The initial problems with my sunroof (on my 98 E320) was that when I opened the sunroof, the roof would open 4" then begin to make noises. I noticed that sunroof would begin to pull more on one side. The sunroof would close without any noises/problems.

I removed the headliner and dropped the sunroof mechanism. I discovered that the sunroof cable was bending on both sides when the sunroof started to make noises. The sunroof cable consists of a coiled wire (1/4" dia.) with a felt-like material in the center. The cable design seem to be a bit flimsy for its function (especially for a 50K$ car).

I tried to "adjust" the cables by removing the motor (located above the front dome light). With the motor removed I pulled the cables from both sides to take up any slack, then reassembled the motor (note that the sunroof was in the full open position).

This seemed to help a little but I noticed that the cables started to bend again. I believe that the only fix is to replace the sunroof cables.

Anyone have any experiences with a similar W210 sunroof problem?

__________________
Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

Ray, The same thing just happened on my 98 e 430 last week. The dealer fixed in 1/2 day and stated they replaced the sunroof tray. If you need a part number to help, e mail me and I will get it of the invoice. Mark

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98 E430(sport), 99 ML 320 (sold) , 05 C 230(sport) Mark

Bending sunroof cables are normally caused by insufficient guidance. I think you need to replace the sunroof tray (as Mark was saying) in order to prevent the (renewed) cables from bending.

greetingz,

__________________
1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)

My 300SE sunroof can open, but can't close as neat as it should. A portion of it still hangs in, and I would just bang my fist from the inside to make it level.

Is this a tray problem too??

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Nope,

This sounds like a fine-tuning problem. The sunroof's plate can be adjusted in height (front, rear, left, right) after the upholstery is removed, so that it fits neatly (as it should).
This problem can be caused by the velvet-like trim as well (when it is sticking out too far). It depends on whether and when the sunroof closes well or does not (tilt/slide).

greetingz,

__________________
1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)

So its safe to narrow it down to the tuning of the plates. How am I to determine the exact glide?

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Thanks for the advice.

Now you got me thinking about the sunroof tray. When I had the sunroof down I noticed that there were 4 screws (on each side) toward the rear of the sunroof which held the tray against the cable (note this is where the cable came out when I opened the sunroof). I noticed that the screws were not even snug. Maybe if I snug up the screws a little bit then the cable will remain in the tray when I open the sunroof.

I still feel that using a 1/4" dia. coiled wire is a flimsy design to operate the sunroof. My 1988 Honda has a stronger sunroof cable and it still works.

Does anyone know if the sunroof cable is supposed to be lubricated?

__________________
Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

rjnonnie,

Could you tell me how you went about removing your headliner. I need to get into mine and take a look at what's going on in there. Sometimes my roof opens and sometimes it won't. Another thing that is that when it's open and I drive say 20 miles it won't close until it's left alone, car switched off for an indefinte period of time, maybe 10 minutes, maybe 30 or sometimes overnight. And as I said sometimes it just won't open. It's baffled the dealer needless to say.
I've had the control switch changed and I now thinking the motor needs to go. Any advice?

__________________
Tolahouse 97 E420
Azure Blue - Xenon Headlights
Pioneer HU/EQ/CD, PPI AMPS, MB Quartz Speakers
Brabus 19inch Monoblock5 2pc/245/275Yokohama AVS Sports
H&R Springs/Bilstein Shoxs
"Sound, Power & The Ride"
0o=|=o0

The headliner is difficult to remove, if you never removed a headliner before then you might want to take it in and have it done.

I removed the front, center and rear side panels first. Then I removed the sunvisors and front light assembley.
Then the trim around the sunroof. The headliner has clips facing the rear of the vehicle - carefully shift the headliner to the front and pull down the rear of the headliner. The headliner should rest on the head rests of the seats, you may need to disconnect the wiring to the dome lights.

I would not remove the headliner at this time. First move the sunroof back a few inches - you may need to use the special wrench if necessary. Then remove the front dome light assembley. The sunroof motor is located above the front dome light assembley - remove it. You should know be able to move the sunroof back and forth with your hands.

If the sunroof sticks then further investigation may me required - the cable and/or guide may need replacing.

If the sunroof move freely then visually check the sprial of the spring while manually moving the sunroof while looking at the cable through the opening where you removed the sunroof. If this looks ok then manually move the sunroof fully open. Then move the sunroof switch to the full open position with the sunroof motor still out. Then bolt the sunroof back in place. The aligns the sunroof motor with the sunroof position.

If the sunroof motor won't move when you engage the switch, make sure you have the key in the ignition and in position 2. Check the connection of the cable to the sunroof motor. Make sure you have power going to the switch. Check the switch , make sure you have power going to the motor with the switch engaged. Last check the motor.

Good luck.

__________________
Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

Thanks for the info rjnonnie, I'll definitely give this a try before I go for the headliner. For some reason though I kind of feel this maybe an electrical issue. Do you think re-wiring the sunroof would be worth it if all else fails, as in tracing the wiring harness?

[Edited by Tolahouse on 04-14-2001 at 04:59 PM]

__________________
Tolahouse 97 E420
Azure Blue - Xenon Headlights
Pioneer HU/EQ/CD, PPI AMPS, MB Quartz Speakers
Brabus 19inch Monoblock5 2pc/245/275Yokohama AVS Sports
H&R Springs/Bilstein Shoxs
"Sound, Power & The Ride"
0o=|=o0

Tolahouse,

Based on the sympthoms you described, I think your sunroof problem is related to a loose/bad electrical connection.

First I would do a visual check of the wiring harness connections to the switch and the motor. Check for broken/frayed wires to the pins and snug fitting of the pins to the sockets. Also check for pinched wires.

Next I would take a mulimeter and check for voltage to the switch and then to the motor. If you don't get a voltage reading then try jiggling the wiring harness.

Last I would check the wiring harness and switch with an ohmmeter.

Keep me posted on the outcome.

__________________
Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

Anyone?

__________________
~there is no spoon~

1984 300CD Turbo Diesel (soon to be "powered by VEGGIE") - dolphin silver

1999 e430 Sport blk/blk, my sexy ***** ;-)

(my other girls)
1992 300CE 24V 3.0L (w124) (R.I.P. "she was killed 7/12/03 by some ricer kids speeding in a honda accord")
1990 Acura Integra RS (w/94' engine)
1966 Cadillac Sedan de Ville (Hardtop)

Well after all this time, I bit the bullet and installed $85 of sunroof cables. The sunroof werks like new!

I even replace the sunroof cable without removing the headliner.

__________________
Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

A bit late coming in now but this might help anyone else with sunroof problems; http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb1.asp?TP=1&F=210065%5F45P&M=112%2E941&GA=722%2E607&CT=F&Cat=45P&SID=78.

I am just about done repairing my sunroof. I had the same problem, the cable were popping out of the track right at the access plates. So far I have replaced the cables, one lift mechanism, lubed the tracks (NOT THE CABLES) with sunroof grease bought from a Mitsu. dealer, (evidently they have a superior grease according to my MB service rep) During the process I discovered the controller portion of the motor is not functioning properly. The microswitch that determines when sunroof is raised is not working and the motor keeps trying to raise roof further than it should. This is the part that I am waiting on from Germany. I wish that I had take pictures during disassembly, however I found the MB DVD to be very helpful with the little video "how to" section.

__________________
Dennis
2006 E320 CDI Black/Black Leather. Nav, HTD Seats HK stereo 32000 miles.
2000 VW Passat 1.8t 300,000 miles as of Dec 09, 2009 original owner
1997 E300d Silver 300,000 miles As of Jan 05, 2010
3rd owner SOLD