2014 R56. HARDTOPbought 2nd hand several years ago.
I opened the sunroof a bit to give my dog some air when visiting the library for a few minutes on a hot day as I do often on hot days - never open it more than that.

Now it won't close - it acts like the "Pinch Prrotection" is sensing a blockage: stops trying to close, reverses to 'open' a moment, ( to "unpinch") then quits. Repeated attempts to close have resulted in it now is completely open. There is a procedure on page 30 of my manual to emergency close it, but doesn't work. I've read here that "The Manual" has cranking instructions, but my manual does not, and seems to be a "Machine Translation" from German - very difficult to be sure what it's actually saying.

I have read on this & other forums that the motor can be turned by hand with a hex-drive crank (none is in the car but there is a place in the tool-storage unit for one). PROBLEM IS: HOW to access the motor to crank it?? I have many hex "allen" tools but cannot get the switch-plate off to get to the motor. Even bought plastic parts- puller, it just won't pull off - are there screws somewhere ??

HELP, Please, -OLY

 

While I’m not sure how to manually close it, i can offer an alternate solution. Apply light pressure with your hand to the centre front portion of the sunroof when it is closing before it “bounces” up. That usually does it for me.

 

Take the plastic cover off and detach the
connector.
Remove the two screws on the plate and
press and release the 6 catches on the
sides of the plate.
I think they are torx screws but don’t
remember for sure.
Use a 4 mm Allen key to turn the motor
(it’s pretty stiff and requires some effort,
pushing on the sunroof while turning may
help).
Re-initialize the sunroof later in cooler
weather by holding the switch forward (close)
one click (not all the way) until the roof opens
fully and then closes again.
It takes about 30-60 seconds to do this.

 

Thanks - mine is ALL THE WAY back (it worked it's way back by "backing away from the pinch") that it "feels" several times.

I can't get it to close AT ALL, but your suggestion sounds perfect if it was just not seating in place as it closes. Sorry my descriotion not very good.

The "Pinch Protection" is a GREAT feature: if you have a hand or a kid in the way, the system "feels" that something is in the way & could cause serious injury - so it stops, and backs up to release the victim - but mine must just be reacting to (maybe) something in the rails that makes it "Think" someone is trapped.

-Oly

 

Thak you !!

From what you are saying It sounds like there ARE screws holding the switch plate - I'll try that.

-Oly

 

I have made an appointment with a local shop - dealer is too far away.

Still cannot get switch plate off to access motor.

2 Photos of the situation. First the switch plate which has to be out of the way to reach motor - red arrows indicate "screws" which I cannot find any tool that will match them - maybe not "screws" at all.

Second photo is the stuff on the roof with things removed to get at the switch plate which I CANNOT get off,

 

Yours looks a little different than mine (2007 R55).
On mine, the access plate that has to come off to access the allen hole for the motor is behind
(above on the photo) the switch plate with 2 T20 screws about 1.5" behind switches 2 and 5
on the switch plate.
I see you have a 2014 R56 (???).
Isn't that a 3rd gen F56?
Maybe someone else with a later model can chime in.

 

See if these give you some useful advice:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ive/1VnXtfBqhi

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ive/1VnXxroYIP

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ive/1VnY0wY6rR

 

Following instructions you supplied (THANK YOU !!!) I got to the motor, but looking at the motor, it looks like trying to hand-crank it would be working AGAINST a worm-drive, attempting to drive the driven (output) gear which is not mechanically possible & will just strip the gear.

The "Find Manual" thing just gets me into a loop with CHROME which either has no manuals for this sort of thing, or requires an advanced degree in "Using Chrome", which I do not have time for.

So far I have taken it to a local shop, telling them I just need ir CLOSED, I do not intend to attempt to open it ever again.

I am not sure the motor has been removed, but forcing it against the WORM DRIVE motor will break something.

They are thinking of forcing it closed by pushing the fronglass panel forward physically.

At this point I am wondering how to just get out from under this whole mess - once it gets rained on it will be a total loss, but I have no idea if insurance will cover such a problem.

The moderators have MOVED my original post to some other area where it can't be found.

I am getting pretty desperate - I don't know how to get out of this - at this point I just need it closed &/or to somehow get rid of this car.

 

I took the problem to a foriegn-car shop and they were able to get the sunoof in place, but advied me that they can't guarantee that it will close again - which is fine with me - I find that I really do not like having the full blast of the sun on me - all I ever really used it for was to open it a few inches in warm weather to help with ventilation for my dog when she had to be left in the car while shopping or going to the Library - which is where it was when it failed, and I have since heard that this Dog - Cooling" is a common thing with sunroof cars.

From the description the mechanic gave me, I think maybe the problem started out from only opening it a bit so tree debris may have accumulated.

Thanks, all fo the support !!

-Oly

 

I have same issue, f56 … one day vented and then heard a popping when closing, it went to open position durring a rain storm and wouldn’t close… it seems as drivers side lost something as motor mostly pulls passenger side before ‘binding’ and releasing back to open position… I can’t get to motor as of yet, pushing by hand got it closed once, made the mistake of thinking it fixed it by resetting it somehow and now it won’t close or go into vent mode again

 

Yep the cable might have lengthened or jumped track.

Only things you can get are the frame itself' https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...f/54107379616/

Diagram: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...86#54107379616

And with the F56+ platform you can get the cables and some install parts, on the older MINIs like the R53 and R56, you could not get those.

If you get the window out or back on track, i would inspect those parts or replace them as its most likly something in the cable to that track that comes with it go damaged.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...epair-p-n.html