Sunroof Disaster (S211)

[WilliamMaldivess211]

I feel like this might turn into a long post, so I apologise in advance!

When I was looking for a Mercedes, I really wanted one with a sunroof - perfect for the sunny weather we get here in Jersey. But honestly, right now, it's been more trouble than it's worth.

Currently when I press the button, I only hear a grinding noise, and the sunroof barely moves. I had to use the manual method close it (under the light in the roof liner) to fully close it, but it was very stiff (compared to when I had to do this before), and hasn't finished perfectly level (one corner seems slightly lower than the other).

A while back, I accidentally left the sunroof tilted open overnight, and while it didn't rain, there was some dew on the car. I dried it off with a microfibres towel and left it open in the sun all day. It seemed fine afterward, but about three weeks later, I noticed that while it opened normally, closing it made a grinding noise - like it was struggling to return from the fully open position.

Since then, I only used the tilt function, with the intention of having it looked at when the gearbox is being serviced this summer. until my Dad borrowed my car and (not knowing about the issue) opened the sunroof fully. It closed but slightly below where it should have been, and made the terrible grinding noise. I had to try and get it level with the roof again, using the manual screwing method. Now I'm struck with it grinding, and not opening.

- I've tried the sunroof reset procedure, by removing the fuse, etc...
- The tracks were lubricated about a month ago with the official Mercedes grease.
- The sunroof drains were blocked, but they were also cleaned about a month ago.

Has anyone dealt with an issue like this before, or have any suggestions as to what it could be? New motor? Misaligned cables? Any advise would be greatly appreciated

 

[Petrol Pete]

was it one of the three quarters a million of sunroofs on the recall list worldwide ??

I do believe there are minimal parts available for it as it is a 'cassette' unit.

 

[WilliamMaldivess211]

was it one of the three quarters a million of sunroofs on the recall list worldwide ??

I do believe there are minimal parts available for it as it is a 'cassette' unit.

No unfortunately not - the date is too late for the recall.

 

[martyz]

Not too late for the recall,MB wrote to me again last month to check the bonding on the glass.

I had a crunchy sunroof at the time the first recall came around. The dealer had the car the whole day

and said they could not complete the test as they could not open it. had a free health check which it passed.

I bought a second hand sunroof off of ebay for £80 had to repair front drain greased it up (MB sunroof grease)

A mornings work with my more then capable youngest son fitting it and all was good

 

[WilliamMaldivess211]

Not too late for the recall,MB wrote to me again last month to check the bonding on the glass.

I had a crunchy sunroof at the time the first recall came around. The dealer had the car the whole day

and said they could not complete the test as they could not open it. had a free health check which it passed.

I bought a second hand sunroof off of ebay for £80 had to repair front drain greased it up (MB sunroof grease)

A mornings work with my more then capable youngest son fitting it and all was good

When I said the date is too late for- I thought it only affected 2005-2006 made sunroofs not later 2007 ones which was my dated one. It may be worth a try, but living on an island we only have one Mercedes dealer and they are just a disaster to deal with - incredibly keen to sell you a car but after sales and servicing they don’t really care.

 

[WilliamMaldivess211]

When I said the date is too late for- I thought it only affected 2005-2006 made sunroofs not later 2007 ones which was my dated one. It may be worth a try, but living on an island we only have one Mercedes dealer and they are just a disaster to deal with - incredibly keen to sell you a car but after sales and servicing they don’t really care.

Have just entered the vin into the Mercedes recall checker and it says it is affected so may be worth a try.

 

[Petrol Pete]

100% worth a try , it is a worldwide SAFETY recall that originated in the USA . You should have had the recall letter , but cars sometimes slip through the net.

My letter quoted

Safety recall SPRC2001.