190e sunroof problem

[aligardner]

I have just bought a red 190e built in 1990.I am fallign in love with teh car and can see me notching up many miles just for teh sheer joy of driving it.the paint work is like new.anyway...
the only thing which doesn't work is the electric roof. I have been told it needs a new motor , does anyone know anywhere i can get one. Or anywhere that would fit one relatively cheaply .I live in manchester.

 

[wireman]

You may be in trouble with this problem. Mine took 11 hours to fix.
Is the motor silent?
First check the fuse and its contacts in the fuse box. If the fuse box lid is not closed and clamped correctly, damp causes bad terminals in the fuse box,
this is the end for your fuse box so make sure that you close it tight.

Can you open and close the roof with the box spanner as shown in the handbook? if you can it may be the motor or the switches at the motor or next to the interior light. If you can't the mechanism is suspect and this can be a very time consuming task.

Electric power is applied to the control switch then to the stop switch and then to the motor.
If you can disconnect the two motor wires and resistance check the motor (1-2 ohms) this will be proof enough that the motor is dead, if it seems OK try a bit of power to the motor via some cables from the battery via a 15A fuse.

The motor is mounted on the left of the luggage compartment it has a worm reduction gear in the motor assembly which drives a moulded plastic winding drum to push and pull the sliding roof panel via a stiff cable, this winding drum can fail if the roof slides are not lubricated at service intervals.
The cable also passes through the stop switch which is also fitted to the motor assembly. I have heard rumour of the drum being a £200 part.
The switch shuts off power to the motor in the closed position, depending on the tilt/slide open/close selection on the control switch, the stop switch is driven by a second plastic drum from the stiff cable and has to be syncronised to the roof position to make the roof stop in the right place.
The motor may have a thermal fuse burried inside it and these things can fail, you can get at a window motors innards and fix this, but I do not know about the roof motor but it looks similar and should have one to prevent fire.

Failiure of the stiff cable is a possiblity, its not an easy job to do but given a dry place you can do it.
Should the fault be mechanical in the roof you need to remove the roof slide assembly and you have to remove the trim in a manner that it can be re-fitted to enable access to the real bit, this is very time consuming.

 

[malcolm lee]

Very informative. As you say major diy to reconnect motor gearbox to cable tube especially if the connecting spring clips for the tubes are missing.
The motor is working but the roof can only be moved by manually turning the drive shaft. I will check the motor resistance as you say (pins 1 and 4 to open)as the cable and plastic wheel teeth seem ok

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Check this out on Google Search this - Pelican Parts
Then at the top in blue - click on How To Articles .After you choose Mercedes then click on W 201 or190E both these models are the same body as yours .The W201 was very rare to be found in the USA , so they dont cater for it , then the year Now scroll down to - Basic Maintenance W201 Sun Roof
This is just to check inside the sun roof when you get it open .You might find it help full .

 

[malcolm lee]

Yes thanks for the info. Pelican are v. helpful and I previously checked their site. I've had the complete assembly stripped down, cleaned and regreased. As I said the motor turns but still won't move the roof. Motor and brushes look OK but it's hard to determine if it could be the ageing insulation on the motor affecting the torque,so options are buy replacement, try motor repair company or take a chance and buy a new replacement on e-bay and accept hassle if that also has a problem.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

I have one in my roof .And i have used it a few times in the 5 years i have owned it.But last night we went to a b-b-q at my cousins on the way i used it, come what may . It worked fine ,but i will be servicing the sliding roof now i know it will open and close without any problems .. I know its hard to remove the workings,, but as i say to myself,, it went in it,, will come out .And this is the weather to get stuck in to the sliding roof,and not when its raining..

 

[malcolm lee]

Good news, I had a final check before removing motor and re-tightened the 16mm?nut on the drive shaft as I previously couldn't find a specified torque setting. Thought, too tight it may blow fuse or thermal link.Anyway, now moves back and forward but no pop-up yet. Like you, only use a few times but now it can open so will make sure it's regularly greased. Also a lot of trees where I live so sap can gum up the seal and prevent opening.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

I used silicon spray on the seals just to protect them .Its working so far . But dont get the silicon on the body if you do then use polish to remove it .This sun will bake it in to the paint if its left on. Then go and use it on all your door seals just to protect them I use it on all the rubber parts above and bellow the car . This stops it drying out over periods of time . The top hose on my car is still showing Mercedes star and part numbers through the use of the silicon protector .

 

[malcolm lee]

Looks mint. As you say silicon on the seals works well but keep clear of body if you're planning any painting.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Malcolm yes you so right .