Sunroof was working good until one day started to slow down the just seize. I could hear the motor still engaging but the sunroof just doesnt move. I am most likely sure that the sunroof cable are binding or have broken. Is this a relatively easy fix?

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2001 E55

2001 E320 Sedan

2001 Subaru Legacy

2006 SLK280

2016 Subaru Outback 3.6

same issue here, it has slowed down A LOT; meaning I can get it to move if I help the roof by pushing it.

I suspect the grease has hardened.

What to do?

I think the motor is in the trunk, if I remove it, is there something that can be done?

Don't under any circumstances try to force it....that will only make things worse and much more expensive to fix......

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

The sunroof cable is attached to the rear of the sunroof mechanism/center (to the carrier/bridge) with two bolts which can (if very careful to not cut/tear the edge of the fabric around the opening) be removed through the tip-up opening with the sunroof closed.

Proper method is to open the sunroof enough to remove the front edge of the inner panel, open the sunroof the rest of the way and slide the inner panel forward/up/out. Close the sunroof to access/remove the bolts.

After disconnecting the cable, you can determine if it is the sunroof working stiffly, or the cable. There is also a clutch on the motor assembly. If everything else is working properly you remove the plastic 17mm hex-head to expose a screw and locknut which adjust the clutch.

Trying to push a poorly-lubricated sunroof with the motor however is a bad idea, it can damage the sunroof mechanism (extremely difficult to repair properly) or at least compress the cable which will destroy the plastic sheath. Sunroof cables are however easier to replace or lubricate than changing a tire IMO.

Either method, you will want to run the cable out into the cabin (close direction). Once it has cleared the gears it will pull out from the inside of the car.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

That's pretty good advice - mine is a bit slow in the cool months.
Question, is this for a later model 126, like my '91?
I have an '86 service manual, and it has info for an apparantly different type of sunroof mechanism. Did they change it midstream?

DG

I don't think the early 126 was a slide/tip type, only slide. I'm only familiar with the later tip/slide types (201, 124, and 126 are essentially the same tilt/slide design but early 201 ('86 and older) were also slide only).

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I believe that those repair CDs that Jonathan sells (they're pretty cheap) cover the 3(?) iterations of the 126 sunroof quite well. In fact, I had to wade through the information for about two other types of sunroofs before I came to the part that pertained to my '87 420SEL. You need the index to the CDs that Steve has published in order to find things, though. If I can't figure out what the hell the CDs are talking about, I look at AllDataDIY, which usually has pictures similar to the CDs but sometimes explains thing better.