Sunroof dead

[Shel]

Hi guys. Before I rip apart the roof thought I might ask on here first.

So the sunroof is completely dead for some reason. Fuses all check out ok.

The button illuminates so there's power going to it.

Pressing does absolutely nothing in any direction. It's currently in the closed position. Tried the reinitialise thing no response.

It's an 05 3.0i sport pano roof.

Any ideas?

[g300d]

Just be happy that it is stuck closed lol!

Lots of stuck pano roofs but usuallh while open when something in the tilt mechanism breaks.

Good luck getting it sorted

[cn90]

- My cousin who owns a BMW Indy shop in Los Angeles area told me after I bought the 1998 528i and 2006 X5: close the sunroof and never use it again LOL.

He got tired of fixing sunroof, which is not any mechanic favorite topic, simply b/c it is annoying with small little parts and problems can recur if they don't take care of all small items when having the sunroof apart!

So yes, you are lucky your sunroof failed in a closed position.

Roll down your window and enjoy the fume from diesel trucks...

[g300d]

And if you do get it open, do a search for the pano roof fix posted here and elsewhere online.

In a nutshell, this guy from Australia who fixes sunroofs for a living shows you what parts to hack off of your sunroof rails and mechanism to make it reliable. It basically disables the tilt function which is what usually breaks and jams up the roof.

No need to pull the sunroof, it can be done in place. Has to be able to open though to expose the parts.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by g300d

And if you do get it open, do a search for the pano roof fix posted here and elsewhere online.

In a nutshell, this guy from Australia who fixes sunroofs for a living shows you what parts to hack off of your sunroof rails and mechanism to make it reliable. It basically disables the tilt function which is what usually breaks and jams up the roof.

No need to pull the sunroof, it can be done in place. Has to be able to open though to expose the parts.

Yep, the tilt feature is the main cause of sunroof failures, such that the new X5 does not have that feature.

I recall the much of money I spent fixing and re-fixing my '97 528 sunroof years ago. I was lucky that eventually I found someone selling off parts of his E39. I tested his sunroof (which had never been broken before) and just bought the entire sunroof (the cassette, glass, motors and all) for $150. It's been perfect to-date. I regularly lubricate its mechanisms.

[andrewwynn]

Mine jammed open at below freezing outside when the inside panel for sucked into the roof!

I used the hand crank to get it moving and once I got it into vent mode have me enough room to work. You may find a simple limit switch or such is interfering with operation and the hand crank will be what you need.

BABY steps! I would open a cm then close to make sure you can close manually before opening the whole way

[cn90]

I wrote a Sunroof DIY for E39 1998 528i below.
I don't know if this helps your E53 X5 but here you go:

DIY: E39 Sunroof Fix, updated version - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

[Shel]

The repair had already been done on the sunroof. Hence why I want it working because I know it won't get stuck.


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[Purplefade]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Mine jammed open at below freezing outside when the inside panel for sucked into the roof!

I used the hand crank to get it moving and once I got it into vent mode have me enough room to work. You may find a simple limit switch or such is interfering with operation and the hand crank will be what you need.

BABY steps! I would open a cm then close to make sure you can close manually before opening the whole way

This is good advice!! I would second that - using the hand crank, open it a very very small amount then turn the other way to ensure it will close again and then test it with the button. It may have a stuck limit switch making it think it is jammed.


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[Overboost]

Originally Posted by Purplefade

It may have a stuck limit switch making it think it is jammed.

Does anyone know the location of the limit switch? Mine would roll back fine but nothing on the forward movement. I hand cranked it closed and left it there. (I did replace the switch)