i have a 1998 audi a4 2.8 and my sunroof will not close, i believe their is something jammed in it, or it could be my motor, but it just wont close properly.

 

The plastic guides that sit on the track are broken, I'm sure. It's a common problem in which the plastic becomes old and brittle. It falls into the track which is not the problem. The problem is the sunroof jams up against the plastic that hasn't broken off yet because it's now sitting on bare metal about 2mm lower than the plastic it should be on.

You're best bet is to close it and disconnect the controller for now. Then replace the entire unit with one that's in good condition if you can find one. I've tried to fix mine...removed every piece, thoroughly cleaned it, etc, but it just wouldn't work properly.

If you want to try that, I can talk you through some of it. It's pretty basic, but will get frustrating trying to do on your own. I think I put about 15+ hours into trying to fix mine, including having ripped all the plastic off and settled for no sunroof.

 

i have the same problem im just trying to close my sunroof dont want to have it open anymore there a way to get it closed

 

If it's blocked enough, you'll have to take it out and clean the pieces out. The plastic is pretty strong and hard to break, hence it not closing, but brittle too. The track is coated in grease. If you have an air compressor, I'd try blowing air into it the track area. If you can see the screws holding the glass in, I would remove the glass to try to reach it. The screws are behind plastic guards. They're held in place in a pretty basic method. I think they slide one way or the other and then pop out (no screws on the plastic coverings).

 

ok ok thanks so do i have to take out the head liner and the side panels ??

 

If you're going to remove the sunroof to really clean it, you'd be better off removing it to avoid damaging the headliner. You don't want to put a crease in it while trying to unscrew it. Make sure you're careful removing the sunvisor clips. They break super super easily.

 

My sunroof saga -- might help:

The sunroof wouldn't close all the way. It would close 3/4 of the way and then retract, like it was sensing something stuck in it. I had to pull it shut by hand or use the manual crank (allen wrench, located in fuse compartment, connects via little covered area behing sunroof switch/interior lights panel).

I spent hours pulling the headliner and removing the sunroof so I could clean and grease the track.

Didn't work -- I kept having to pull it by hand until I partially broke the spring loaded rear sunroof glass holder.

Removed the glass, was able to replace the parts that popped off, and then went to test the mechanism with the glass still removed. DON'T DO THIS! It completely trashes the spring mechanism when the glass is off and you retract the mechanism.

Got a complete sunroof glass, mechanism, and motor from salvage yard for $60.

Spent hours removing the headliner and replacing the sunroof. Made sure to reconnect the sunroof drain hoses.

Went to use sunroof and still had the original problem. Turns out it was just a dirty/bent sunroof switch.

Cleaned contacts with rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip. Works 100% now.

I can remove the headliner in 30 minutes now.

 

I'm having the same trouble with my sunroof. How do you get at the contacts to clean them??

 

These should help:

:: a4mods.com :: - The Premiere Audi A4 Modification Guide and Pictures Library

AudiWorld Tech Articles

 

Thanks for the help Skythe. I'll try tearing it apart this week and cleaning everything up. Hopefully that help.