Rattling noise on ceiling

Do you hear the rattling ONLY when the sunroof is closed? I've been having a small rattling and want to make sure that the sunroof is where it originates from.

It doesn't sound like it's coming from the sunroof tho. It's more like coming from the driver's door/dash. Hope it's the sunroof so I can fix it myself with the recommended method......

Thanks for the nice pics and explanation!
 
Ah ... the dreaded sunroof noise problem. I knew it well.

I took delivery of my '03 Limited V8 around July 4th weekend from Lawrence Toyota in Lawrenceville, NJ. Almost immediately, the sunroof treated me to a constant chattering noise - I'd compare it to the sound a telegraph machine makes.

Anyway, after about four trips to the delear and two attempts to utilize a supposed fix put out by Toyota, they called in the district service/factory representative to deal with this problem on my 4Runner and another customer's. I was told that this chatter problem is known to Toyota and is the result of a poorly designed sunroof.

However, there is good news. After a day with the representative, the noise disappeared permanently.
 
Ok, I'll bite. What did the representative do?

I have this problem and will try the easy fix from above before I let anyone rip my roof and stuff apart, but if there is an easy Toyota fix I'd try that first.
 
Took mine to dealer yesterday for service and had them fix it. Apparently there is a TSB out for it. They put 5" plastic tubes around the links in the picture and some more grease. Seems to have fixed it.

So it seems Toyota finally listened and followed the fix.
 
Great post WhiteSR5,

I put up with the rattling as long as I could but yesterday it got to me. I was up at Home Depot and found a nylon washer that has the same diameters but is not as thick as the one recommended and these are white not black. I bought 6 just in case. They were something like 3 cents each. Brought them home, and trimmed them so they would fit snuggly when attahced to the rod. Using the step ladder I clipped one washer on each side as per the instructions.

This was the easiest fix I have ever done. My 4R now rides quiet now with no rattles.

Just for info I got the nylon washers in the hardware section of Home Depot and the bin number was 418607. I think the bins numbers are the same at all Home Depots??

-TM-
 
I finally had my '03 4Runner at the dealership this week for it's yearly inspection. While there, I had them fix the sunroof rattle.

They fixed it on the first try!

Woohoooo!!

That rattle was driving me bonkers! So glad to have it gone!

Now if only they can eventually fix the seat!!!
 
Sun roof rattle

Hi all,

I started to hear the rattle on my 03 sport last summer. Stupid me for not brining it in while still under warranty. As it turns out, the problem is that the cables and tracks are worn (after 2 years???). Extended warranty doesn't cover it. Total damage to fix you ask?? $2,431.00. Toyota will be hearing Bout this one.
 
just started having a rattle on the passenger side for 1 month. i'm glad i stumbled on this fix. did it with clear plastic tubing (bendable) with 3/16 " internal diameter from lowe's. halved a small piece and placed it on it and rattle is gone!

thanks!
 
Now I have another rattle!!! This one is coming from the middle of the very front part. Anyone with a history of this rattle?
Thanks!
 
by the way, i removed anything that was in the sunglass holder, and it continued. only happens with the roof closed.
 
what was wrong with it? also my dealer recently told me that 'rattles' are warrantied for the first 20,000 miles. Is that correct? I thought it fell under the 3 yr 36 K. They said that if there was a defect that it would be covered by the warranty, but if something simply needed to be tightened down that they would charge me a fee to look and to fix it. Is this true?!
 
The sunroof had a constant rattle eminating from the overhead light assembly and along the channels. The dealer replaced the two black plastic snapin pieces and installed felt behind and around the light and it looks like they installed two bright aluminum rails on the inside of the channel.

I had it in for the plastic pieces, which were ordered, and when I got my rig back they said there was another TSB being offered and they performed that one for me also.

I involved the service manager when it wasn't fixed the first two times. The first time they didn't even look at it. Amazing how involving the service manager and giving them a black eye on the Toyota survey made them look a little harder at my problem.

I've been mentioning this problem starting at the 10K mile mark, if they tried to charge me somebody would have been missing a few front teeth.

Ahem, when I got my rig back from the porter there was black grease smeared all over the grey door sill. :mad:
 
Jim_Chow said:
Is there any way to get the 4Runner w/o a moonroof? Which version?
Click to expand...

I WAS going to get a sport 2wd V8 with no sunroof, but didnt like the fact my dad had one on his sr5 and i didnt, also in southern california its manditory in my opinion
 
Herman, I have a rattle coming from the same area you mentioned - on top on the ceiling but the sunglass holder. Sounds like it is coming from behind the sunglass holder and the two lights up there.

Mine rattles with sun roof open or shut. Any ideas?

How hard is it to take out that sunglass holder/light assembly so I can look underneath there?

Thanks. - yes, there is nothing in the sunglass holder.
 
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