95 E320 SUNROOF Headache
 

I checked existing threads but found no matches...sooo

Driving home late one night mean't putting all four windows down and opening the sunroof. Seconds later all I could hear was this piercing, high-pitched squeal coming from the left rear of the vehicle (like a vacuum cleaner beater-bar that is jambed but the motor is still turning and the belt is about to get fried).

Being on a dark, single lane back road, I stuck my head into the
trunk to isolate the squeal: area of antenne motor (working fine)
and decided to drive the 15 minutes to get home.
What was I thinking...?

During this drive the squeal very slowly dissipated to a constant hum/buzz.

This morning I found that the interior sunroof switch had stayed in the "open" position and had not returned to the center/"off"
position - keeping the sunroof motor engaged the entire 15 minutes. (Yeah, I know).

Using the factory supplied tool, I had to close the roof manually.
This worked fine and was very smooth. Afterwards, however, when engaging the switch to either open or close the roof, I could hear the motor (hum/buzz still present) and could see/feel the roof trying to react, shifting just enough to catch the eye but not actually moving it in either direction. When I tried "pulling" the roof closed with my hand and engaging the motor, it was "helping" me, but when I let go all movement stopped and the motor stayed on until I placed the switch in the center position.

NOTE: Prior to this event, the sunroof motor was silent when in operation. Now the hum/buzz is contstant.

O.K.

#1. I need to replace the interior switch- To avoid further damage, do I "pop" the cover from the front, rear, or a
particular side?

#2. What other damage is most likely & in what order should I check ?
motor, belt, gear, cables, etc.

Thanks in advance for all advice. (Arthur- what do you think?)