I recently purchased a 04 4Runner limited, 6cyl 2WD. Yeah, I know... 2WD. I feel ok without the 4WD because where I live, snow will not be an issue. I don't go wheeling, and when I need to tow things I will use my Sequoia. Just needed a reliable everyday driver and came across this one. 80K for milage which I consider low for a Toyota, in great condition, and I was able to get it for 14K, so I went for it.
Only issue so far is the sunroof. Bad clicking noise when I opened it, sounded like plastic gears grinding. I searched this site and found this to be a fairly common problem with the 04-07 models. I even found and printed the TSB just in case. After using it a couple of times, it of course got stuck open. Took it to local Toyota dealer. They got it closed and said I "should" be good to go. They told me to open/shut it at least 10X a week to keep it lubed up, but they couldn't guarantee it wouldn't happen again. First time I opened it, clicking noise was there. I shut it and haven't opened it again since. Quite a few people on here have said just leave it shut, but I WANT a working sunroof. (Former Jeep Wrangler owner who LOVES open air!)
My question is two fold. 1.How successful is performing the TSB is regards to fixing this problem long term? I can perform it myself and will spend the money on the kit just to get the new plastic clips. Seems like a much better option than spending the $2000 to replace the tracks & cables, if it will fix the problem. 2. If I don't perform the TSB and don't get the whole thing replaced, can I still feel safe using the tilt open? Or could it get stuck in the up position just as it got stuck open? A little open air feeling would be better than none I guess.
One other unrelated question... the last couple of times I have started the car, I've heard an noise that sounds like a small motor running. Noise starts immediately after I start the car and last maybe 30 seconds than stops. It sounds like what you would hear if it was trying to raise an antenna, but these don't seem to have exterior antennas for the radio. Any idea what this might be?
Thanks for any and all advice. Sorry only 1 pic, but the rest I have are apparently to big to upload. Will add more soon. Thanks.
Only issue so far is the sunroof. Bad clicking noise when I opened it, sounded like plastic gears grinding. I searched this site and found this to be a fairly common problem with the 04-07 models. I even found and printed the TSB just in case. After using it a couple of times, it of course got stuck open. Took it to local Toyota dealer. They got it closed and said I "should" be good to go. They told me to open/shut it at least 10X a week to keep it lubed up, but they couldn't guarantee it wouldn't happen again. First time I opened it, clicking noise was there. I shut it and haven't opened it again since. Quite a few people on here have said just leave it shut, but I WANT a working sunroof. (Former Jeep Wrangler owner who LOVES open air!)
My question is two fold. 1.How successful is performing the TSB is regards to fixing this problem long term? I can perform it myself and will spend the money on the kit just to get the new plastic clips. Seems like a much better option than spending the $2000 to replace the tracks & cables, if it will fix the problem. 2. If I don't perform the TSB and don't get the whole thing replaced, can I still feel safe using the tilt open? Or could it get stuck in the up position just as it got stuck open? A little open air feeling would be better than none I guess.
One other unrelated question... the last couple of times I have started the car, I've heard an noise that sounds like a small motor running. Noise starts immediately after I start the car and last maybe 30 seconds than stops. It sounds like what you would hear if it was trying to raise an antenna, but these don't seem to have exterior antennas for the radio. Any idea what this might be?
Thanks for any and all advice. Sorry only 1 pic, but the rest I have are apparently to big to upload. Will add more soon. Thanks.
