Sunroof Doesn't Move

[rait63]

I have a 2004 Sport Trac XLT with the factory sunroof. Sunroof has had open/close problems since I bought the truck. I've had the sunroof "repaired" twice by a shop that specializes in sunroof and convertible top repair. The shop was recommended by a friend who works in a local body shop.

After the last repair, the sunroof worked fine for a couple of weeks, then the movement to close the roof became erratic (the roof would move only an inch or so, then stop, and then move another inch or so once I released and pressed the switch again ... and so on until it closed completely.

Now, it does little if anything ... either little or no movement one way or the other. I am lucky in one sense ... the roof is closed!

The repair guy claims to have pulled the headliner, cleaned the motor that actuates the sunroof, and adjusted the timing (whatever that means when it comes to sunroofs). I'm wondering if it might be something as simple as a worn out switch. Any ideas?

Thanks, Steve

[shorod]

I'd suspect that the sunroof is binding somewhere and tripping the circuit breaker. You might start by using the "manual operation" feature to see if you experience a lot of resistance in various positions of operation. Maybe the grease is just gummed up. Insert a flat head screwdriver in the center of the manual drive slot to depress the release pin. Rotate the screwdriver clockwise to close the roof panel or counterclockwise to open.

Keep in mind I've never tried this, I'm just reading it from the service manual, so I don't know where this magic "manual drive slot" is. It appears to be on the motor/gearbox assembly from the diagram.

As for the "timing," there are adjustments and alignments to improve operation. I suspect those are what "timing" changes he made, and may be what's causing the binding.

-Rod

[liquidlunch1812]

clean the connections to the switch, I had to clean my switch up and put a little electric connection grease on mine and now it works fine.

[rait63]

It worked! I removed the sunroof switch, used WD-40 on the contacts and doused the switch in the stuff. It now works fine. Thanks.

Now that the roof works, my plan is to lubricate the rails as Ron suggested.

Thanks again, Steve