Replace sunroof
 

My sunroof wouldn't close yesterday. I tried to manually help the motor in case it was blocked and the whole thing shattered!

Has anyone tried replacing the sunroof glass? How do you do it?

What parts will I need?

I'm getting replacement glass but need to know other things; seals, clips, whatever, etc.

Thanks!

The sunroof unbolts from the inside. You basically release the flexible trim and there are to 10mm head bolts on each side, then lift off. With the sunroof being back in the roof panel, that's another story.

At this point, you are going to need to remove the entire sunroof cassette and that involves removing the headliner. Sorry, but it is an extensive job and if you stay focused, you'll be able to do it.

Is there any way I can manually crank it closed then unbolt?

Or replace the motor then close the sunroof then unbolt?

If the glass shattered, you probably have fragments all over the tracks. Not only is this a difficult job, I'd recommend eye and other protection due to glass fragments.

I doubt that it was the motor that failed. Usually there is some other type of issue that makes the sunroof jamb. Best to give us a pic of what you have.

I can hear the motor works for ventilation but not at all to open/close. Maybe it's the switch.

Where is the sunroof motor? I didn't see how to remove the sunroof assembly from the inside.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/volvofo...f4af648c16.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/volvofo...f5ac062e20.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/volvofo...40f8254f9e.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/volvofo...b7e60aa144.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/volvofo...bbf49314c8.jpg

I doubt that it is the switch. I have never had one fail. I have had sunroofs jamb and often the cure is to lubricate the sliders. Of course, you're way past that at this point. I am sorry that I have to be the one giving the news.

The headliner needs to come out and the sunroof assembly is attached to the roof as an assembly or cassette. This is one of those cases where the entire assembly needs to be on the bench to do a proper diagnosis and repair.

The motor is right above the switch. If it works then it is fine.

Tony,

Thank you for your input.

I ordered the replacement glass. After that, I will mount and install.

Any tips on the headliner removal/install?

Thanks,

Allen

I would recommend purchasing a subscription to www.alldatadiy.com. You can buy a less than one year subscription by entering a discount code DIY2018 at checkout. You can see how to remove the headliner and also then the sunroof assembly without guessing, breaking unnecessary items and otherwise saying a lot of bad words along the way.

Tony,

Thank you for your advice. I got the subscription.

This weekend, I pulled out the headliner and sunroof cartridge. I had to snip the two cables to the sun visors. Otherwise, the disassemble was pretty straight forward as described at ALLDATADIY.COM.

The reason my sunroof jammed and then shattered was because the tar paper got stuck to the glass after being opened under the hot sun.

I have a replacement sunroof glass coming. It was almost $700! Yow.

The little plastic parts that comprise the sliding mechanisms that fit into the runners to which the sunroof glass is attached is like a Rubics Cube. I'm afraid I might not get all the cartridge pieces to fit together and I'll end up breaking one of those plastic pieces or the glass itself. The info at DIY is accurate but pretty high level. Any tips?

Carefully inspect everything for damage. If none found, then clean all of the pieces the best that you can without disassembly. If it looks like you are going to need to disassemble, then do so carefully.

I am not sure what you mean by tarpaper, a few pics would be helpful

As far as the sunroof goes, I'm surprised that you didn't source a used one from eBay or something.

I had to replace the sunroof glass because it had shattered. This required removing the sunroof cartridge.

The sunroof glass is attached to the sunroof cartridge rails with a rubric of interlocking plastic glides and levers and little clips. Not fun.

In order to bolt in the new glass, I had to completely disassemble the rubric.

1999-2005 C70 sunroof glass is not interchangeable with any other Volvo year or model.

Plus, most C70's 1st gen were convertibles. Only 135 coupes made it to US. Hence, the cost of the replacement glass. Not after market manufacturers either. Sux.

Okay. Knowing Volvo's typical interchange of parts, I wrongly presumed that a glass from a V70 would fit yours. Wrong!

Glad you are getting it back together. I guess that the AllData subscription was priceless.