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Sunroof cables replace

Remove headliner from sunroof by opening roof approximately 5 cm (2") and pulling down on forward edge of liner. 540007.jpg (18332 bytes)
Move roof to closed or vent position and slide headliner back into roof. Do not push head liner so far back as to not be able to retrieve it.

 

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CAUTION:  Do not operate roof in backwards motion with headliner disconnected. Damage to the head liner will result and it may also be pushed back into the roof beyond reach.

Remove the six Torx bolts (three on each side of roof) and lift off lid.

Manual roof :

Remove screw from cover on crank and remove cover. 540004.jpg (48833 bytes)
Remove screws on either side of crank handle and remove crank.

Crank handle must be partially folded before assembly will release from regulator.

540005.jpg (48397 bytes)
Remove plastic recess housing. 540006.jpg (50470 bytes)
Loosen screw from gear drive mechanism and pull mechanism down. 540014.jpg (18003 bytes)

Electric Roof :

Remove check control unit, if fitted, by prying gently around edges.
Open sunroof
Open both front doors and pull down weather stripping on each side in area of liner 510029.jpg (28825 bytes)
Remove sunvisors and clips 510030.jpg (25627 bytes) 510031.jpg (28327 bytes)
Remove the 7 screws along front edge of sunroof opening and lift off trim strip 540013.jpg (20970 bytes)
Gently peel back headliner trim and remove two screws under trim strip, one on each front corner of the sunroof opening and remove trim.
Close sunroof, can be done manually by inserting hand crank from vehicle's tool kit into drive mechanism (yellow arrow) and turning by hand if necessary.

Remove 3 screws securing motor to roof (green arrows) and screw (blue arrow) securing relay, disconnect wiring and remove motor.

540001.jpg (28086 bytes)

All :

From outside the car, remove the 6 screws on each side of roof and remove the cover rails. 540015.jpg (23415 bytes)
Lift off rails and guide pins, pull cables out of guide tubes. Loosen gear drive screw (manual roof only) more if cables do not move freely past gear.

Installation

Press rod off end of cable and install on new cable.
Slide new cables into tubes. Cables are marked L for Left and R for Right.
Place roof roof mechanism in closed position.
Place roof in position and install all 6 bolts loosely.
Install a 4mm Allen key in each side side position so that it is locked into grove in slide (green arrow) and enters hole (yellow arrow).
Sunroof lid has been removed for photographic clarity.
540012.jpg (25435 bytes)
Set roof at desired position and tighten bolts.
Remove 4mm Allen key and pull headliner forward.  Open roof approximately 5 cm (2") and align clips with holes in roof.  Press clips into holes firmly.
 

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E30 M3 Repair Manual V2.7.  Copyright ©1999-2001 Koala Motorsport & Brett Anderson