Sunroof on a 96 SC2

Hey guys (gals),

This is my first stop in here, I spend allot of time in the Miata newsgroup
so excuse me if this subject has been beaten like a dead horse.

My daughters SC2's sunroof has made a couple of nasty sounds in the past but
still worked ok. Yesterday, it made a real nasty snap / crackle / pop sound
(I didn't hear it myself) and then proceeded to stay open.

When I push the close button, things whir and the mechanism seems to move. I
know this because I can manually slide the panel forward a corresponding
amount each time I depress the button for a couple seconds. I can get it all
the way forward (still tipped up at the back) and then nothing.

I can use a screwdriver to push forward on a little piston looking deal on
each side and that releases the back edge which then drops down. Problem is
nothing is holding it down. Seems to me something has popped up / out of a
track but I haven't been able to determine what popped out of what.

Is there an answer or some guidance you can give me here or a website /
owners group that might be helpful?

Thanks for any help you can give me, I've done google searches and found
some info on motor replacement and electrical switch replacement but I don't
think they apply here, what do you think?

Chris

 

I can use a screwdriver to push forward on a little piston looking deal on

Mine does the same thing, but only on the left side. It opens fine, but only
the right hand side pulls when it closes. I have to "help" the left side
closed, then push on the arm with my finger to get it to drop. The right side
then locks down but the left side doesn't. Not a big deal but a little air can
be heard going by if I have the sliding shade open. Same thing happened when
mine went, made some bad noises.

If you find a fix other then replacing the whole assembly, let me know.