Rattling noise in moonroof

[4x4 V6]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone else noticed a rattling noise while opening the sunroof? Aside from the normal motor sounds that I expect, I also hear a rattling sound twice during the travel of the sunroof when it is opening. I do not hear any rattling when closing the sunroof.

I am suspecting it is coming from the 2 side black covers (L-shape I think) that slide back with the sunroof. These are loose but I'm not sure if this is by design. I am also noticing a suttle rattle occasionally in the sunroof (closed positioned) when the road is bumpy.

I owned a '01 Sequoia Limited and that sunroof was smooth and quiet.

Thanks,
Gene

 

[Good Times]

Hey Gene:

Welcome aboard! I have never had this problem. Could it be because the sun shade is closed?

Other than that, if something feels loose, take it back to toyota and have them check it out. Taking it in, won't hurt much as they'll just take a quick inspection.

If they find something, i'm sure they'll do it for ya as it's still under warranty!

Good Luck

Lance

 

[jharris2]

Gene -

I'm in agreement with Good Times -- I've not heard any noises. The only noise I've experienced is a whistling noise from the built-in wind deflector at around 50 mph; to remedy that I have purchased the external wind deflector.

If something seems loose, take it in for warranty service.

 

[4x4 V6]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I'll definitely get this checked out this week. Sounds like I need a little tweaking of my sunroof.

-Gene

 

[pbm317]

Well

I know the wind deflector is variable.. so it goes up halfway as it opens. Then when it's closer to fully open, the wind deflector goes up all the way. Could this be the sound you're hearing??

 

[jharris2]

PBM317 -

On our 4Runner, the integrated wind deflector whistles -- a really obvious noise, not a rattling noise. Gene's description makes it sound like something in the track is loose, although the integrated wind deflector could be loose.

By the way, the whistling was bad enough that I installed the sunroof wind deflector last night. The one on our Camry works really well, and expect this one to be the same.

 

[4x4 V6]

Re: Well

I know the wind deflector is variable.. so it goes up halfway as it opens. Then when it's closer to fully open, the wind deflector goes up all the way. Could this be the sound you're hearing??

pbm317,

yeah you're right about the operation of the variable opening and the wind deflector. this cool feature opens the sunroof FULLY and the wind deflector angles all the way up when traveling below 45 mph. when you go above 45 to 50 mph it automatically moves the sunroof to about 3/4 opening and brings down the deflector. pretty neat design by toyota. it actually helps eliminate some wind noise and the internal warping sound. this function of my sunroof actually works fine.

but, as jharris mentioned i definitely have something loose in the tracks on both sides. my rattling can only be heard when I initially open the sunroof. thanks for your input though.

-gene

 

[jharris2]

Gene -

I just looked at mine, and the black trim on the side of the sunroon tracks is a little loose -- it has some play at the top and bottom. But it doesn't appear to be loose enough to rattle. Check yours for excessive movement. If it's not excessive, you may have some other problem.

What's strange is you say you hear it twice when the sunroof is opening -- that seems to indicate some bad spots in the track itself. Maybe it has a dry spot on it -- mine has a white grease slathered everywhere.

You're right about the integrated wind deflector -- it's a neat design, but I found it too noisy at highway speeds, so that's why I put in the external wind deflector. Not as elegant but quieter. Was a lot cheaper to get from parts than it was to order it originally!!

 

[4x4 V6]

Hi John,

Yes there is some play in the black trim on mine. To me it seems a little more than normal. But you could be right that there might be something else wrong with it, especially since it occurs twice when the sunroof is opening. Mine has that white grease (not a whole lot though).

I haven't been able to bring it in to the dealer these past few days. I've been Zaino'ing my Black Beauty. Hopefully by Thursday I will have this sunroof rattle resolved.

To me the external wind deflector is a very nice look. I'm sure it looks awesome on yours! I installed one on my 2001 Sequoia and on my wife's 2003 Acura TL-S. I'll probably get one for my 2003 4Runner. Does your sunroof still adjust automatically based on your speed eventhough you have that external wind deflector? I'm not sure how the sunroof senses this (wind deflection on the internal deflector maybe?). Regardless, I'll probably still get the external one - I would rather have it quieter at highway speeds as you mentioned.

Thanks,
Gene

 

[jharris2]

Hasn't been warm enough to test the sunroof with the external wind deflector. I'm expecting that it will defeat the sensors and the sunroof will behave as if it is under 45mph.

