Dreded sunroof wont close

[bpowa]

Well I just got the truck.

Oit this morning on the way to work and heard the grinding sound after fully opened.

I tried closing it and it looks like the passanger side is not wanting to move. As if something is stuck.

Any ideas how to get it to close back?

As soon as the dust settles with me lifting it I will take the headliner off and inspect the whole system.

Anyone ripped the liner out before. How much time does it take and any tips not to bend or break any plastic clips?

So I just want to figure how to close it for now. :lie:

 

[Bossman]

This Moonroof Stuck technical service bulletin (TSB) may help.

 

[bpowa]

This Moonroof Stuck technical service bulletin (TSB) may help.

Yes, I searched and have a copy printed. Im still a bit confused about disconnecting the gear assembly on the motor. . It maybe its just off track.

I with there is more of a detailed view.

 

[nevada]

Yes, I searched and have a copy printed. Im still a bit confused about disconnecting the gear assembly on the motor. . It maybe its just off track.

I with there is more of a detailed view.

once you take it apart, get lots of detailed pics.

luckily mine was changed just before I picked up. hopefully it will be many years before I have to deal with this problem.

 

[SSt4r]

The headliner is a pain: you have to remove all the int. panels that meet it, which means removing all the panels below them. So pretty much ALL the interior panels starting with the sill plates. You MIGHT not have to pull the rear seat but I did. In the 2006 manual it's the "Interior" section, "roof headlining", with pictures starting on page "IR-2" & directions on page "IR-7".
The little star shaped holders for the cargo net in that back can be a little tricky: Gotta kinda grab the star itself by the edge & pull it out some to release it.

Any thoughts on soundproofing?? Now's the time!

 

[bpowa]

once you take it apart, get lots of detailed pics.

luckily mine was changed just before I picked up. hopefully it will be many years before I have to deal with this problem.

Well. I just performed the TSB mentioned above. Removed the deflector, plastic tracks and motor.

Motor works, plastic bull gear looks good. The screw lines look a bit worn.

I can perform the last part of the tsb which removing the sunroof and putting it back on track. In order to do that I would need the sunroof partially open so I can set the alignment notches. DUH! How can I do that if the sunroof wont close.

One side of the track is further than the other. Im not sure what is causing it to be stuck on one side. To find that out I would need to pull the liner and the whole assembly which I Would hate to do..

I have a receipt from the previous owner that this crap was replaced earlier this year.. Not by the dealer. Just half ass job that indy shops do all with a few broken clips. Its the reason why I hate other people repairing my vehicles.

Im prpbably not going to have time this week to pull the liner.. anyone have any tips on removing it without damage or a diagram? I would hate ro break or bend the liner.:sobbing:

 

[bpowa]

Update:

Well last night at 11:30. After taking a nap after work I had a thought. I know the alignment is off and that is whats causing it to get stuck. When you hear a grinding noise that usually means that the cable is grinding with the motor gear.

Im very sure that the sunroof is caused by a couple of things.
-hardened grease
-plastic bits on the sliding track brittle over time
-plastic cable gear/pully cable gets chewed up from the metal motor gear (yes metal vs plastic) who would have thought.
The tearing of the teeth on the cable is caused by auto open and close. I believe its pretty harsh on the plastic cables, causing it to get chewed on on the motor. If one side of the cable gets chewed up the other side keeps pulling. Causing the sunroof to miss align.

My thought was to get the cable to pull one side to open it up. So i unscrewed the motor and tilted it a bit so that it would only mack contact with one of the cables. Thus pulling the cable to realign.
That did the trick and now the sunroof closed. Thank goodness because it rained last night. I tapped a plastic bag prior to me closing it. Luckly I got it to close because the bag just ripped off when I drove to work.

This weekend when I get a chance I am going to preform the TSB cleaning and re grease the track and realigning it to spec. Also recheck the cables to make sure they are OK to use.

As mentioned on posts while I searched for info. I suggest everyone to preform this TSB as a preventive maintenance. The cable assembly is a ridiculous 5-600 bucks. cheapest online is close to 500 dollars. With all the damages out there you would think Toyota would sell it for 50 bucks. Its plastic cables!!!

Here is a helpful site.. Note.. the auto tilt to manually close!!

2005 4Runner Sunroof jamed open

 

[Cornelius]

Not only will the tilt button manually override the motor to close the roof, but it can be used to realign it as well. I had the same problem as you a few weeks ago and was able to successfully realign everything in about 5 minutes.

Sounds like you've already got it closed, albeit misaligned, so that's good. If I recall correctly, now all that's left is to push and hold the tilt-up button for an additional 15 seconds and it will realign the tracks. You'll hear a couple of clicks and maybe a groan as it aligns, but afterwards all should be functioning 100%. Mine hasn't acted up since...

I'll try to find/post the original thread where I found the answer.


EDIT: Now that I think about it, the whole open/close/align thing may have to be done all at once. When I did mine, I remember holding the switch to open the sunroof back up (scary, I know), then immediately holding the switch to close it, then pressing & holding again for 15 seconds to tilt/realign the tracks.

Anyway, give it a try and see if it works. May save you a bit of money and trouble for the time being.

 

[bpowa]

^^^ yes I hope this thread help others. I think there should be a sticky somewhere about the manual tilt button and TSB. Although the sunroof seems fine at the moment. I will complete the TSB and make sure the marks line up. Its too risky for me to spend time and money to get this replaced if it gets damaged.

My concern is if it keeps getting misaligned. All the cable gears/teeth will get chewed up and I would be out 600 bucks and a days worth of repair.

 

[Macintheus]

Reset sunroof/moonroof

I've got a 2013 SR5 and the sunroof got stuck in the tilted up position. When I pressed the close button it would close but reopen again. Weird. A quick search and I came across these instructions that fixed it for me in 2 minutes:

1. Push and hold the “tilt up or slide close” switch.
2. The moonroof will tilt up and down, then slide open and close.
3. Once the slide closed function is complete, release the switch.

I held the tilt up button and the roof cycled through tilt up, tilt down, slide back (fully open), slide closed -- and then I released the button. That did it.

 

[anteek]

Similar issue with mine. I was able to pull it as I slide it back in. I don't think I will open it again ...