Moonroof problems

[PersonaNonGrata]

I hardly ever use my moonroof on my '02 but lately it has been rattling. I've had sunroof problems in other BMWs requiring new cassettes so I was not optimistic about my rattling but it wasn't that big a deal until today when I opened my moonroof a couple of inches to vent hot air. When I tried to close it, it started closing then went in reverse. It wound up going back about halfway and stopped. It would not move forward.

I busted out the hex tool to try and crank it but that didn't help. (I don't think it's my motor.) I was eventually able to get the roof closed to the within a couple of inches. Again, I was not feeling good because cassettes and parts for this fix are expensive as is labor to do it. The odd thing is that I was able to close the roof to this point but pushing up on the switch as you do when you want to tilt the roof up. Strange....

I went back to the issue after work and tried to re-initialize the moonroof by turning the key to position 1 then holding the switch up in the tilt position. After about 10 seconds the roof goes through a few motions and to my relief, closes completely including popping back up into place. The shade is stuck a few inches from closing so that still needs to be resolved.

I dared to try it tonight and the roof would open a little haltingly and with a bit of noise. It did re-close completely though. (I would rather have my roof closed and never use my moonroof again than have to fix it.) Perhaps I should open it up completely and grease the rails a bit? Any ideas or suggestions?