 

[jharris2]

Got a chance to test the external deflector yesterday...mid 50's and sunny

As expected, the external wind deflector seems to defeat the sensors in the integrated deflector.

Only interesting side effect is that when running 25-35 mph, the wind noise is worse than before, but above and below those speeds it is far better.

Go figure.

 

[Good Times]

no deflector here but my yak megawarrior on top makes lot of noise so the integrated deflector is useless for me!

o well... atleast i can load alot of crap on top time for the 285's to be up there... in time!!!

lance

 

[jharris2]

Gene -

Any progress with the sunroof?

 

[4x4 V6]

Gene -

Any progress with the sunroof?

Sorry for the delay in replying. I've been out of town and just got back this morning.

Yes, the dealer definitely noticed a problem. They said the black trim was causing the rattling. They installed some foam tape. The rattling is no evident, but I am not 100% satisfied with the fix. To me it seems the foam tape is more of a work around than a solid repair.

I'm not so sure where they added the foam tape. I did notice some grey foam tape along each side of the sunroof but it has no contact with the black trim.

Features of the sunroof question:
Can anyone verify for me that their sunroof also moves automatically with the angle of the wind deflector based on the vehicle speed? I thought (maybe just my imagination and ears going bad) when I drove over 45 to 50 mph the wind deflector folded down slightly AND the sunroof slid slightly to the closed position (about 1/4 the way from fully open). And when I slowed down under 45 mph, the wind deflector raised up completely and the sunroof opened fully. Right now all that happens is the wind deflector moves automatically (up/down) and the sunroof doesn't move at all. I just want to be sure the dealer didn't screw up any features in my sunroof.

Thanks a lot for your help everyone.

-Gene

 

[jharris2]

Features of the sunroof question:
Can anyone verify for me that their sunroof also moves automatically with the angle of the wind deflector based on the vehicle speed? I thought (maybe just my imagination and ears going bad) when I drove over 45 to 50 mph the wind deflector folded down slightly AND the sunroof slid slightly to the closed position (about 1/4 the way from fully open). And when I slowed down under 45 mph, the wind deflector raised up completely and the sunroof opened fully. Right now all that happens is the wind deflector moves automatically (up/down) and the sunroof doesn't move at all. I just want to be sure the dealer didn't screw up any features in my sunroof.

I'll give it a try on my way to the airport this afternoon. I usually have the sunroof completely open or closed, so I have not noticed whether it moves based on vehicle speed. The deflector does, though -- even with the external wind deflector.

 

[jharris2]

I'll give it a try on my way to the airport this afternoon. I usually have the sunroof completely open or closed, so I have not noticed whether it moves based on vehicle speed. The deflector does, though -- even with the external wind deflector.

OK, I put the sunroof about halfway open, then drove down the parkway at 45 mph (that's the speed limit there). Didn't budge. Then hit the freeway at 70 mph. The integrated wind deflector dropped down (you can hear it move) but the sunroof stayed in place.

Unfortunately, I never tested it before I put the external wind deflector on.

 

[4x4 V6]

John,

Thanks very much for checking this out. It is very good information. I guess from this I can see that my moonroof is behaving normally. The sunroof does in fact remain in the same position regardless of the speed.

It is interesting that your external windflector did not affect the automatic adjusment of the angle of the built-in deflector based on the vehicle's speed. My first thought would be that the external deflector would have blocked a wind sensor. I guess there is an actual speed sensor somewhere that changes the angle of the built-in deflector.

Thanks again!
Gene

 

[jharris2]

I guess there is an actual speed sensor somewhere that changes the angle of the built-in deflector.

That's the conclusion I came to.

 

[Sad4RunnerOwner]

Once it starts to rattle, forget it!

On your rattle, forget it. Mine started to make this weird grinding noise when I tried to open it. I brought it to Toyota, and the"Fixed" it. Then it stuck open. Had to order entire new system for the roof. That took over a month to arrive. It still makes the grinding noise. But worse when the truck is cold.

 

[Sad4RunnerOwner]

Watch the rattle . . .

Hi!

My roof started doing the same thing.It then stuck insied the roof and would not come out. They (Toyota) did a "Fix" to mine. THen they had to replace the entire roof assembly. Check on the TSB's for a fix.

Good luck!

Craig-