This is a very common problem and easy to fix. You need to re-syncronize your sunroof motor. The procedure is in the archives and described in Bentleys very nicely. Basicly, fist close your sunroof with the manual tool to where it should be. Then pry open the trim panel in the headliner that contains your sunroof switch. Disconnect the wires for the switch and the courtesy light. Remove the three screws holding the sunroof motor/transmission (keep them separate, one is longer.. remember where it goes) and the motor will drop down. Get your tool (ie: hex wrench) back out and rotate the gear until the hole in the gear (may be filled with grease) is aligned with the centers(hubs)of the 2 gears and the screw hole on the end of the unit opposite the motor. This will set your gears in the right sync to activate the microswitch correctly.

Then sinply place the motor back up in position in the roof (without moving the gears.. don't worry, its not that easy to move them)replace the screws, reconnect the wires (check its operation now). If it works perfectly, then simply replace the trim panel and you are done!..

Good luck!

Philly Bob

88 735i's (x2)

The sunroof on my '88 735 slides real easy on the track as it opens and closes. When it get an inch away of closing, it stops. It's like the motor thinnks it is at the end of its cycle and is closed. When I get the Allen wrench out to close it all the way, it closes with ease which tells me there is nothing binding it on the track. Is there a trip switch, like on a garage door opener, that might need to be adjusted?