Help with a BMW X5 E53's Stuck Sunroof Sunshade [Update with Photos]

[minz-x5]

Long-time lurker, first-time poster. So, I bought an '06 BMW X5 E53 4.4 Sport in mostly excellent condition with relatively low miles with one worrying problem: the sunshade cover part of the roof is stuck / jammed in the open position (retracted under the headliner).

The pano roof seems to operate - I only opened and closed it in venting position with a few a 'cracking' noises, as I don't won't to cause any damage. I tried pulling the sunshade cover, but it seems to be stuck.

Anybody have any suggestions on how I can fix the sunshade cover - or at least pull it over?

[Brandon002]

Try cycling the entire sunroof. Hold the button in the vent position until everything opens, closes, opens again, closes, vents etc... When it stops moving for a good 30 seconds you are done. This may or may not fix it.

[minz-x5]

Thanks Brandon. I might give it a try - depending if I hear any crackling noises, I just hope it's a simple fix and I don't have to pull down the headliner. Has anybody else had an issue with the sunshade cover of the pano roof?

[X5SND]

Hopefully someone with a pano whose had a similar problem will see this and chime in. Worst case scenario is that you need to drop the headliner and get inside the sunroof cassette to get everything sorted. The good news is that the headliner isn't that big of a job! Good luck!

[minz-x5]

I hope so too. Before I got the car, I saw that it had a problem and asked the local BMW dealer during the PPI (what a $137 joke that was, they didn't even check the windows and sunroof - on an E53!, and I had to ask the service associate after they finished the inspection to look at them. He told me they would have to take the sunroof apart to give me an estimate for the sunshade cover and had no idea what was wrong.

I looked into the previous owner's service records books and found a "repair sunshade cover assembly" quote from a different BMW dealer for $2,100, without a detailed report on the problem.

[pnoyako85]

Originally Posted by minz-x5

I hope so too. Before I got the car, I saw that it had a problem and asked the local BMW dealer during the PPI (what a $137 joke that was, they didn't even check the windows and sunroof - on an E53!, and I had to ask the service associate after they finished the inspection to look at them. He told me they would have to take the sunroof apart to give me an estimate for the sunshade cover and had no idea what was wrong.

I looked into the previous owner's service records books and found a "repair sunshade cover assembly" quote from a different BMW dealer for $2,100, without a detailed report on the problem.

put it on 2 clicks ignition, then hold the sunroof button by pushing it up and holding it ..wait about 30-50sec and it will cycle through out the whole process, keep holding the button…..that should do it..

[minz-x5]

I'll give it a try when the temps go down here in the North East and hope it doesn't break anything. Say that it works and it doesn't need the dreaded re-assembly, is the shade on the pano roof controlled electrically only or can I slide it manually too?

[Brandon002]

Its electronic.

[pnoyako85]

Originally Posted by minz-x5

I'll give it a try when the temps go down here in the North East and hope it doesn't break anything. Say that it works and it doesn't need the dreaded re-assembly, is the shade on the pano roof controlled electrically only or can I slide it manually too?

Minz…its i believe electrical only…..just turn your car on leave it on the maximum Hot Temp..let it get hot inside..that should do the trick…leave it for about 20mins idling and try that..

[minz-x5]

So, upon the suggestions of the helpful members here, I warmed up my E53 and attempted a reset, which indeed, worked and part of the sunshade (good news) came into…light.

Now, to the bad news; unless I'm losing my mind and/or vision, there's no rear sunshade – could it be that when the previous owner took the car to the dealer for a price quote on the fix, someone removed it and didn’t put it back?