Sunroof Question

[Buffman]

I've only attempted to play with the sunroof/moonroof/etc on the car a couple of times, but I have a question. How far is it supposed to open? Does it fully retract into the roof, or does it just pop open a little bit??

[Aerotech]

It does both... pops up the rear of the glass to vent, or hit the open switch and it will slide back into the roof completely.

[94SS_Canada]

Ya, its sweet

[kimokalihi]

Mine doesn't work I hooked up a battery to the car to test the seatbelts and sunroof and you can hear it trying to open but nothing happens. I assumed it was stuck shut since it hasn't been driven in possibly as long as a couple years?

Do I give it a push with my hand? What should I do to get it unstuck because it sounds like the motor is trying to retract it but it doesn't budge.

[Buffman]

that seems to be the case with mine. It will pop open if i push on it, but when it tries to retract it doesn't want to.

[Aerotech]

You can "exercise" the system by using the manual drive...

Use the Allen key crank in your center armrest lid, the access is above the rear seat in the middle, a round plug. I think it's a 5mm Allen.
If it's really tough to turn, your sunroof mechanism needs a good lube job, and the motor won't be able to move it.

If it turns easily, you're looking at electrical issues, usally balky relays in the control module (next to the motor)

You might try an Allen driver in a cordless drill or speed handle, to work the unit back and forth through the whole range of motion a few times, it might loosen up, and the drill will save your hands.

To really lube the system properly, you need to drop the whole tray, and it's a major pain in the ass; remove all the window trim, drop the headliner, remove the glass, drop the sunroof tray. Then you can see and access all the track and the exposed lengths of drive tube gearing.
If you do this, while you're up there, blow out the drain tubes thoroughly w/ compressed air...this is the major cause of sunroof "leaks", the clogged hoses back up with water and dump it in your lap. The glass is designed to let some water in, the tray and drain tube contain and get rid of it.
The other cause of dripping water is the sealant on the tracks falling apart where they lie on the tray, if that looks crumbly, scrape out the old stuff and re-seal with good roofing or gutter caulk. Do not use Silicone, it will corrode the metal.

[kimokalihi]

Good to know thanks!