FREAKINHEAT

My 91 came without a working sunroof. When you hit the open button, the sunroof doesn't move, but there is a noise from the left side of the steering pod. Between the door and the pod? What is over there that is preventing my sunroof to not open?

FREAKINHEAT

Nothing?

Ducman82

Nothing should be over there. What kind of noise? Have u removed the sun roof motor cover to see if it's moving or getting power?

MainePorsche

Ducman82, where is the central window controller located on MY91 ?
Windows and sunroof are controlled through this - his sound is no where near the window motor as he describes it though.

Tazzieman

I presume the roof can be opened mechanically. To prove it's not gummed up with old grease , or glued shut?
That's a good starting point.
Switch , fuse etc

Alan

It is under the drivers seat.

I'd check the switch (swap with a window switch to test) and then open up the interior roof panel cover and test for reversing power at the motor connector.

Alan

Mrmerlin

add some deoxit spray to the sunroof switch and try it

Jfrahm

I recently had Deoxit fail to improve some window and sunroof switches so I used my time-honored method:

1 - Note the direction of the wires coming off the switch on the switch clips (for proper reassembly orientation)
2 - Pry the switch apart with a couple jeweler's screwdrivers, hold the plastic away from one of the plastic pins with one screwdriver and then pry out another.
2a - don't lose the little brass rectangles in the switch rocker, do this on a clean bench. They will fall right out. A dab of grease will hold them in.
3 - Clean all the contacts with 1000 paper, holding the contacts against the paper by pressing on the parts of the switch the rocker engages. Clean top and bottom contacts, clean all of them. I think there are 4 pairs in a window switch. With the paper folded and the switch contacts forced closed on it you can clean a pair at a time.
4 - (this is where it gets good) Pin the closed contacts open with toothpicks
5 - Brush strong acid on the contacts, I use battery acid left over from filling motorcycle batteries or from a scrap battery and a small paintbrush. This works where just sanding the contacts does not.
5a - Be careful, acid is strong stuff. Wear gloves and eye protection and use your brain. If this is not something you are comfortable with, you might be able to use tile grout cleaner or vinegar and a lot more time.
6 - Keep an eye on your part, the plastic might start to get soft. After a few minutes, rinse off the acid with water and blow dry and/or use 90% alcohol to remove the water.
7 - Spray with Deoxit or similar
8 - Reassemble in the original orientation.
9 - Test before closing up the console.

I'm not sure I'd try this in the car due to the acid spatter, and there is not a lot of slack wire on these switches. They are pretty easy to remove with the console carpet sides off. You can clean the rear wiper switch in the same way, as well as seat switches (which lose little ball bearings when popped apart.)

Cheers,
-Joel.

MainePorsche

Joel, nice work.
I did the surgery described below in addition to cleaning/filing/Deoxit to the switches there. The most important (I think) aspect of the surgery is the whittling down of the plastic edge which impedes the contact from being made. All the Deoxit and cleaning will not help this.
The switches are the most common failure point in the system.

http://members.rennlist.com/v1uhoh/windowSW.htm

Jfrahm

Ooh, I like that. I could see also trimming the alloy tab a bit with a dremel to get more clearance with the switch body. You could also pry up the bottom contact a bit and then glue in a shim or something to hold it securely.

You can get switches for $25 or so but the word on the street is that these replacements are not very good so I prefer to rehab the OEM switchgear.

Thanks,
-Joel.

MainePorsche

So do I.
Get out your Exacto, and do the surgery - the result will impress you.
Craig

FREAKINHEAT

I haven't tried opening it with the sunroof tool, but I should try that first.

I swear the noise seems to be coming from the left of the steering pod.

Ducman82

Did you check to see if the motor is getting power?

FREAKINHEAT

Sorry for delay. How do you check for power? Please don't say multimeter

MainePorsche

Yep, sorry - easy though - set for simple voltage measurement - access motor connection under the ceiling cover - plug in your DVM plugs (either way - doesn't make a difference) to the incoming 2 pin harness - ignition ON and press the roof button - you should see voltage - if you don't either your switch/violation of wires from switch/ fuse 18 - but why?/Window-Sunroof Controller - but doubtful for your windows work(?), but not excluded is the cause.
If you have voltage there, but no motor function than the motor is the issue.
Track along these lines.