Roof Opening Panel: General

Courtesy of JAGUAR CARS, INC.

The sunroof is electrically operated through a two-way rocker switch located on the roof mounted center console. An electric motor, attached to the sunroof frame, drives the glass sunroof panel to the tilt or open positions. The glass panel is operated by two cables, which are driven by the motor.

The sunroof frame is bolted to eleven mounting points on the roof panel. The frame is a large injection molding and supports all of the sunroof components. Two aluminum guides held in the frame, on each side. The sunroof motor attaches to the rear of this frame. The motor is supported on the frame with three screws.

The sunroof glass panel is attached to the guide at the extreme front and rear. The tilt and slide positions are achieved by driving the attachment points on the panel over two fixed curves, one in the guide and one fixed to the panel.

Sunroof Motor

Courtesy of JAGUAR CARS, INC.

The sunroof motor has a worm drive, which drives a gear in a cast housing attached to the end of the motor. The gear has a small pinion gear attached to the outer part of its spindle. The pinion engages with the helixed cables to form a rack and pinion drive. Rotation of the motor turns the pinion, which in turn drives the cables in the required direction.

Sunroof Motor Pin Out Information 

The two cables are attached either side of the pinion. One end of each cable is attached to the guide. The opposite end is trapped in its position on the pinion by a metal insert in the frame. The cables run in channels in the frame to the guides. As the sunroof panel is closed, the cables are pushed through channels in the rear of the frame. The displaced cable is guided into a further two channels in the frame, which protect the cable and prevent the cable snagging creating noise. The cables are made from rigid spring steel and therefore can pull as well as push the sunroof along the guides.

A sun blind is also located in the guides integrated into the frame. The sunblind is operated manually, independently of the glass panels position. To move to the closed position the sunblind handle is pushed forward until it latches into the frame. To move the sunblind to the open position the sunblind handle is pushed up, to unlatch and either released or retracted to the open position. The sunblind can only be in either the fully open or fully closed positions.

Drain hoses are connected to the front and rear corners of the frame. The drain hoses are located inside of the cabin on the 'A' and 'C' post pillars to allow water, which has collected in the frame to escape. A one-way valve is fitted to the end of each drain hose to prevent the ingress of dirt and moisture.