911URGE

Finally got around to replacing my sunroof cables this weekend. Completely removed all sunroof parts including the cable tubes behind the zipper and cleaned everything completely. Quite a lot of gunk and gummed up old grease. I installed new velvet seals and started to reassemble.

I did a quick test of the cable operation before everything was back together. The cables dont move. The sunroof motor works fine, I can see the little rubber clutch spinning but I cant see the pinion gear move. If I use the sunroof crank from the toolkit then everything moves fine. I removed all the felt from the new cables and that helped to reduce friction but still no movement unless I use the crank.

Can this little sunroof transmission no longer handle the torque? I would hate to spend $450 on that part if it did not fix the issue. Anyone have any additional thoughts? Can this part be adjusted or repaired or am I doomed to spend the cash?

Group911@aol.com

I just pulled one from a wrecked 89 C-4. Let me study it and see if the transmission is the only possibility.

Indycam

I think I had the same same , years ago . Found a loose screw , it let the gears out of engagement .

911URGE

I had not looked into that possibility. Thanks for the tip.

Largr Porsche swap meet coming up next weekend in SoCal. Maybe I could find a used one.

Sten

I think that the screw you have to remove to fit the manual winder acts as a kind of clutch - try tightening up the screw and see if you get anything.

911URGE

Great suggestion - but no joy.

I pulled the sunroof transmission out and spun the part that connects to the clutch and the pinion turns. I then held the pinion gear with two fingers and again spun the clutch and sure enough, pinion gear does not move. I would guess I had less than 2 lbs of force holding the gear. Sounds like the sunroof transmission is shot. I just cant bear to spend $450 on that part so Ill go hunt down a used part.