screwy sunroof

[AFdefender]

Every once in a while the sunroof in my car dosnt go all the way back like it should. When i hit the button it pops up then when I hit the button again (sometimes) it only goes back about 3 inches and stops. What the heck is goin on?? The motor dosnt make any noises like its still trying to pull it back so i dont think its getting stuck. Im thinking its a short in the wires. Any thoughts and if its the wires where would i look for them and how would i get to them?

Thanks in advance!

[AleroME]

heehehe i got stripped headliner pics(i'm in the middle of re-doin the interior).. so I can show ya where the wires are. ... if you look the hanging wire where the rearview mirror is where the sunroof switch/button is also the motor is directly above it. .... if you look to the left by the gauge pod is the sunroof motor power wire.

Yeah, I have the same problem. Every now and then the darn thing just doesn't go back all the way. I have no idea why either. If someone knows, please reply! It's driving me nuts!!

[red rocket]

When it is stuck, do you have to close the roof and then reopen it again to get it to work all the way? Or when it is stuck half open and you hit the button again, does it then open all the way up?

[red rocket]

What is the technical difference between a sunroof and a moonroof? Or is there none?

When I attempt to hit the switch to open the moonroof after it stopped a quarter of the way through the opening process, the switch does nothing. It only allows me to close it. The moonroof must be closed almost all the way for it to allow me to reopen it.

I have been saying sunroof before since that was what the original post contained, but it is actually a moonroof. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe in a moonroof the glass actually retracts back leaving an opening in the roof whereas a sunroof is permantly hinged allowing it to only be "popped up" in the back.

Plus it is not totatally opening all the way more and more frequently. Granted it is about 20 degrees outside now and I'm not opening it really much at all other than to test it, but I would really like to get it fixed before the warm weather arrives!

I also noticed after the car is turned on and the moonroof is working incorrectly, it won't work correctly until the car is turned off then back on again. However even after restarting the car the moonroof doesn't always work. But I never got it to retract all the way back after it was malfunctioning and the ingition was on.

Hope this clarifies some things and doesn't lead to mass confusion!!

[Vintalage]

no no no. That is not what a moonroof and sunroof means. Why do people think that? A moonroof means that it has a glass you can see through and let light through without having to open it. It also has a sunshade. A sunroof does not have a glass, but instead, has a metal panel. To let light in, you have to open it. Sunroofs aren't too common now. Most people prefer a moonroof as do I. I like to let some light from the moonroof in the car in the winter time or hot summer days without having to open it. Jaguar's top of the line car has a sunroof. So did the Mercury Cougar.

[ArcticGT]

Originally posted by red rocket
What is the technical difference between a sunroof and a moonroof? Or is there none?

Click below
Sunroof or Moonroof?

[Vintalage]

Originally posted by ArcticGT
Click below
Sunroof or Moonroof?

your info is not correct. I will find the information that they have on the web and post it. People keep thinking that a sunroof goes over the roof and a moonroof retracts into the roof. That's wrong. The grand am has a moonroof even though it goes over the roof. It has a glass that lets light in when not retracted. Not a big deal, but it should be cleared up.

[ArcticGT]

Originally posted by Vintalage
your info is not correct. I will find the information that they have on the web and post it. People keep thinking that a sunroof goes over the roof and a moonroof retracts into the roof. That's wrong. The grand am has a moonroof even though it goes over the roof.

Then I guess the company that makes them and Pontiac are wrong. NOT everything on the web is correct!

Check the sticker tag that came with your car!
I believe it will say Sunroof, Power Glass. But that can't be right

[Vintalage]

This is what I found from sunroof.net:

What is the difference between a sunroof and a moonroof?

Sunroof is the generic term used to describe an operable panel in a vehicle roof which can let in light and/or air. Moonroof is a term created by Ford in the 70's, yet is now used generically to describe glass panel inbuilt electric sunroofs.

Another I found on the internet said:

"Usually a sunroof is steel and painted the color of the car. You can open it, but you cannot see through it. A moonroof on the other hand , is glass and usually includes a sliding shade to block out the sun ( and it's heat), hence the term moonroof."


Back on topic, maybe the sunroof glass is getting stuck while opening. Do you notice the glass moving slowly?

Ok, thanks for the clarification on the whole sunroof vs. moonroof issue, but does anyone know of a fix for the problem of the sunroof/moonroof not retracting properly?

Thanks!!

[Vintalage]

Originally posted by jobjohnny
Ok, thanks for the clarification on the whole sunroof vs. moonroof issue, but does anyone know of a fix for the problem of the sunroof/moonroof not retracting properly?

Thanks!!

Ok, try opening it fully and the cleaning out all the mess that may have got into the grooves that the sunroof slides on. See if that does any good.

Nope, the sunroof goes back at normal speed before getting stuck about 1/4 of the way back. Its strange since I dont hear the motor keep on trying to work. It almost is like the car thinks the roof is back all the way.

[Vintalage]

well, then it sounds like it is an electronic problem and would have to be serviced by your dealer. Is it still under warranty?

[Vintalage]

Originally posted by ArcticGT
Then I guess the company that makes them and Pontiac are wrong. NOT everything on the web is correct!

Check the sticker tag that came with your car!
I believe it will say Sunroof, Power Glass. But that can't be right

That can be right. You can say Power glass sunroof because the sunroof has a glass. But it does not mean it goes over the roof. That term is used for sunroofs that go over the roof and retract into the roof.

[ArcticGT]

Originally posted by jobjohnny
but does anyone know of a fix for the problem of the sunroof/moonroof not retracting properly?

Is the channel greased or has it dried up? You might be having a lubricating problem such that there is friction between the channel and glass housing. But I would suspect its more of an electrical problem. Is the car unwarrenty? If so just take it to the dealer.

But then again I only worked as an engineer at the stamping and welding plant for these things

Allright, thanks vintalage. I'll try a little spring cleaning, but I do remember checking it out before and it looked pretty clean. Maybe I overlooked something.

Unfortunately the warranty has expired. I have about 59,000 miles on it already and, like an idiot, I didn't take the extended warranty! I guess will just suck it up and have the dealer look at it. Could turn messy though....

Oh yeah, the channel is greased, but a little extra wouldn't hurt! I'll give that a try too!!

[Weem]

AFdefender, if you're still wondering about your problematic sunroof, here's my experience. Mine had a similar problem and I was fortunate enough to have it repaired under warranty. The motor and control module were both replaced and I haven't had a bit of problem since.