Sunroof: risk of testing to see if it works?
04-24-2020, 11:06 PM
#16
Rennlist Member
I’m with FatMike on this one. I have never used the sunroof off on my 993, and I deleted the damn thing from my 964. Useless, weighty, leaks, and it takes up valuable headroom. Great advice above from 78-3.8-911. You might get away with just hitting the button, but it may also open a fan of worms. Porsche made these standard in the US cars only. Marketing, or just malevolence?
04-25-2020, 10:42 AM
#17
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
It works! Much to my surprise, I pressed the sunroof switch and was able to open and close it about 1". I did that a few times without any apparent problems, so I opened it the full way and it works!
04-25-2020, 11:02 AM
#19
Three Wheelin'
The first quick test is a short jab at the switch just to see if the motor works:
a) if the roof budges (a quick stab at the switch will only move it less than 1 cm), at least the motor and switch work; if it does nothing, then check the switch first, which is easy. And if the roof does budge, it is now a game of how far you want to open it, knowing full well that you may not get it closed. I'd personally try opening just an inch or two, then seeing if it will close, doing this before I try to go full open.
b) Sunroof issues range from the easy: switch cleaning (take it apart, clean contacts, but be careful not to lose the miniscule steel ***** inside the switch), or often the wind deflector at the forward edge binds because one of the guides at either leading edge of the sunroof has broken ...they're plastic, thin in areas, and a very common fault which is like a $9 part and six minutes of your life. Then there is the difficult: failed cable. I've not personally done this so will defer to those have accomplished it. This can cause a jam the roof in the rails so be uber careful not to scratch the sunroof as you work it (which a friend did do on his SC ...ugh!).
c) Motor failed? Pricey. How much do you want that roof to open
Edward
a) if the roof budges (a quick stab at the switch will only move it less than 1 cm), at least the motor and switch work; if it does nothing, then check the switch first, which is easy. And if the roof does budge, it is now a game of how far you want to open it, knowing full well that you may not get it closed. I'd personally try opening just an inch or two, then seeing if it will close, doing this before I try to go full open.
b) Sunroof issues range from the easy: switch cleaning (take it apart, clean contacts, but be careful not to lose the miniscule steel ***** inside the switch), or often the wind deflector at the forward edge binds because one of the guides at either leading edge of the sunroof has broken ...they're plastic, thin in areas, and a very common fault which is like a $9 part and six minutes of your life. Then there is the difficult: failed cable. I've not personally done this so will defer to those have accomplished it. This can cause a jam the roof in the rails so be uber careful not to scratch the sunroof as you work it (which a friend did do on his SC ...ugh!).
c) Motor failed? Pricey. How much do you want that roof to open
Edward
04-25-2020, 11:07 AM
#20
Three Wheelin'
I like the sunroof and use it often; actually a whole heck of a lot. If one finds using it worthless, then leave it! I find few things more pointless pouring money into something that has no utility or value. But for anyone who enjoys the air swirling around you, then yeah, repair the sucker 
Edward
Edward
04-25-2020, 11:08 AM
#21
Three Wheelin'
04-25-2020, 11:17 AM
#22
Addicted Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
OP, good deal! ...and free, to boot! I really wonder what the previous owner was thinking, or just too lazy to even check for himself? Good on you for taking the step! 
Edward
Edward
04-25-2020, 12:31 PM
#23
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Interesting perspective. I find it to be very wide and far enough forward that it enhances the front seat open-air experience.
I even stick my hand out of it to wave to my neighbors as I drive by their lawns, here in the South this is mandatory etiquette.
My large Standard Poodle who regularly rides shotgun in the passenger seat seems to like it too occasionally poking his long snout out the top of the car for a little nasal airconditioning. Kind'a like Turbo-Smells as the odors flash by at road speed.
So respectfully, I have to disagree, I find it to be a really nice feature and in some ways facilitating required social etiquette.
Andy
I even stick my hand out of it to wave to my neighbors as I drive by their lawns, here in the South this is mandatory etiquette.
My large Standard Poodle who regularly rides shotgun in the passenger seat seems to like it too occasionally poking his long snout out the top of the car for a little nasal airconditioning. Kind'a like Turbo-Smells as the odors flash by at road speed.
So respectfully, I have to disagree, I find it to be a really nice feature and in some ways facilitating required social etiquette.
Andy
Last edited by pp000830; 04-25-2020 at 12:55 PM.
04-26-2020, 11:46 PM
#25
The sunroof on the 993 is pretty much worthless. Other than curiosity your really not missing that much.
If it were my car, I'd fix it because having a fully maintained and working car would matter to me more, than the actual functionality/value gained by a working sunroof.
/
If it were my car, I'd fix it because having a fully maintained and working car would matter to me more, than the actual functionality/value gained by a working sunroof.
/
04-27-2020, 09:55 AM
#26
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Marco Island, FL and sometimes New Jersey
Posts: 1,286
Received 382 Likes
on
238 Posts
Happy the OP got it figured out.
/
The following users liked this post:
drodg (04-28-2020)