Disco 2: Change the front sunroof motor

Hi all,

This is post 1/2 as I have two problems to fix

New to me 04 Disco 2. Front sunroof doesn't open - PO (trustworthy guy) reckons it's the motor - I can hear the relay on the switches so sounds fair. What's the procedure to replace the motor - I've heard you can get it out without dropping the headlining, just not sure where to start...

thanks in advance.

ohowson said:

Hi all,

This is post 1/2 as I have two problems to fix

New to me 04 Disco 2. Front sunroof doesn't open - PO (trustworthy guy) reckons it's the motor - I can hear the relay on the switches so sounds fair. What's the procedure to replace the motor - I've heard you can get it out without dropping the headlining, just not sure where to start...

thanks in advance.

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I would defo drop the headliner, unless you are careful whilst working on the sunroof you will end up damagimg the liner.
Not hard to remove, just lots of screws, plus you need somehwere clean to stand/lay it.

Also gives you a chance to check the drain fittings and pipes are clear.

*looks around* lots of screws - is that the understatement of the year? *sigh* ok - so next question - has anyone written a handy guide for dropping the head liner?

You can access the sunroof motor via without fully removing the headline it can be seen after removing the headliner trim below the glasses the motor is at the front held by three screws IIRC.

discool said:

You can access the sunroof motor via without fully removing the headline it can be seen after removing the headliner trim below the glasses the motor is at the front held by three screws IIRC.

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Does the trim just pull out?

ohowson said:

Does the trim just pull out?

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Yes its just a edging trim thats colour coded to the liners colour, I had to removed one of my sunroofs motor a long while ago 18 years maybe, to remove the three screws was fiddling i had to use a cranked pozzi driver so to at least 10 minutes of a 15 mim job, 30 mins in total with replacing. Dropping the half headliner would have taking all afternoon.
I don’t use the sunroofs, but now open them once a year to clean the seal and check if any lubricant was needed, but this time the motor didn’t turn, a splash of WD sorted and back in it went.

U can may just see the motor when the glass is opened to give it a splash from there plus a dab of grease on the track if necessary, you can of course open/close manually with a hex key, that enters the centre of the large drive wheel but it seems to take for ever.... could use a battery drill... maybe.

ohowson said:

*looks around* lots of screws - is that the understatement of the year? *sigh* ok - so next question - has anyone written a handy guide for dropping the head liner?

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Mine had twin roofs and rear a/c, hardest bit is keeping the thing clean.
See if I can find some pics.

Random pics

It can be done without removing the headlining, I had exactly the same problem some years ago when I got the car, and Paul from discovery2parts and I changed it in about 10 mins.....He also will have good used motors if you want...

lynall said:

Random pics
View attachment 233556 View attachment 233557 View attachment 233558 View attachment 233559

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lynall said:

Random pics
View attachment 233556 View attachment 233557 View attachment 233558 View attachment 233559

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Hi, my D2 also has the rear air con & when I removed the head lining (to reseal/re-new the sunroofs/roof bar gaskets) the sponge around those vents in the headlining just disintegrated, did you have this problem if so what did you use to replace it ? I was thinking of cutting up some car washing sponges but any tips would be helpful. Many thanks.

Andy Warren said:

Hi, my D2 also has the rear air con & when I removed the head lining (to reseal/re-new the sunroofs/roof bar gaskets) the sponge around those vents in the headlining just disintegrated, did you have this problem if so what did you use to replace it ? I was thinking of cutting up some car washing sponges but any tips would be helpful. Many thanks.

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No sorry they were fine when I did mine, I think I had the roof down to fix the sunroof drains where they come detached on the corners.
Just checked pic date 2008.

Is yours a dark blue 2001 model by any chance?

lynall said:

No sorry they were fine when I did mine, I think I had the roof down to fix the sunroof drains where they come detached on the corners.
Just checked pic date 2008.

Is yours a dark blue 2001 model by any chance?

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Blimey seems like a like a life time ago. Yes mine is Oslo blue. I suppose as it's over 20 yrs. old I'm not surprised the spongy stuff has perished.
I'll just have to whittle some up out of those car washing songs I mentioned

Andy Warren said:

Blimey seems like a like a life time ago. Yes mine is Oslo blue. I suppose as it's over 20 yrs. old I'm not surprised the spongy stuff has perished.
I'll just have to whittle some up out of those car washing songs I mentioned

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Mine was the dark blue, I asked as I only recently checked all my old cars for current mot status and the D2 was pretty much the only one still running.