition and push "open" on the switch. Nothing happens when "close" is pushed. In other words I have to stop the car and stall the engine to close the roof, and not by pushing "close" but "open"...annoying. Could it be corrosion...shortcut of some kind...my electrical skills are as low as the resistance on supraconducting wires. As far as I know nobody should have been messing with the wires except my rear defroster was fixed during winter and there was some problem with the wiring. The problem then was on the passenger side so how likely it is that they are related...thanks in advance

L.Lindgren
Helsinki, Finland <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

TaboII

The problem sounds simple. You may need to check either the micro switch on the sunroof motor connection or possibly the relay. You may want someone who has some skill in checking relays take a look for you if you not sure you can do this with out breaking anything. One way to check and see of the reverse relay is bad would be too.

1) Make sure that the micro switch is still connected with the super mini nuts that holds it into place. You can find the sunroof motor and switch in the driver side rear wheel well. There are two models of this motor pre 85.5 and post. This is for the post 85.5 or updated version of the motor. The small micro switch is white and visible with out taking anything apart "Except for removing the cover. Look directly on the top of the unit just inside the top lip to the inside of the car and you will see the white switch with two screws held on by two small nuts. Make sure both are there and tight. If the small nuts have fallen off you can usually locate them in the bottom of the compartment " Hopefully" If not you can find them at any hardware store just remember to bring the screw to match it up.

I recommend adding in a lock washer to prevent them from falling off in the future. This is what I did and it worked great!

After this is checked and you know that the micro switch is connected correctly. Try your sunroof again. It just might work.

If not you will want to go to step two.

2) To check the relay you will want to use the working relay to do this with. Meaning the relay that operates that upward motion of the roof. This is the relay closest to the driver seat. Simply remove both relays "Don’t get them mixed up" then plug in the relay that works into the socket furthest from the drivers seat. Then go try and lower your roof. If it works then it is the relay and you can pick one up to replace the damaged one. You should be all set. If this dos not work you may want you check the dash switch or the actual wiring. Since you can lower the roof with what seems to be the steps to remove the roof I would say the switch is ok and that the relay is also good. I would suspect the micro switch in the first suggestion. I have been able to successfully get three separate roof working checking the first two and corrected a gear problem on another for a friend. Sorry no pictures but if you have a “Haynes” manual I believe it shows what I am pointing you toward.

Good luck and I hope that this doesn’t confuse you more than it helps.

Keith M
<img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

LL

Thanks for your through instructions Keith. I solved the problem yesterday and it was microswitch related; the white plastic slide which moves along the roof and "controls" the microswitch was loose and stuck so that it held one switch down all the time. I just clicked it back and now the roof works fine...before that I did check the relays and tightened the switch screws (which were quite loose). I just don`t understand why the plastic slide has to come apart in the first place...