Porsche951redt

Well it took me a while but it just hit me. This car is perfect for people who love fixing small little things and just plain old tinkering. I love doing that too so hey guess i found the right car! The problem is i like fixing small things on occasion... NOT EVERYDAY. It just seems there is something new wrong every day, but hey it comes with the territory i presume.

Anyway here is my current worry. My power roof will not close. I checked the relays they are in perfect condition. When i press the open button it unlocks perfectly. However, as soon as i try and close it i can hear this gigantic clicking noise coming from the motor. It kind of sounds like when you put a playing card in the spokes of a bicycle. It seems that it can only open the hinges but not push them back into place. Can it be that the gears in the motor can only run one way? Or is it an electrical problem. I researched on the forum and found something called micro switches. I have no clue where they are located or what they do. Could they be the culprit?

So to sum it all up:
*My poweroof can open but not close, why?
*The clicking noise what does that indicate?
*If the relays are fine could the micro switches be the problem?
*If so what are micro switches and what do they do/look like?


Thanks, and back i go to find more things to fix

Ian Carr

The 951 has to be worked on once a week.

Also the sun roof used plastic gears and after 18 years they are probably broken up. I just ordered two new ones from paragon.

KuHL 951

Do a manual conversion, don't give in to the Dark Side of constant sunroof issues...now about those other little nagging fix-its, get used to them, they won't go away.

Ian Carr

Yeah after replacing 99% of the engine stuff, interior stuff is now breaking...!

Porsche951redt

How do i do a manual convertion? Oh and btw i just went to pick up my gf tried the power roof for ****s and giggles and now i dont even have that clicking noise when trying to close it. But open it? It will open any day!!

KuHL 951

The manual sunroof conversion is real simple(30 minutes), disconnect the lifting arm cables at the rear of the SR area, remove 4 screws, use the manual latches from a 924/early 944, reinstall the same 4 screws with the new latch. Now all you do is twist the latch 90 deg. stand them up and prop them into the groove in the roof and it stays put in the tilt position. Unlatch the front catches(they stay the same) and remove it for open air. I have one more set of manual latches, if you get frustrated PM me.

Steve
This what it looks like in the tilt position and closed from inside..

M Danger

actually if you have any early set up 86 and before, chances are its just a slipping clutch and all you have to do it tighten the nut! just look at the motor and see the big nut that turns.

Campeck

someone should make aluminum sunroof gears....i'de buy that. even though Im going to manual.

Porsche951redt

I have an 89 951 is there anything different i have to do then what you just mentioned? And worst case scenario, if my gears inside the motor are busted how much is it to replace them? BTW thanks alot for the info khul!

R.B.

Slightly off topic. It was nice to see your car up and running on Columbia St. yesterday at lunch. I was in the Black 951.

R.B.

Matt Sheppard

I think the gears are made of plastic for a reason - like a fuse if you encounter problems. Engineers would have it break before the clutch in the motor assembly.

EdC

In the 1.5 years and about 20k miles on my 1988 Turbo S I've replaced the sun roof gears and a heater clip to get the heater to stop on full heat. Oh yeah, one battery, one set of tires and brake pads and other routine maintenance. I really haven't had to "tinker" all that much for a vehicle almost 18 years old. The only remaining unsolved "tinkering" issue is a reluctant ignition lock. All in all, I had more little things go wrong with a '95 Z28, may it rest in peace. Must be I'm either lucky or my time is coming. The described manual sunroof conversion seems priceless for its simplicity. Think of the weight savings!
Ed

KuHL 951

Someone does sell an aluminum gear, as some one said earlier, the metal gear won't fail but instead it will tear up the clutch and stretch cables if your limit switches are not adjusted right. Such a lousy design on such a nice car...why didn't they just put the motors in the roof like everyone else's car with a sunroof that still works?

Porsche951redt

Yea that was good i sent you a PM. That is a really sleek black you have on your car, either that or a whole lot of elbow grease and wax.