One touch sunroof buttons

[epj3]

Anybody have any links for a do it yourself to convert your sunroof buttons to "One Touch" so you can just push the back button, and the sunroof goes back, then hit the forward button and it goes back without holding the button? I was popping up the sunroof after work the one day (i was bored and wanted to listen to my exhaust :-)) and my manager pulled up beside me and said "were you just flicking me off??"

I dont really care if people think i'm flicking them off, but I think it would be pretty cool for it go to back the entire way by itself.

[Mad Mike]

I wouldnt do it. What would the vantage point be? Spend your money on maintenance or other more reasonable upgrades.

[epj3]

If i could do it cheap, i would do it, but from looking at Bavauto, I don't think it will be cheap.

[Mad Mike]

It wont be cheap. You would have to change the motor on the slide mechanism altogether. Forget it.

[epj3]

Originally posted by Mad Mike
It wont be cheap. You would have to change the motor on the slide mechanism altogether. Forget it.
Yea i read that you had to replace a controller box and the motor on unofficialbmw.com, so it's definitely not worth it, new motor is like $200, and the controller is like $100 - 150. I need a new exhaust and suspension before i do stuff like that.

[Mad Mike]

Next.

[andreyiv]

I don't come here very often and I won't mind if I don't get respect but I thought I'd share my idea. Now, I don't explain things too good so bare with me. The sunroff stops when it gets all the way back even if you continue pressing the button, right, now lets say you make something press the button for you. You can get these time delays that will continue to close the circuit for whatever (with limitations of course) time you want after it was initially closed. Now lets say it takes the sunroof about 5 seconds (of the top of my head) to close. Now if we take the delay and make it keep the circuit closed for five seconds, then when you press the button once and close the circuit, the delay will keep it closed for another five seconds and thus giving more than enough time to open completely. Get what I mean? The only problem I see is hiding the time delay somewhere. This is a very primitive way to make it work but if you can solder and understand a few things about all that stuff, it can be done for a pretty small price. Tell me honostly what you think, I appreciate any input.

[epj3]

Originally posted by andreyiv
I don't come here very often and I won't mind if I don't get respect but I thought I'd share my idea. Now, I don't explain things too good so bare with me. The sunroff stops when it gets all the way back even if you continue pressing the button, right, now lets say you make something press the button for you. You can get these time delays that will continue to close the circuit for whatever (with limitations of course) time you want after it was initially closed. Now lets say it takes the sunroof about 5 seconds (of the top of my head) to close. Now if we take the delay and make it keep the circuit closed for five seconds, then when you press the button once and close the circuit, the delay will keep it closed for another five seconds and thus giving more than enough time to open completely. Get what I mean? The only problem I see is hiding the time delay somewhere. This is a very primitive way to make it work but if you can solder and understand a few things about all that stuff, it can be done for a pretty small price. Tell me honostly what you think, I appreciate any input.

Hey come around more often.

That's not a bad idea. If i can acquire a control unit from a junkyard car, i'll try it on that and see if it works.

[andreyiv]

You don't need a control unit from a junk car all you need is a delay that operates on 12 volts that's all. Maybe even radio shack has it or maybe 12 volts will be hard to find, I don't reallt know. The key hear is to find the simpiest one that will do the job since the complicated ones cost more and are more bulky. The delay or whatever they actually call it will probably need a steady supply of power which you can get from the wires before the switch. One bad thing about this is that you will not be able to open the sun roof half way or something like that unless you use the delay for closing or opening only. To fix that you can add an additional button that you will have to press to make the delay work but then it becomes way too complicated. I guess it's much easier to just replace the control unit, hehe. I'll get back to you if I have better ideas on this.

[VANCE]

HERE IS THE LINKONE TOUCH (http://member.rivernet.com.au/btaylor/BMWText/technical/SunroofOneTouch.html)

[Bear6360]

Be careful you don't void your warranty. [hammer]

[epj3]

Originally posted by VANCE
HERE IS THE LINKONE TOUCH (http://member.rivernet.com.au/btaylor/BMWText/technical/SunroofOneTouch.html)
The part i dont like is

"Connect new motor using new harness."

A new motor is $200 [!!] <:-(

Bear - Yea i dont want to void my 16 year warranty that ends this year [rofl]

[Mad Mike]

Like I said before, it can be done (anything can be done) but if it isnt standard for the car you "go against the grain" so to speak and have to change the set up and more and it wouldn't be cheap. Spend the money on something more practical. So you have to hold the button for 5 seconds.............so what?

[fran]

Originally posted by Mad Mike
Next.

Haha, Mike's the best.

[Mad Mike]

Fran darling, my lover from down south. How are you?

[andreyiv]

Actually I just drew a diagram for the thing I explained earlier and all you need for it to work is:
1) 2 LEDs - they actually do something besides lighting up
2) 2 transistors
3) 1 capasitor
4) 1 variable resistor - this will control the time
5) 1 button - with this button you can control if it closes/opens all the way or not.
The things I listed should not be too expensive (probably $30 at most for everything. Most probably less that $15) but probably hard to find. But I agree with you Mike, it's not worth it to go through all the trouble and possibly mess something up. I'm not even sure if it will even work right or at all.

[Mad Mike]

You get an A+ for creativity for sure. [Thumbs U]

[andreyiv]

Hehe, thanks. I even drew a diagram today when I had absolutely nothing to do. Talk about a boring day.

[epj3]

yea today was boring beyond belief. Besides getting back into my car, it was probably one of the most boring days of my life.

[fran]

Originally posted by Mad Mike
Fran darling, my lover from down south. How are you?

Not too bad. Just up to the usual... work, school and men. How've you been?

[VANCE]

eric,
here is something i came across...dont think it will work for you but it would be cool if it works and it is cheap enoughone touch (http://www.umnitza.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_38_60&products_id=71)

[Mad Mike]

Originally posted by fran
Not too bad. Just up to the usual... work, school and men. How've you been?


Fran,
I have been miserable without you. Time for another vacation? Let me know.