A Technical Question Answered

My 1987 911 Carrera has a non-working sunroof. I can hear the cables operate but there is no movement of the insert. Any thoughts?

John Paterek: 911 sunroof cables or drives have been known to sheer off at the cast guides. The roof remains in the locked position. You must remove the sunroof liner insert and trip the drives with a small screwdriver or unbolt them from the insert. The factory has superseded all drives to Carrera 2 type (964.564.143.00 and 964.564.144.100). They have a felt covering on the cable to reduce the noise and fit a larger diameter sunroof track. On pre-1990 911s, the guide must be hand filed to the smaller diameter of the old track. If not, the drives will lock in the guide. Pre-1984 911s will fail due to plastic trip mechanisms. Try to find new-old-stock (NOS) 1984 style cables or file as suggested by the Porsche dealer.

Reprinted from Upfixin der Porsche, Volume ll Porsche Panorama's 11-volume technical anthology can be purchased from the PCA Executive Office at 703/451-9000 or at www.pca.org.