Solar sun roof

[IT]

I must have fitted half a dozen D2 solar roofs over years.

It was without question far easier just to swap over the sliding roof panel and wiring contacts, than to consider dropping the whole roof lining to change the whole sunroof tray.

I've not investigated the D3, but I assume the same would likely be true.

I don't think I've ever seen a D3 solar retrofit, so it will be nice to see you sort this. After doing loads on the D2, I sort of grew a bit bored of it, and as I don't keep cars long I've not really done much retrofit work on the D3....

[ScottD3]

Originally Posted by IT

It was without question far easier just to swap over the sliding roof panel and wiring contacts, than to consider dropping the whole roof lining to change the whole sunroof tray.

I've not investigated the D3, but I assume the same would likely be true.

The D2 has the Solar connections and the cables already in the car?

The D3 hasn't. It hasn't got the contacts in the tray or cables that I'm aware of. So its a full tray fit and wire I think.

That's what I'm looking at doing. I can clean this roof up, grease it and do what I can and then fit it all at once.

[IT]

No, the D2 had nothing in it. Some of the very early ones had the loom that ran half way up the A pillar, but non of the sunroof trays have wiring.

But, the solar panel and metal roof were virtually identical. The solar roof has basically two metal contacts that make contact at the very front of the worm drive rail cover. The cover was the only difference on the D2, and each side was bolt on/bolt off held on by a handful of T20 bolts.

You could swap the whole tray, but its a pita to drop the headlining properly, and officially you need to remove the rear windscreen to get it out as Audi deemed the passenger door method (D2) put too much strain on the material and would crease it.

Then, you have to be uber meticulous about reinstalling it all to prevent squeaks which are particularly annoying at head level.

If the D3 is like the D2 and could be done in situ, you could save a lot of time. I don't have a D3 handy at the moment to look at....

The only good reason I can think of for removing a head liner, is to install an alcantara one

[ScottD3]

Originally Posted by IT

No, the D2 had nothing in it. Some of the very early ones had the loom that ran half way up the A pillar, but non of the sunroof trays have wiring.

But, the solar panel and metal roof were virtually identical. The solar roof has basically two metal contacts that make contact at the very front of the worm drive rail cover. The cover was the only difference on the D2, and each side was bolt on/bolt off held on by a handful of T20 bolts.

You could swap the whole tray, but its a pita to drop the headlining properly, and officially you need to remove the rear windscreen to get it out as Audi deemed the passenger door method (D2) put too much strain on the material and would crease it.

Then, you have to be uber meticulous about reinstalling it all to prevent squeaks which are particularly annoying at head level.

If the D3 is like the D2 and could be done in situ, you could save a lot of time. I don't have a D3 handy at the moment to look at....

The only good reason I can think of for removing a head liner, is to install an alcantara one

My sunroof is broke. It wont close unless you force it. Even opening it is a pain.

I'll take a look at mine and see about the contacts removal for future people.

[IT]

Originally Posted by ScottD3

My sunroof is broke. It wont close unless you force it. Even opening it is a pain.

I'll take a look at mine and see about the contacts removal for future people.

Ah ok. That's a game changer....

Feedback on the possibility though may help others

I had a D3 sunroof wouldn't close once. Turned out a piece of road grit had jumped in the rail whilst I was on the motorway and it was jamming the screw. Took some finding. The car was cling film wrapped for 2 nights whilst I figured it out! Its quite unusual to see a D3 with a sunroof issue....

[ScottD3]

I went out to the garage this afternoon to take a look at the sunroof, get my head around what's happening and where all the plugs.

I then noticed that the front left drain thingy was broken.
Closer inspection I noticed the whole front plastic section was cracked from the drain tube up to where the wind deflector motor is normally mounted.

it looks like I can remove the front section of the sun roof. Which isn't to bad if it the one from mine will fit.
I can still have a solar sun roof but how do I remove it?

Does anyone know how to remove the sun roof glass?

[homer simpson]

Hi Scott, did you ever complete this? Was it difficult in the end?