Sunroof Stuck open

[reddpilotjon]

Greetings all,

I have a stuck sunroof in the open position. 2004 4Runner Limited. I love the little Gilded Monster and I will be the last owner!

I am assuming that the cables are broken as the left side will not move and the right side wants to move. I'm interested in a cheaper-than-dealership replacement. Any ideas? Is this something I can do by myself? I am handy, will follow directions, and like to work on stuff.

I found parts at:
2004 Toyota 4Runner Parts -

Dealer wants > $2k to replace whole assembly.

I did search on the forum for the 15 second trick to go into manual.

Any help would be awesome!!
Jon

 

[IAmTodd]

Pull out your overhead console (two screws in the sunglass section) and then remove the sunroof motor. You'll be able to inspect the belt (I think it's just one) in there.

EDIT-- You're a 4th gen, wrong section.

 

[bpowa]

You probably found my post about manual switch.. Does it closes now?

Misnes still gets stuck when fully open.. I also removed and clean the tracks. with realigning it. Im very sure the cable are grinded up on one side.. But I will deal with it if it ever snaps. it about 500 bucks for new cables and track..
I would hate to take appart the whole liner to get to it.

Greetings all,

I have a stuck sunroof in the open position. 2004 4Runner Limited. I love the little Gilded Monster and I will be the last owner!

I am assuming that the cables are broken as the left side will not move and the right side wants to move. I'm interested in a cheaper-than-dealership replacement. Any ideas? Is this something I can do by myself? I am handy, will follow directions, and like to work on stuff.

I found parts at:
2004 Toyota 4Runner Parts -

Dealer wants > $2k to replace whole assembly.

I did search on the forum for the 15 second trick to go into manual.

Any help would be awesome!!
Jon

 

[Lolrax]

Mine was stuck because the plastic pieces along the sides that covered the tracks were jammed up. Try popping them off, you just have to pull at them with your hands and they will come off. I never put mine back on afterwards.

 

[Bossman]

This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) may help you out.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Cheapest solution? Remove the sunroof and have a shop tack-weld a replacement panel in, then have an upholstery shop patch the headliner (or replace it.) It will be the cheapest solution for you in the long run, sunroofs are just a waste of money and an investment in failed components.

If you're dead set on keeping the sunroof though, I'd try to determine what section of sunroof is damaged and see if you can order the components to repair it. I'm surprised that the dealership is able to source an entire assembly, usually we can only order "cartridges" as that's how most every manufacturers seems to sell repair components for sunroofs.

Toyota Parts - Shop OEM Toyota Parts Online at Village Toyota

 

[Daryler]

bpowa - thanks for the suggestion on the tilt button. My sunroof was stuck in the open position. I pressed the tilt button for 15 seconds and it moved for a second, then I pushed the open button again and then held the tilt button again for 20 seconds. Then, the window just started closing. I was sooo happy. Now my questions is can I never open the sunroof all the way anymore? Was it just misaligned this one time? I did hear some popping noises when I was trying to close it earlier.

I also need to probably put some grease on the sunroof, never have done that. I would think the dealership would do it, they always upsale me on all the other maintenance suggestions.

Thanks.

 

[SirRah]

Last night I had this happen to me. I have looked through the forum and it seems that everyone has a different solution.

•I have tried to hold the tilt button for 15+ seconds, that didn't work
•I tried unplugging the battery for 10+ minutes, that didn't work

What doesn't make sense is it is stuck open, but when I press the tilt/close button nothing happens, but if I press the open button it makes noise and sounds like it is at least trying to move. (But, the wrong way)

It was late with no chance for rain, so I just left it last night.

What should be my next course of action?

 

[SirRah]

Good news! After a good nights sleep and shaking off the cobwebs, I was able to get this fixed this morning.

I had seen this method last night when researching, but it didn't work last night. I was pretty impatient as I had been out and had a few and just wanted to go inside to bed.

So, by pressing and holding the tilt button for 15-20 seconds it finally began to move. It didn't close all the way at first, only about a quarter of the way. So, I held the tilt button some more, again another quarter of the way. Finally, it was almost closed, but then it stopped with about 2 inches to spare and wouldn't budge. So, I backed it up to the halfway point and held tilt again. Once it started to move, I pushed on the sunroof and helped it along and into position.

 

[rburke]

The sunroof in my 06 sport randomly lost its automatic function one day. I tried the holding tilt method for a few seconds and nothing. Decided to open it all the way and hold then close all the way and hold tilt. That worked. Hope you figure it all out!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[chewyspark47]

ive searched and searced but all the info im seeing about moonroofs that are stuck, which mine isnt. it jst wont open at all, theres no noise or anything when the button is pressed. ill ceck the fuses and stuff tomorrow but can anyone point me in the direction of being able to fix this?

 

[Atlanta_man]

Those cheap window glass handlers from Harbor Freight help to grab the glass and get things moving again, then you lube it.

 

[JerryD]

bpowa - thanks for the suggestion on the tilt button. My sunroof was stuck in the open position. I pressed the tilt button for 15 seconds and it moved for a second, then I pushed the open button again and then held the tilt button again for 20 seconds. Then, the window just started closing. I was sooo happy. Now my questions is can I never open the sunroof all the way anymore? Was it just misaligned this one time? I did hear some popping noises when I was trying to close it earlier.

I also need to probably put some grease on the sunroof, never have done that. I would think the dealership would do it, they always upsale me on all the other maintenance suggestions.

Thanks.

Worked for me. I drove into my driveway and attempted to close my sunroof, and the left side stuck. Never a problem in 200k miles until today, and the tilt-solution worked to get it closed. I'll likely never open it again Thanks.

 

[benjamin247]

This forum is a life saver! I opened my sunroof all the way on my drive to work and when I tried closing it, it would just make a sound like something was engaging and then silence. Held the tilt for 15-20 seconds and it started moving.

I bought this 4runner used and the sunroof always functioned slowly and I hear clicking when it gets to the end of the opened positioned. I'm worried that this will eventually get stuck permanently. Would greasing it up and following the pdf attached in an earlier comment have it run smoother?

 

[euy]

This forum is a life saver!

I bought this 4runner used and the sunroof always functioned slowly and I hear clicking when it gets to the end of the opened positioned. I'm worried that this will eventually get stuck permanently. Would greasing it up and following the pdf attached in an earlier comment have it run smoother?

i had the same issue over the weekend....subscribed for help!!!

 

[eleven14]

There is hope

I've been battling the same issue for a few years, without resolution.

That said, the guy below put together the most comprehensive how-to I've seen, and I'll be doing the same as soon as temps allow. He's basically a national hero.

4th Gen Sunroof - stuck in open position/grinding motor sound - SOLVED!

Hope that helps, be sure to report back if you solve it.