Sunrrof with a mind of its own

SCP440 · 7th March 2020, 16:57

I opened the sunroof today and when went to close it got almost to the point where it was shut and then it returned to the open position on its own

My first thought it felt a restriction so returned. If I hold the button in it returned perfectly with no hesitation or it seeming to struggle.

I have greased the rails and tried again but even after several times it still returns unless I keep my finger on the button.

Is there a sensor that could have gone out of adjustment or do I need to reset something?

I replaced the parts that allow the blind to move a couple of years ago and these are still working properly.

Thanks

rovertone · 7th March 2020, 18:16

Mine does the same thing, I am sure it is electrical and not mechanical. It always closes at 2nd or 3rd attempt so have never bothered to source the fault. I'll watch with interest to see if anyone has the solution.

SCP440 · 8th March 2020, 11:14

How does the sunroof motor know when it is closed? Is there a microswitch or does it just sense the load?

stocktake · 8th March 2020, 11:32

Mine does this, never got round to fixing it but I found that if I pushed the wind deflector down with my fingers it would close all the way. (Tip: remove fingers at last second

)This leads me to think the mechanism for the wind deflector requires checking/cleaning as the motor is meeting too much resistance and the antitrap mechanism operates

Jim Jamieson · 8th March 2020, 13:38

I believe the sunroof mechanism is similar to windows in as much as it auto reverses if there’s an abnormal resistance, like your arm sticking out for example. I mean you wouldn’t want to get it chopped.

My only experience with the 75 sunroof was my late Zircon model which when purchased the motor had been disconnected.
On inspection to the mechanism there were several clips broken/missing and I subsequently replaced these with a repair kit. I also thoroughly cleaned the runners and lubricated them with an appropriate silicon lubricant.

When I read the words “ I greased them” I think in horror really, have you used grease, surely not unless it was the special grease for such an application.

If cared for correctly the sunroof will open and close perfectly every time.

SCP440 · 8th March 2020, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Jamieson

When I read the words “ I greased them” I think in horror really, have you used grease, surely not unless it was the special grease for such an application.

I used silicone grease, normal grease would be to sticky I would have thought?

I am tempted to strip and clean it all back and start with everything fresh. Maybe the old lubricant has attracted some dirt and causing the problem?

Jim Jamieson · 8th March 2020, 15:49

Yes unfortunately any grease will attract dust etc. And eventually cause some stickiness. The roof panel is not too difficult to remove, there’s guides on YouTube which are extremely helpful on this.

JerseySteve · 9th March 2020, 11:36

There is a thread somewhere in the Forum that talks about resetting the mechanism. Tried it a couple of time but did not work for me. You may be luckier

SCP440 · 9th March 2020, 13:59

That worked, opening it fully and then closing it by holding the button for a minimum of 15 seconds. Once the 15 seconds was up it tilted and now works as it used too.

That saved a job stripping and cleaning it. Maybe once the weather has improved I will strip it down and give it a good clean anyway.

Thanks, what would we do without this forum.

7th March 2020, 16:57	#1
SCP440 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 260 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Witney Posts: 2,504 Thanks: 6 Thanked 910 Times in 571 Posts	Sunrrof with a mind of its own I opened the sunroof today and when went to close it got almost to the point where it was shut and then it returned to the open position on its own My first thought it felt a restriction so returned. If I hold the button in it returned perfectly with no hesitation or it seeming to struggle. I have greased the rails and tried again but even after several times it still returns unless I keep my finger on the button. Is there a sensor that could have gone out of adjustment or do I need to reset something? I replaced the parts that allow the blind to move a couple of years ago and these are still working properly. Thanks

7th March 2020, 18:16	#2
rovertone Gets stuck in Rover 75 Conne SE Auto CDTi Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Redditch Posts: 667 Thanks: 185 Thanked 135 Times in 109 Posts	Mine does the same thing, I am sure it is electrical and not mechanical. It always closes at 2nd or 3rd attempt so have never bothered to source the fault. I'll watch with interest to see if anyone has the solution. __________________ 2003 Mk 1 Connie SE CDTi Auto Monogram Mirage 2/Sandstone Leather 511th CDTi out of 4744 produced 9th in Mirage 2 out of 17 produced Also 2004 Rover 25 SXi CVT, 1999 Megane Cabriolet and still missing my 800 Fastback.

8th March 2020, 11:32	#4
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,586 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	Mine does this, never got round to fixing it but I found that if I pushed the wind deflector down with my fingers it would close all the way. (Tip: remove fingers at last second )This leads me to think the mechanism for the wind deflector requires checking/cleaning as the motor is meeting too much resistance and the antitrap mechanism operates __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident Last edited by stocktake; 8th March 2020 at 15:44..

8th March 2020, 11:14	#3
SCP440 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 260 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Witney Posts: 2,504 Thanks: 6 Thanked 910 Times in 571 Posts	How does the sunroof motor know when it is closed? Is there a microswitch or does it just sense the load?

8th March 2020, 13:38	#5
Jim Jamieson This is my second home Rover less ! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tarbolton Posts: 3,442 Thanks: 393 Thanked 888 Times in 542 Posts	I believe the sunroof mechanism is similar to windows in as much as it auto reverses if there’s an abnormal resistance, like your arm sticking out for example. I mean you wouldn’t want to get it chopped. My only experience with the 75 sunroof was my late Zircon model which when purchased the motor had been disconnected. On inspection to the mechanism there were several clips broken/missing and I subsequently replaced these with a repair kit. I also thoroughly cleaned the runners and lubricated them with an appropriate silicon lubricant. When I read the words “ I greased them” I think in horror really, have you used grease, surely not unless it was the special grease for such an application. If cared for correctly the sunroof will open and close perfectly every time.

8th March 2020, 15:49	#7
Jim Jamieson This is my second home Rover less ! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tarbolton Posts: 3,442 Thanks: 393 Thanked 888 Times in 542 Posts	Yes unfortunately any grease will attract dust etc. And eventually cause some stickiness. The roof panel is not too difficult to remove, there’s guides on YouTube which are extremely helpful on this.

9th March 2020, 11:36	#8
JerseySteve Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: St Helier Posts: 111 Thanks: 144 Thanked 34 Times in 24 Posts	There is a thread somewhere in the Forum that talks about resetting the mechanism. Tried it a couple of time but did not work for me. You may be luckier

9th March 2020, 13:59	#9
SCP440 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 260 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Witney Posts: 2,504 Thanks: 6 Thanked 910 Times in 571 Posts	That worked, opening it fully and then closing it by holding the button for a minimum of 15 seconds. Once the 15 seconds was up it tilted and now works as it used too. That saved a job stripping and cleaning it. Maybe once the weather has improved I will strip it down and give it a good clean anyway. Thanks, what would we do without this forum.