[Jakg]

Sunroof wouldn't close the other day - got almost all the way there and jumped back.

Tried lubing it with silicone lube to no avail (when I got the car it was a bit noisy).

Tried the "reset" suggested online which seemed to get it closed, but when I try to open it, it seems stuck on the front left corner? Hopefully you can see from the video.

Any ideas?

[nsjames]

have you tried the emergency manual closing under the trim panel?

page 40 in the owner's manual.

[Jakg]

Originally Posted by nsjames

have you tried the emergency manual closing under the trim panel?

page 40 in the owner's manual.

Using that I could open it, although with more force than I might expect.

But when closing it, it's still getting stuck in that corner.

I tried spraying with some silicone lubricant but that hasn't helped. Any ideas?

[ryan stewart]

Guessing something in the mechanism is jammed triggering the safety stops.

Pull the glass and see what the rails do, they will run without the glass attached (although youll def have to re-calibrate after that). Just watch the center drain if you have it going back into the roof, it will snag on the roof frame since its not being pushed down by the glass.

[Jakg]

Originally Posted by ryan stewart

Guessing something in the mechanism is jammed triggering the safety stops.

Pull the glass and see what the rails do, they will run without the glass attached (although youll def have to re-calibrate after that). Just watch the center drain if you have it going back into the roof, it will snag on the roof frame since its not being pushed down by the glass.

Thanks. That sounds really complicated, but doesn't look too bad looking at the manual...

[oVeRdOsE.]

I dont know if its the same issue, but the long plastics part that make the roof slide on the rails can fail. This is a common issue on e91,

I didn't repaired mine, but Ive managed to chose it manually by moving the roof by hand. You have to play with the switch to find the sweet spot for the electric motor, so it won't block the roof while you're trying to close it by hand

[nsjames]

if it won't close manually something is physically blocking the track.

sadly you're probably taking it apart to find out.

[Jakg]

Originally Posted by nsjames

if it won't close manually something is physically blocking the track.

sadly you're probably taking it apart to find out.

Your probably right - but to be clear I can open and close it manually, but having done that I'm still unable to close it electronically.

I've bought the special BMW grease and will try to see if adjusting helps.

[Jakg]

Originally Posted by Jakg

Your probably right - but to be clear I can open and close it manually, but having done that I'm still unable to close it electronically.

I've bought the special BMW grease and will try to see if adjusting helps.

I tried greasing it up, but no joy.

You can see how it's "stuck" on the front left corner.

I can open it manually but it's quite stiff.

You can see how it's sitting wrong too.

[Tunafish]

No good .. You have a moon roof now

[nsjames]

it still opens manually right?

open it a bit, get in that front corner with a mirror and a light, look for anything in the track. See if anything has cracked/broken whatever.

but yeah, still probably taking it apart.

This just makes me dread when mine eventually fails.

[Jakg]

Originally Posted by nsjames

it still opens manually right?

open it a bit, get in that front corner with a mirror and a light, look for anything in the track. See if anything has cracked/broken whatever.

but yeah, still probably taking it apart.

This just makes me dread when mine eventually fails.

Nothing obvious unfortunately.

I think it's probably something just a bit "tight".

[M-technik-3]

One of the reasons I only use the tilt feature.

[Jakg]

On much further investigation, including a "specialists" investigation (a story for another time), I'm pretty sure something internally is bent.

When operating the roof manually it's still very stiff just as it opens, so a reset won't help.

I've managed to get it closed.

I think the best way out is probably a replacement used roof - I've seen one for £300.
Obviously a lot of work to swap though...

[ryan stewart]

There is a rail rebuild kit on parts websites, looks to be a complete setup of mechanisms

[jsunma]

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/54107227894/

I see that you're in the UK. More wagons over there than here in the States. So shirley this part is pretty available over there too.

I'm going to guess it's one of the hinged arms (the left one). Those are the big parts in the picture at the link above.

[Jakg]

Originally Posted by jsunma

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/54107227894/

I see that you're in the UK. More wagons over there than here in the States. So shirley this part is pretty available over there too.

I'm going to guess it's one of the hinged arms (the left one). Those are the big parts in the picture at the link above.

Thanks - I'm not convinced it's a bent arm, although that would track with it sliding fine when flat, but getting stuck when it pops "up" into the closed position.

I think the link you've sent is for the rear glass mechanism - this was working ok, but I've even tried the rather drastic option of disabling (i.e. breaking!) the connection between the drive cable and the rear glass to stop it moving, as I saw lots of other people finding a rear glass out of alignment was preventing the front glass from working. But alas not in my case.
From some further research, the "kit" for the front is 54137176309, but this is £230.

Are there any guides on how you'd change the parts? I've seen a video with disassembling the unit when removed from the car - but tbh if I was removing it, I'd just replace it with a used one to draw a line under it.

[jsunma]

Originally Posted by Jakg

Thanks - I'm not convinced it's a bent arm, although that would track with it sliding fine when flat, but getting stuck when it pops "up" into the closed position.

I think the link you've sent is for the rear glass mechanism - this was working ok, but I've even tried the rather drastic option of disabling (i.e. breaking!) the connection between the drive cable and the rear glass to stop it moving, as I saw lots of other people finding a rear glass out of alignment was preventing the front glass from working. But alas not in my case.
From some further research, the "kit" for the front is 54137176309, but this is £230.

Are there any guides on how you'd change the parts? I've seen a video with disassembling the unit when removed from the car - but tbh if I was removing it, I'd just replace it with a used one to draw a line under it.

Good catch re. the proper part number. Yes, the kit for the front clearly has more parts.

As for instructions, I would have to say that this is not really an easy diy job. I'm sure someone here has done it, and there are a few Youtube videos that cover parts of the job, but a quick search doesn't turn up anything really comprehensive. The best I could easily find was this (which may be the one you've already found):

Which looks like someone did a capture of what I think might be the BMW TIS instructional video. Maybe someone here who has more familiarity with TIS would be able to confirm that, and give you an idea as to how to access it on your own.

For what it's worth, I would say that if I needed to do this on my car, I probably wouldn't attack the job only armed with some kind of incomplete Youtube videos. Taking the whole roof mechanism off the car clearly requires 2 people and a lot of time and patience for someone who doesn't do this all of the time. Which is why I'd urge you over there in the land of E91s to go find a qualified shop - one that's done this before - to do the job. It's not a DIY that I'd tackle...and I'll tackle a lot.

Good luck with the repair!

[Jakg]

Originally Posted by jsunma

Which is why I'd urge you over there in the land of E91s to go find a qualified shop - one that's done this before - to do the job. It's not a DIY that I'd tackle...and I'll tackle a lot.

Good luck with the repair!

This is exactly why I contacted a sunroof specialist... but here we are.