Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

A couple of torrential downpours here in Norwich and unfortunately my 944 sunroof is definitely leaking.

I've noticed my sunroof outer seal is slightly perished with age and perimeter of the inner seal has a small gap and also lifts easily off the guide metal.

Porscheshop sell the two seals for around 90 quid so not too bad. I would tackle the job of fitting the seals myself, however, that will require removal of the sunroof.... which after five weeks of ownership I still haven't figured out.

On maximum opening, my sunroof only lifts a modest amount of about 35mm at the rear. Does that sound right? I'm guessing if my roof is not opening enough that's probably the reason I can't remove it.

Any thoughts please on how much the 944 sunroof should open and how many hours of labour it should be for the garage to replace the seals?

Thanks

Mark

To remove the sunroof, first turn the ignition key to accessories, ie no ignition lights on dash, then push sunroof switch as if you were closing it and the 2 arms should retract down into the roof, then unclip the 2 front latches and tilt the roof up from the rear and (maybe 2 people for this part) lift the roof off the wind deflector, and slide roof panel into the bag in the boot

Thanks for your comments.

... so you remove the sunroof starting from the closed position??? Is that correct?

I'd been trying to remove the sunroof by tilting it open on the switch and then attempted to remove it. Was that where I was going wrong?

Thanks again

Mark

You can replace the seals yourself. Should take between one & two hours. If you get them from JMG they will be cheaper & a very good fit. Did this to mine recently. Around £50 from memory. You don't trim the seal. Just feed it around until it's even for the outer. Inner may need tailoring near the hinges so the roof slides over ok. Very easy job. NB Porsche no longer do these seals so every seal you get will be reproduction. The JMG ones fit as they should. Some of the others definitely don't. It's a myth that early & late cars have different size seals. The slot is the same size for all of them.

Yes start off with roof closed, I forgot to add refitting is the reversal of removal

Thanks again.

Weather permitting, will try that first thing in the morning - might get the sunroof off before the end of the summer after all!.... and if that is the case, will tackle the job on the seals myself (have already been on the JMG website).

Cheers

Mark

Hi,

You'll only ever take the sunroof panel out once. You'll find it such a faff, you won't bother again. The only time my roof panel came out was for maintenance and cleaning.

Also check the drain holes in each corner when the sunroof panel is removed. These get blocked over time so this could also be causing a problem. The front drain holes should drain out at the bottom of the windscreen in the engine bay if I'm correct. The rear drain holes should drain out under the rear wheel arches. A small syringe filled with water is ideal for checking whether they are draining correctly.

Ben

Thanks Ben

I've been away for the past couple of days up in the Peak District - was intending to take my 'new' 944S to enjoy the twisty roads up there, but, starting the journey with sodden carpets, damp seats and a clicking noise under the passenger side dash (presumably from a damp electrical contact) kind of put me off so ended up taking our other car.

Anyways, you've certainly put me off attempting to take the sunroof off. If it's as much of a hassle as you indicate I'm probably best leaving well alone given I need to park the car on street so if I can't get it back on I've had it.

Best option seems to be to take it to Autowerke here in Norwich tomorrow morning and see what they say.... I imagine they've seen the same sunroof related problems many times before.

Cheers

Mark

Hi Mark,

It wasn't my intention to put you off replacing the seals. It really is straight forward to do. I think JJ has recently done it as posted on this topic.

I was using an incorrect method for removing the sunroof panel. When I did use the correct method, I ended up stripping all the white sunroof cogs. I don't know whether or not that was caused by me removing the panel incorrectly in the first place. I replaced them and all was fine afterward. I just found it such a faff to take the panel out, I just found it easier to use the tilt up/down function to let in a bit of additional air.

You could try this previous TIPEC link below that covered sunroof operation some time ago:

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2763&hilit=sunroof+operation&start=15

I hope you find it helpful.

Ben

Ben

Thanks for the additional information.

I followed your guidance today trying to get the sunroof out. I turned the key to the first position and then used the sunroof rocker switch, but, nothing happened - no whirring of the sunroof motor and no releasing of the sunroof at the rear. It seems my sunroof is not functioning correctly and no matter what I do, I won't be able to remove it.

I am struggling with the leaky sunroof concept a bit though. When I opened the sunroof tilt earlier to inspect the situation I expected the channel between the inner seal and the lip of the roof of the car to be filled with water or at least wet all round, but, it was by and large dry.

Anyway, Autowerke should be more than up to sorting out the problem and the car is now booked in for next Tuesday for the sunroof seals to be replaced. Probably best they do the work with the seals rather than me anyway as if there is still a problem with water ingress then at least I'll have some come back with them.

Cheers

Mark

Hey Mark,

have a peak at this link, I removed my roof to find it wouldn't lock back down, no motor working. With a bit of digging about on the forums found this and tracked the problem down quick as you could blink. Might be same microswitches causing your problem, not replaced mine yet I just use my finger

http://forums.tipec.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=8381

Hi Mark,

It's probably best getting Autowerke to sort it out. It sounds like one or more of the microswitches is out of position possibly causing it not to retract properly (one microswitch for each lifting arm). These can be a little tricky to get aligned right so you get correct sunroof operation. Other possibility is the 3rd microswitch at the front of the sunroof is duff. I'm sure it will get sorted. Let us know how you get on.

Ben

Hi mark, I personally take my sun roof out quite a bit, with time ur be able 2 get it in ur boot with 30 secs. and with central locking it will lock back down when you lock the door. Iv changed my cogs twice in a row but this was due 2 the body shop not been able 2 remove it probley, even after shown, if you keep the button down to long it strips a thoot or 2 off the cog then it become out of line. Jump and strip out. There 3 blanking cap covers in the shape off a triangle, there a micro switch in there, it tell if the roof in place. Try putting some pressure on it when u try the button. Also electric windows will work if the doors open. There's a oem sunroof seal 4 sale by Porsche apart on eBay 70 pounds. The cogs are about 20 delivered. Really easy job. Try 1st could save 2-4 hour labour charge. It's just a few screws after all

The clicking noise is the fan cooling relay. Mines been doing it, iv replaced the relay and still got the problem. It takes awhile 2 come on normally around the time it telling the fan 2 come on. When it starts and is in full swing, try pulling the relay and see if it stops. This will tell u which relay it is