Hello again,
Second question: I cannot open the sunroof. The motor is trying. It goes up but will not go back. This is supposed to retract between the roof and the headliner. It starts to and then locks up, slightly cocked. I can't even pull it back. I suppose the only way into the rails and all is through the headliner? How big a job is it's removal?

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1988 190E 2.3 (178,000)
FastLane, PartsShop and this forum rule!!!

The motor of the sunroof is located in the trunk, at the left side (drivers side) behind the left plastic trunk panel.
Do you have the tilt/slide sunroof or do you have the slide-only sunroof?
Does it retract at all, or does it do nothing so far?
You probably have a messed up cable or a broken tilt mechanism...the power tilt/slide sunroof on the W201 is not an easy one to work on...they are quiet complicated to take apart (and put back together).

greetingz,

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

Thank you again for the reply. The sunroof will tilt up and come back down. (no problem) It also tilts down to begin going back but it moves in only about 1/2 inch or so and then jams. The motor is trying to move it but it won't go any further. It also gets cocked slightly. Do I need to pull out the headliner? I also tried to crank it manually from the trunk and no luck. It just jams.

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1988 190E 2.3 (178,000)
FastLane, PartsShop and this forum rule!!!

Not sure if your 190 is like my 87 300E, but I fixed the sunroof myself with the same type of problem. If you pull the sunroof door cover off (not the headliner) you can clearly see the sunroof cable, a portion of the track and the tilting mechanism. For me the cable poped out of the track and frayed and bent to where it would not provide pressure for closing. It is super easy to replace the cable, taking all of 5 minutes, but if your track is not functioning well then the cable will keep on getting messed up. Replacing the track requires removing the headliner and the rear window I believe.

Once again this is for the 300E, not sure if yours is the same as mine. But you should at least take a look up there to see what the problem is.

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2007 Corvette Convertible Torch Red
1996 MBz SL500
2008 Harley Davidson Night Rod Special

On my 190E,the two bolts on the sun roof cable fell out. I removed the interior panel on the sun roof and exposed the mechanism. The cable was fine. I found the small bolts rolling around in there. I replaced the two bolts that fell out and used some loctite to make sure they would not come out again. It has been great ever since.

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1990 190E 2.6
1996 Grand Voyager 3.3
1985 Mustang GT 5.0 5 SPD
1982 Suzuki GS 750T

JDUB, the sunroof on my 1985 190e does the exact same thing as yours. How did you remove the interior panel on the sunroof? Did you have to remove the headliner as well? Your advise will be appreciated.

Brian


1985 190e
1990 BMW 325i

The headliner does not have to be removed. The sun roof must be opened to remove the interior panel on the sun-roof. The panel has plastic clips on the edge that faces the front. (the clips pop straight down like christmas tree clips, but come out easier) Carefully pry between the sun roof and interior panel. Next manuver the panel out of the top of the roof. Installation is the reverse. Let us know how it turns out. I used the shop manual for a 124 body and the mechanisms were similiar.

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1990 190E 2.6
1996 Grand Voyager 3.3
1985 Mustang GT 5.0 5 SPD
1982 Suzuki GS 750T

Thanks for the info JDUB. Will tackle this project in a couple of days. Will let you know how it goes.

Well, thanks for all the suggestions and help. I did get the sunroof apart. Problem was the drivers side sliding thingie was broken. Fortunately the local dealer had the part in stock. ($94) I don't know if the "German Engineering" thing is a blessing or a curse as the part was difficult to remove. Thanks again for all of the help.

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1988 190E 2.3 (178,000)
FastLane, PartsShop and this forum rule!!!

JDUB, found and removed the clips you described, but removing the interior panel from the sunrofm was next to impossible. I think I tried everything to remove that stubborn sucker. Am I missing something?

Thanks,

Brian


1985 190e
1990 BMW 3251

vadrill,
They say you need to open the roof 3/4 of the way to pull out the liner. If you can do that, it should pull out the front/top. If not, like mine, I had to pull hard down and pull it into the car. Just grab the front and kind of work it down. It bent the frame of the liner a bit but it is thin metal and I just bent it back. When I put it back in, the roof went back so it went in from the top. Good Luck.

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1988 190E 2.3 (178,000)
FastLane, PartsShop and this forum rule!!!

KODIAK, Thanks for the info. It makes sense. As I said before it was next to impossible to pull the liner directly out. I'll try pulling it down like you suggested. Will let you know how it goes.

Agian, thanks!

Brian

1985 190e
1990 BMW 325i

Kodiak, JDUB thanks for the input. Was able to remove the clips attaching the liner to the sunroof. It slipped right out after that. I didn't see those clips on my original try.

I was able to remove the cable running to the motor. It had a minor kink in it, which I straightened out. Inspected all screws and fittings. Sunroof still doesn't work as it should. It was worth the try. Out of my league. Think I'll just stick to using the AC when necessary.

Thanks for all the advice.

Brian

I've been trying to pull the interior panel on my sunroof but its really tight. I can see the clips up front, but what about the back, is it the same clips on the back too, or some kind of sliding tab? Does it need to be actually opened or just popped up?
Thanks
Darryl
'91 190

darryl,
there are no clips on the back, only the front. It comes out alot easier if the roof is open. You can get it out with it just popped up but you will bend the liner and supports. That's how I did it and then just bent it back.

Kyle

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1988 190E 2.3 (178,000)
FastLane, PartsShop and this forum rule!!!