Hi,
Just got this car, just joined the forum. I'll likely be around a good bit as the car's in need of some help.

Immediate issue is a manual sunroof that won't close. In the dozen times we've opened and closed it, it's begun progressivley closing less and less. In full open the crank will make some ratching sounds on last half turn. Makes a few during return too. Once it stops turning there's daylight and rear is still recessed a good bit.

Searching the forum didn't offer me much. I'd appraciate some guidance!
Thanks,
Jeff

 

Make sure the crank didn't come loose from the roof.

 

I have an '82 244 Gl with a manual sunroof and i just had the same problem. If ur problem is that the crank just wont turn anymore even though the sunroof is not compleatly closed its an easy fix. What you need to do is close the sunroof as much as you can until the crank stops. Then take off the crank (its just one screw) and then there will be a little silver gearbox directlt underneath it that can be taken off easily with another two screws (all of this is pretty obvious if you just look at it from inside). Your problem is that the gearbox is only designed to turn a certian number of times in either direction until it just stops. Take off this gearbox and then push the sunroof all the way back (open) with your hands. Now turn the gear on the top of the box all the way in the opposite direction and reinstal it. Now you should be able to open/close it all the way no problem.
PS. the ratcheting sound you heard is the reason for the problem it happens because after the sunroof is open (or almost open) the gear on top of that box slips on the gears that are attached to the sunroof so it turns farther when you open it than its supposed to and eventually it will make enough slipping turns that the gear reaches its end before the roof is totally closed. so an easy way to prevent this is just to close it all the way and turn it some more so it ratchets again.
Best of luck.

 

You describe 100% what I found/learned when I went in there. I believe the gear on the sunroof mechanism is stripped a bit which adds to the ratcheting sound. I'll tackle assessing it's replacement another time. I'm just tickled that I was able to get it closed tightly (it's raining now!).

 

I'm gonna try this right now!
Thanks Funnyguy!
This makes so much sense.

 

Unbelievable how this little part has the gearing inside to stop after so many turns. I almost want to take it apart to see how this thing works. Yes after removing the two screws it couldn't get any simpler.

 

Wow I was screwing around and opened up the sunroof and this exact thing happened at 11pm right before I was going to go inside for the night. I thought I was going to have to take the headliner out you are a lifesaver