I picked up a 2003 mini two weeks ago with a malfunction sunroof. Now I got the time and want to diagnose the issue and avoid getting robbed by the dealer. I hope someone can help me out.
The issue:

When I pressed the sunroof button to “open” position, the sunroof will tilt, but will not slide back. The only motion that I observed is the ‘lifting’ of the glass and it stays lifted. No movement at the back (I’m not even sure if the back one moves) glass. No motor sound indicating the motor is stressing. I tried different way opening it (jerk it slowly, pressed and hold, pressed and let go and press again) nothing seems to work.

When I want to close the sunroof, the opened portion will lower acting like is closing, but once is in the closed position, it will automatically pop back up to the tilt position.

I figure two ways to close it. One is get out of the car closing it with the key. The other is to slightly push the close button and let go quickly, and continue to do so until is closed.

I’ve been reading about threads with sunroof malfunction, but mostly are related to “heat” issue.

Maybe I need a replacement motor? Can anyone help?

 

I just screw it up even more. It wouldn't even tilt now.

The manual tells you to use an allen wrench to manually open/close it... so I had the roof opened up to the tilt position, then use allen wrench to open it ( I don't know why the hell I did that for I guess I was hoping it would magically work!) and now the tilt function won't even work.^&*^&^#^$&#

 

NVM.

I got it working.

FYI. Soon after I thought I "messed" up even more I got so depressed and took a nap. About an hour later I got to the car and trying my luck... BOOM it was working fine!

What I did before leaving the car was that I opened up the clock, manually closing it until is tight. I took off the switch and unplugged the connector (I'm talking about the open/close switch for the sunroof) and reinserting it again. However, I do noticed something different. I intially reported that my sunroof will 'tilt' but will not opened. Now I got working, the 'tilt' position was acutually different. Before... the entire sunroof lifted (even the front portion), now only the back that lifts and the front side stationed. I think my problem with the sunroof being it wasn't properly latched that causes the issue. Maybe.. just maybe because I manually closed the roof, I might have released the 'knot' by messing with it.

 

Good work ! Remember, our MINI's have some British DNA

Could be you reset the motor when disconnecting the power to the switch...