I know it's been covered many times , almost as much as replacing a fuel pump but I need help with my sunroof on my 98 XJ8. If I push forward no sound , no nothing . Push backwards and it's just a motor running sound . The back part of my shade is stuck inside the roof . Any help or suggestions would help.

 

Welcome to the forums HappyHippie67,

As it's model-specific, I've moved your question from General Tech Help to X308 forum. Members here with the same model will be able to help.

Please read the guidance for new members ( https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/n...ned-up-241802/ ) which answers many of the most frequent questions about getting started.

Graham

 

I have a XJ8 . It didn't occur to me to go to the 308 thread . Sorry bout that

 

This thread may be entirely unrelated, but in case not, it was posted today on the x350 forum: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...solved-185342/

 

If I push forward no sound , no nothing .
>> this suggests the controller thinks the sunroof is tilted up so there's no where to go moving forward

Push backwards and it's just a motor running sound .
>> this would suggest the motor isn't driving the cables connected to the tilt mechanism to send it backwards.

The back part of my shade is stuck inside the roof .
>> this is a separate issue and usually caused by the tilt mechanism becoming disconnected from the rear part of the liner. Easily fixed if nothing is broken.

The sunroof mechanism isn't easy to work on in place but getting it out is easy and will take about an hour. With multiple issues I'd just recommend pulling it out and resolving the issue out of the car. There are plenty of posts on dropping the headliner and videos on youtube. You don't need to remove the headliner from the car just lower it. With the headliner lowered, the sunroof mechanism is just held in with a few bolts on either side and easily comes out through the front door openings.

With the mechanism out of the car you can work out why the motor isn't driving the tilt mechanism, recalibrate the controller and reattach the rear shade. Then reinstall as a single unit. Much easier than trying to work on it with it in the car.

I'd suspect that the complex tilt/slide mechanism may have some broken parts. They are fragile and easily broken. The tilt mechanism can be replaced as a part but you may find it easier to get a complete mechanism from a scrap yard. Try Car-part.com

 

One other thing. The motor is designed to disengage from the mechanism. Rotating it manually 90 degrees with a large screwdriver may re-engage it. See the attachment for more information on this.