300e Sunroof

As of this afternoon, the sunroof on my '88 300e is not operating, and unfortunately it is not sealed shut. Manually, I can get it to slide to the forward position, but it won't lift to the sealed position. When I engage the switch, the motor hums but does not engage the drive. Any thoughts?

TIA

[A. Rosich]

I have so many problems with my wagon's sunroof that I literally want it to be welded shut. At one point, I remember having the same problem as yours, and it turned out to be the sunroof guidelines, which were misaligned and did not let the sunroof operate normally nor close manually.

Parts were not bad for the repair, but labor was another subject.

Other repairs have included the cable, three relays and the motor itself. Don't even ask for the price of motor...

A. Rosich
S 320, 1998
E 320 T, 1995

[JDUB]

You could possibly have a broken cable or the fasteners could have fallen out. By closing it manually do you mean with your hands directly on the sunroof or do you mean by the emergency mechanism in the trunk. If I am not mistaken, the cable system is ok if it can be operated from the trunk. If this is the case, the the motor is probably at fault. If you can move the sunroof itself then the cable is disconnected or broken. The interior panel of the sunroof can be removed to verify this.
My 190 has the same sunroof mechansim as the 124 chassis as I have referenced a 124 shop manual to diagnose my problem. In my case the fasteners that connect the cable to the roof mechanism fell out. I replaced the fasteners with loctite and have not had a problem since. It was an easy repair.

JDUB,

Thanks for the input. I can open (partially) the sunroof with the trunk mechanism, however, it will not close by the same method. How do I remove the panel for cable access?

TIA

[Stan Pittman]

Every 300E that I've seen with a problem with the sunroof had the same problem. Not saying yours is the same but everyone I've repair required both angle brackets.

[JDUB]

The interior panel has plastic "christmas tree" clips that push into the sunroof mechanism. You carefully pry these out with the roof partially open. When the panel is free, then the roof must be fully open to manuver it out. I don't remember if I pulled it through the top or into the car. The fault should be apparent when the assembly is exposed. It doesn't take long, but be patient so you wont damage anything. Good luck.

[MB STARS]

Sunroof panel is pull it through the top of vehicle.

[David C Klasse]

If you're still stuck, do a post. There have been tons of topics on this.

First, thanks for the replies. I just got my first opportunity to begin working this issue this morning. Unfortunately, either I'm blind or the clips referenced by JDUB are concealed in some way. Bottomline, I have not yet been able to separate the interior panel from the roof. Anyone? Thanks

[ejsharp]

To find the plastic clips/pins open the roof 3/4 way and pull down the interior fabric from the front edge of the roof. They are white in color or at least mine are. About four or so of them. Reach in with screw driver and twist it to pop out the pins.

I almost certain you will find the cast metal sliders broken . One on each side of the roof.

I have the exact same problem and the weather is working against any possibility that I can look at this (10 deg F and a foot of snow incoming tomorrow). Anyway, does anyone know of a website where I can download the MB CD repair file so I can burn it onto a disk? Would save me a ton of money. Thanks

Hi,

While you are at it, clean according to the recommendations on this forum and be sure to use the MB sunroof paste. There is a difference compared to other lubricants.

Call Fastlane for a small amount. The MB part comes with forty lifetimes of paste and is $50. A film canister is about 4 ounces and should be about $5.

Let me know if you need another source.

Good luck,

chicago124