Sunroof flap not working .

[jasohal]

Hello there...

Whilst on a long drive yesterday - noticed that when the sunroof is opened fully the small plastic flap which is fixed to the front edge of the roof opening was not going up.

As I have not really looked out for this in the past and not used the sunroof much I had not noticed this.

My understanding is that with the roof opened this plastic flap should become upright and cut down on the wind buffeting inside the car. And when closed it should retract down and fit inside the sunroof as it shuts.

Has anyone come across this before and knows how to fix it ??

I have heard from many that sunroofs are specialists only and not to be messed with - but hey no harm asking ?

 

[andy_k]

that flap should be spring loaded, nothing more complex than that - as the roof slides back over it's retainers it pops up - check for broken springs or lift it manually and lightly oil the hinges

Andy

 

[jasohal]

Had a look yesterday,

Seems that something is broken but am not quite sure what.

There is no sping tension on either side and the only way to bring the flap up is for me to push it up.

To bring it back down I have to pull it slightly and then bring it down - like it is hooking into something.

If you could post a picture of what the mechanism should look like - either corner will be fine I could then compare it to mine ?

 

[andy_k]

I've just had another look at how mine works

yes the flap is spring loaded but I can't see the spring so I guess it is integrated into the flap.

At either side of the roof there is a chrome strip with a plastic end piece which the flap locks into - as the roof slides over the strip it raises and lowers the flap

there's a photo here.

The strip I'm talking about is the short one at the bottom of the photo next to the bodywork.

HTH

Andy

 

[hitt]

Mines the opposite

Hi,

I actually have the opposite problem on my sun roof. On sliding it back the flap pops up normally, but on sliding it back the flap does not go back down. I have to risk my finger and hold it down while I close the roof. I have tried a little oil on the flap hinges, but nothing seems to make a difference. Any suggestions on this would be most helpful

Thanks

 

[Sp!ke]

I've just had another look at how mine works

yes the flap is spring loaded but I can't see the spring so I guess it is integrated into the flap.

At either side of the roof there is a chrome strip with a plastic end piece which the flap locks into - as the roof slides over the strip it raises and lowers the flap

there's a photo here.

The strip I'm talking about is the short one at the bottom of the photo next to the bodywork.

HTH

Andy

Shame on you for not waxing your car ... tut tut

 

[jasohal]

Thanks for the pic Andy - when I get home today I will compare it to mine. If it is all one piece I will prob need a new flap.

I'll find out from the stealer's what the damage is and try looking at how it fits in ??

Cheers

 

[andy_k]

Shame on you for not waxing your car ... tut tut

I did wax it - sometime last autumn.



I'll do it again when the weather warms up a bit (might even hoover it as well)

Hi,

I actually have the opposite problem on my sun roof. On sliding it back the flap pops up normally, but on sliding it back the flap does not go back down. I have to risk my finger and hold it down while I close the roof. I have tried a little oil on the flap hinges, but nothing seems to make a difference. Any suggestions on this would be most helpful

yes, check the end pieces of the strips I mentioned earlier in the thread - there is a lug on the end of the flap that locates inside them which makes it close - my guess is in your case is that the end pieces (held on by the single flat headed screw in the photo) are broken as they do look quite flimsy

Andy

 

[andy_k]

click here to download a PDF worksheet for the sunroof deflector as fitted to a W124 (although on mine it's a W201 part number) - you'll need winzip to extract it and adobe acrobat to read it.

It shows all the components, how they piece together and how to adjust

HTH

Andy

 

[jasohal]

Andy - that is fantastic..

Now looking at my sunroof I can see that the ends are broken on either side should be able to get these separately from the stealer's ?

Once i have these will follow instructions on the pdf you have supplied.

Cheers !

 

[andy_k]

your picture doesn't show the bits that move the roof up and down - they are on the bar that is visible in the photo I posted but not in yours (does that make sense) but you can see the spring which provides the lift in your photo.

I suspect the black plastic wind deflector is all one piece so if that is broken you will probably have to buy a new one. Looking at that worksheet it seems to be a straightforward job replacing it though. I'd start by asking the dealer what parts are available.

Andy

 

[jasohal]

The strips are present and ok on both sides with lugs intact.

Looks to me as the ends are broken and is prob one piece as you suggest will find out from stealers tomorrow - incidentally the flap on mine is also a 201 part !

 

[andy_k]

The strips are present and ok on both sides with lugs intact.

Looks to me as the ends are broken and is prob one piece as you suggest will find out from stealers tomorrow - incidentally the flap on mine is also a 201 part !

I still think you are going to find the spring is broken as well otherwise the wind deflector would be fully raised as in hitt's case.

Perhaps the end pieces have got broken as a result of the spring snapping (just a theory) and placing extra stress on them, I'd budget for replacing the spring at the same time - after all it can only cost a couple of quid. Shame you don't live a bit closer to us or I would have given you a hand piecing it back together

Andy

 

[hitt]

Great Link!

Andy thanks so much for the link. Looks like I have an appointment with my car roof tomorrow morning!

Just out of curiousity, are you aware of any other similiar links for the W124? These diagrams are very useful.

Many Thanks.

 

[andy_k]

Andy thanks so much for the link. Looks like I have an appointment with my car roof tomorrow morning!

Just out of curiousity, are you aware of any other similiar links for the W124? These diagrams are very useful.

Many Thanks.

yes they came off the workshop CDs (although I'm obviously not allowed to say that )- mine aren't complete (I have 2Cds but a lot of the worksheets are duplicated) but you can buy copies of them on eBay for about a tenner

Andy

 

[hitt]

Managed to get it fixed!

Using the advice and diagrams provided I managed to get the problem fixed. I just needed to adjust the two screws either side of the sunroof. These screws define by how much the deflector retracts when the roof closes.
The lugs either side etc are fine.

I actually took the mechanism apart anyway and gave it a good clean out and greasing. It amazing how leaves managed to work their way into every possible place!

I know have a nice smoothly running sun roof, and not risk of losing the end of my finger when I want to close it

Thanks for all the help! Especially Andy_K for the pdf, which was very helpful in understanding the mechanism.

 

[jasohal]

Is there any particular type of grease/lubricant that should be applied to the sunroof / sunroof flap etc

 

[andy_k]

I would (and have) used a graphite based grease on the tracks

 

[eddie_E]

molybdenum grease is the stuff for excellent sliding-ness. I'm tired but you get what i mean.