Sunroof grinding after stuck open.

[nevada]

Today the sun popped out, so I decided to open up my sun roof and be happy. It went all the way back then made an ear wrenching sound as it got to the final stage. Trying to close it, one side would move, while the other was stationary. So I rushed home before the WA rain snuck its way in.

I read and read on the forum. Downloaded the TSB pdf for fixing these types of issues with the sunroof. Took everything apart, cleaned it, and greased it all. Super easy by the way. Put it back together and it closed. :thumb:

Well after opening it again to make sure my work was done I was greeted by the sound of the cog wheel grinding when it gets to its final position again. Then it wouldn't close again. So I held the tilt button for 15 sec and it started to close along with some grinding noise.

After holding it in the tilted up position and getting it to close properly where it should be sealed, it almost looks like its not quite sealed. The right side sits slightly lower than the other side. I poured water on it, and it didn't seem to soak through.

During the process I actually did break part of the left Guide Rail Holder. I'm thinking that this could maybe cause the problem of it not being level. As for it not moving like it should. Does the cog wheel on the motor have to be aligned just right? Is that where the grinding noise is coming from?

Was hoping someone with experience dealing with this could help me out. Thanks ahead of time everyone!

just wanted to address this point. if it leaks, it wont show at the headliner, there are drains built in, to direct the water elsewhere.

its my understanding that all sunroofs will leak to some extent, so they put trays with drains to direct the water to the exterior.

 

[shawnjohnson]

Just tried to hold it down and run it open/close.. Pretty sure it was about to burn the motor up so I quit. Looks like mine is an issue to stay.. Time to unplug the switch!

 

[CXS]

That's a bummer but glad you tried! I guess a few of us were just lucky.

 

[Atlanta_man]

$3 harbor freight suction cup with handle to stick to the movable glass - lets you assist the motor.

 

[nykoda]

just wanted to address this point. if it leaks, it wont show at the headliner, there are drains built in, to direct the water elsewhere.

its my understanding that all sunroofs will leak to some extent, so they put trays with drains to direct the water to the exterior.

Hmmm... Good to know! Any idea where it outputs the water? And if this was put into the older models as well? My buddy thinks his 3rd gen sun roof leaks down through the c-pillar.

 

[nevada]

Hmmm... Good to know! Any idea where it outputs the water? And if this was put into the older models as well? My buddy thinks his 3rd gen sun roof leaks down through the c-pillar.

im not 100% sure where they are all at.
there are a few threads on this site where their position is described. I remember reading about them, just don't remember the exact spots

 

[Tim Joss]

Sunroof mystery sliding guide rail piece

Hijacking an old post because I'm a new member and the forum isn't allowing me to start a new thread...

Anyway can someone help identify this sunroof sliding guide rail (red arrow in below pic)? Am I missing a cover or what? It's a freely sliding part in the guide rail.

Thanks in advance for your help! -Tim

'04 V6 SR5 4x4

 

[dannyg]

My sunroof recently got stuck open in the tilt position. It makes a loud clicking sound when attempting to close. The drivers side does close slightly but the passenger side doesn’t seem to want to budge.
I tried putting some downward pressure while someone else held the button, but no dice.
Anyone have their sunroof stuck in this particular scenario? If so, how did you resolve it or at least get it closed/sealed from ‘nature’?

afraid that even if I manage to force it closed, I will lose access to clean debris from the pesky drain holes, which leads to rain water spewing on me from the sunglasses holder/map light area. I live in FL where it rains every day in summer.

My mechanic said the toyota replacement runs over $2500 new plus $600 labor.

Any advice for me?

 

[eleven14]

My sunroof recently got stuck open in the tilt position. It makes a loud clicking sound when attempting to close. The drivers side does close slightly but the passenger side doesn’t seem to want to budge.
I tried putting some downward pressure while someone else held the button, but no dice.
Anyone have their sunroof stuck in this particular scenario? If so, how did you resolve it or at least get it closed/sealed from ‘nature’?

afraid that even if I manage to force it closed, I will lose access to clean debris from the pesky drain holes, which leads to rain water spewing on me from the sunglasses holder/map light area. I live in FL where it rains every day in summer.

My mechanic said the toyota replacement runs over $2500 new plus $600 labor.

Any advice for me?

Did you try reinitializing it by holding tilt up for 10-15 seconds?

 

[Jakeepoo3]

Mine does this often only because I cake my truck in clay on a regular basis. Sounds like a nasty grinding and has issues shutting completely. Just needs cleaned. Seems unlikely the mechanics of it would fail but I guess it happens.

 

[dqrules11]

Motor Wire

Hi there! I recently siliconed my sunroof shut and I want to disconnect the motor from the switch without loosing my map lights. Do you know which wire will cut power to the sunroof motor?

lol its sad that we have to come to the point of never using our sunroofs again. I am hoping to get to get the outcome of being able to use it again.

Here's some pictures to go along with my TSB process.



Pop out the Control Console:




Gear Assembly:




Next take un snap the Rail Guide Holders and slide them out:




Remove the Wind Gaurd:


Pry out the Control Wire and slide out the Black Holder:


Scrape and clean all the old grease off everything and get it all lubed up with some new.


Then put everything back together.