sunroof trauma!! (complete beginner_)

[AAZ10]

I have a 1989 Scirocco Scala, owned it since 1998 and its still a real head turner. This year however age has caught up on her and the sun roof crank just turns and makes a loud clicking noise- the thing doesn't move. Well it kinda lowers down a bit but not enough to let me see anything. Its now leaking causing the drivers footwell to fill with water. Its all getting pretty bad.

I don't know where to start and neither do the garages over here ( I'm in Northern Ireland) first guy didn't even touch it and told me it "needed a whole new mechanism" which was code for 'go away we haven't a clue'
The second guy told me I would have to drop the headlining to get access to the sun roof mechanism. Surely not?

I would almost plan a road trip to some one who could help me get the sun roof open in this great summer weather.

In the meantime can anyone give me a pointer on how I could get started-
-how I would investigate myself
-what is likely to be faulty
- and where I should look for replacement mechanism

I have owned a mark 3 for a few years- very boring in comparison, but my one criteria when buying a car is a sunroof, my mark 2 polo had one, my alfa romeo brera had one and my scirocco has one and its killing me that I cant get it open

Thanks in advance
Andrew

[BlackGTX]

common problem, pm joost for new tilt runners. new seal can be had from heritage

[Jerry Atric]

If you look down the list of posts , you'll find a post I put up regarding a stuck sunroof on my "D" reg GTX.

I got some great advice from members on here and the most useful link is below. Find out which part of the file applies to you as there are a couple of different versions and then copy .
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/ma ... oledVW.pdf

The hard bit will be getting access to the sunroof which in essence means sliding the interior sunroof panel lining backwards. Once that is done you can access the runners etc. However, the panel needs to have a spring removed first which requires the roof to be tilted. If your mechanism is bu**ered, there may still be a way to tilt it by removing the winder and cog and then moving the mechanism using a screwdriver to turn the cables....very tortuous for sure and someone else may be able to explain better. First thing to do is read that link and find the section that applies to your sunroof.

Wishing you good luck as I agree that a sunroof is a real worthwhile plus on these/any cars. Cheers, Frank

[DT1]

Its now leaking causing the drivers footwell to fill with water.

The sunroof always leaks, those seals don't make it waterproof, that's why it has drainage holes in each corner.

I would check to see if any of the drainage channels are blocked. If you are having trouble removing the roof you can clear the channels by poking a long piece of cable flex up where the 4 drainage hoses exit the car.

[AAZ10]

Thanks for the feedback and commentary so far guys! If it stays dry I might have a go on Saturday

[mark1gls]

The sun roof is clicking because it's slipping on the worm drive, you will need to reset it so it will open all the way, I had a similar problem on a mk2 golf, a good clean and regrease helped but I had to take the sunroof out to do this.

Guide here on sunroof, the pictures will go bigger if you click on them.

http://www.timbox.net/technotes/sunroof ... /#more-549