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How-To: Resetting Sunroof "0" Position

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calibrate howto position reset resetting stays open sunroof won't close
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75K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  DLT  
A
#1 ·
If your sunroof refuses to close fully when the potentiometer is in the "roof closed" position, this is what you need to do:

  1. Take off the sunroof motor cover.
  2. Get the sunroof as close to the fully closed position as possible, either by messing with the switch a bit or using the "emergency operation" hex key located on the back of the sunroof motor cover. If you're using the key and the sunroof seems a bit hard to move, try pushing the key in a bit further. The sunroof should then become much easier to move.
  3. Detach the sunroof motor. It is held in place with three T25 screws. One of the screws is a bit hard to reach, so if your Torx bits aren't long enough, you might be able to get by with removing only two screws.
  4. With the harness still attached to the motor, turn the ignition on. If you weren't able to remove one of the screws in step 3, tilt the motor a bit so that it is able to move about freely. Cycle the sunroof switch through the following positions: roof tilted, roof closed, roof opened, roof closed.
  5. Keep the ignition on and re-attach the motor. The Bentley manual discourages from re-using the screws, but I didn't see a problem with it. The torque spec is 3.5 Nm.
  6. Test the sunroof operation. Everything should now be back to normal.

If you happen to be swapping the motor on a properly-working sunroof, make sure that: the ignition is off, a door is open, and sunroof is in the closed position. Otherwise, you'll have to reset the motor using the steps above.

The same info-base/DIY disclaimer applies: neither I nor PassatWorld or its members are responsible for any damage you may have caused to your car by following the steps in this how-to.
 
N
#3 ·
I only get this problem with sunroof opening back up when I try to close it on hot summer days when my car has been sitting in the sun for some time. The issue goes away when I start driving and everything cools down a little.
 
#6 ·
In this case, it sounds like the "pinch protection" is kicking in. When the roof is closing, if the system feels too much resistance to movement, it assumes your fingers or something is in the open roof and being crushed. The "pinch protection" is a safety feature that opens the roof back up so no one gets hurt.

If the track system is binding and resisting roof movement, it can cause the pinch protection to kick in. You may need to lube the tracks or inspect to see if something is broken or out of alignment.
 
A
#9 ·
My '03 Passat had such problem once: sunroof kept opening up when potentiometer was in the close position.

I found out it was because when I opened the inside sunroof cover, I pulled back a little too much. So, the cover prevented the sunroof from being closed. I fix that by pulled the inside cover of the sunroof forward a little bit.

I was driving, so I had to find a place that I can park my car to figure that out.
 
D
#11 ·
Thanks for info. I spilled some water in passenger side and wanted to sure and dry carpet. I opened sunroof and doors for a couple of hours. Then sunroof would close, but immediately open. I read your post and couldn't see cover with sunroof open. I turned on key and turned sunroof to close. When sunroof started to close, it 'caught' the cover and I pulled it about half open. Sunroof closed and stayed closed. Thanks for post, I never would have thought about the cover keeping it from staying closed.
 
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