Sunroof motor and loom

[ejectorbed]

Hi,

I picked up a sunroof motor and loom for my 1991 E30 off ebay. Any advice on how this is fitted?

[DesktopDave]

It can use the plate for the crank roof if you reconfigure it a bit.  I'll snap a pic later so you can see how they're different.  Run the loom down the a-pillar to the plugs under the dash.  I think the connector also runs down to the power window circuit breaker...if you have manual windows you'll have to splice or wire a fuse.

The power roof mounting plate has slightly different mounts with three bolts IIRC and a clip for the relay.  I'd just epoxy a nut in there to take the motor mounting bolts.

I'm pretty sure the motor has to be aligned with the roof too...as it rotates the cables it has a spur wheel to determine when to stop or lift the panel...that has to be timed properly or you might crack your lift blocks.

[longtallsally]

I would highly recommend getting the correct plate.  I tried to do it with the original plate and it ended up being just as much of a hassle.

Here are some shots from when I did it:



What needed to be cut off:



Initial placement of the motor:





Only 2 of the bolts go in after an hour or so of hacking with the dremmel:



It seems like it would be a huge pita, but go to a yard and pull the electric bracket.  I went to a yard and went about pulling the old one as a means of learning how to do it without destroying my headliner.  I'm very glad I did.

I just found the thread on E30tech on this.  If you go to page 2 you can see my responses and how much better it is to do with the correct bracket.

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44036

[DesktopDave]

That's some good advice.  I was going to epoxy a nut to pick up the third mount point, but removing the plate & tubes entirely is the best idea.  I don't know what to do about the headliner...getting at the rear tube bolts isn't possible with it in place...but it's a simple job otherwise.

[longtallsally]

That's some good advice.  I was going to epoxy a nut to pick up the third mount point, but removing the plate & tubes entirely is the best idea.  I don't know what to do about the headliner...getting at the rear tube bolts isn't possible with it in place...but it's a simple job otherwise.

O contraire mon fraire!  It sure is accessible!  You absolutely can get to those bolts and it's not very hard either.  Like I said, when I removed it from the junk yard car, I was careful with the headliner, treating it like it was my own and that showed me how to do it.  A helper is best and a little patience is key.  We removed the door seals and the A pillar cover to pull the headliner away a bit for easier access.

The biggest issue that I found was the now very brittle styrofoam stuff up there.

[ejectorbed]

That's great advice. Thanks for the link to the full instructions.
Looks like I have everything I need to complete the job except the motor fixing plate, but managed to source one from ebay. Don't fancy slicing up the manual plate.

I'll post an update on my progress once I find the time to complete the job.

Thanks again