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Sunroof (not panoramic) won't open

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
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couchiedemon
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Sunroof (not panoramic) won't open

Post by couchiedemon » Tue Jul 10, 2018 9:40 pm

My 2002 3.0i X53 has a non panoramic sunroof. A while back it made an awful graunching noise when moving to the closed position and it stuck part way open.  I had to help it along to close it. Now I can't open it or tilt and the sun blind appears to have come off it's runners (this was stuck open after the closure problem occurred until I "helped" it along). Now when the switch is pressed (either tilt, back or forward) it makes a small noise as if starting to work and the glass moves about 1 mm before returning to the closed position.  Any ideas? Is this likely to be an expensive - dealer/specialist -  fix or can it be done DIY?

Any advice gratefully received.
2002 E53 3.0i, 2005 Mini Cooper S Conv,  Honda NC750X

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X5Sport
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Re: Sunroof (not panoramic) won't open

Post by X5Sport » Wed Jul 11, 2018 6:41 am

Unfortunately it isn’t unusual for the white metal parts to sheer off, or the system to jump on the tracks, or a gear to go bad.  Motor drives can also go bad.

You will need to get the headlining down and gain access from below.  It may need the cassette dropping out if nothing is moving much - but at least it is closed.

Worth a search on YouTube for sunroof fault videos and see if anything matches and what the fix was.

Replacement will be all BMW will offer however Realoem shows spares might still be available along with repair kits.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=54_0263
Last edited by X5Sport on Wed Jul 11, 2018 6:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

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