Audi 80 1994; lifting part of sunroof will not retract fully. Stops about half an inch short. Motor still working - just will not shut fully.

check fuse and relay if good than possible motor ot track problem their should be a mechanical bypass that will let you close it if stuck open the following information is courtesy of monte carlo forum

To check the condition of your original sunroof guides:

1. Gl*** in closed position.
2. Locate & remove 3 torx bolts on each side of sunroof glass. Lift glass out of sunroof opening & set aside in a safe place.
3. Locate "J" shaped cover plate at front of sunroof track assembly. Remove 2 torx bolts from each cover plate.
4. Lift up bracket to remove.
5. Inspect the plastic guides on each side. The sunroof cables attach to guides on front outer corner. Inspect this area closely for damage.
6. Do not operate the sunroof with the J plates removed.

Troubleshooting:

If the sunroof guides are not broken & the glass is a uniform height along the rear edge your problem may be a stripped gear inside the motor. The motor has a manual override:

1. Get access to the motor by removing the map light/switch console or lowering the front of the headliner.
2. Insert a large standard screwdriver into the nylon bushing at the center of the motor hub. Push up & turn the screwdriver to manually move the sunroof glass. If the unit will fully open & close manually, you most likely only need a replacement motor.

If your sunroof is stuck in the open position follow these steps to get it closed:

1. Remove the glass.
2. Try to close the unit without the glass. Many times one side will still be operational and close correctly.
3. Try to slide the inoperable lift arm forward. If it moves, slide it forward until it stops.
4. You now need to slide the original plastic guide forward to lower the arm to the closed position. Using a standard screwdriver, push it forward. The lift arm should begin to lower.
5. If the lift arm will still not fully lower, remove the J plate as explained above, sometimes the sunroof cable will need to be lifted up to allow the guide to fully slide forward.
6. Reinstall glass.

alot. their is a rubber belt that runs the sunroof and in order to replace it you half to remove the head liner, remove the roof support arm then you will be into the motor

If your e36 has tilt option,PRESS AND HOLD TILT
Watch sunroof when it tilts wait untill it lifts a further half inch
This will happen in about 30/45 seconds
Providing you have no problems,this will reset

try this first (cheapest remedy first) open the sunroof fully take key out of ignition shut all doors then put the key in drivers door and hold key over 30 secs to unlock car(windows will go down)then wait 30 secs.then put key back in drivers door and hold key over 30 secs to lock car,windows will go up and the sunroof will close.if the sunroof does not shut properly then we start with motor park switch.....

bad motor or bad switch

try some engine oil on teh moving parts

Turn ignition on, make the sunroof go up and all the way down, turn off ignition and press the sunroof button to go down. Then unclip the 2 front hooks and push up.

Some customers may comment that the sunroof will no longer respond to the control switch while in a vented, partially opened, or fully opened position.
Cause A software issue with the sunroof control module may cause the sunroof control module to incorrectly indicate a "closed" position, which may result in no power to the sunroof motor.
Correction Verify the customer concern. If a condition is present, replace the sunroof control module with a new sunroof control module, P/N 15847643. Refer to the Service Procedure in this bulletin.
Service Procedure

1. Verify the customer concern by opening and closing the sunroof. • If the sunroof will not open , check the power windows. - If the power windows are also inoperative, check the fuse. If the fuse has opened, refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 05-08-64-004 to install 30A circuit breaker. - If the power windows are fully functional, refer to "Power Sunroof Inoperative" diagnostics (SI Document ID# 1392967) in the Body section of the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox or Saturn VUE Service Manual. • If the sunroof will open (or is already open), but will not close , proceed to Step 2.
2. Replace the sunroof control module. Refer to "Sunroof Control Module Replacement" procedure in the Body section of the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox Service Manual (SI Document ID# 1196049) or Saturn VUE Service Manual (SI Document ID# 1710479).
3. Open and close the sunroof in order to confirm that the customer concern has been resolved.

Parts Information Part Number
Description
Qty
15847643
Sunroof Control Module
1

I assume you've discovered the answer by now. At some point, some one has removed the crank. It is not turning far enough to open the vent fully. Just remove the crank and notice there is a locking pin on the side of the knurled knob near the windshield. With a pair of pliers (gently, don't bung up the knurls) rotate the knob until the vent is fully open; replace the crank and you're done.

Open roof latch over windshild.
Raise rear of roof off of hatch
Lift little hatch tabs to access lift mechanism
Release latches on each side with fingers
Lift Hatch with free hand
Let roof fall into storage compartment
Click hatch shut.
Reverse proceedure to put back up.