Sunroof problems

[bkmjet]

I just bought a 01 cavalier and stupidly agreed with the dealer that the sunroof doesn't have to work if they have to replace the motor. The repair shop it went into for prep couldn't pry the window open so they left it as is. I believe the problem is that the track needs to be lubricated. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I should get the window open and what kind of lubricant to try before I rip out the motor? Also, does anyone know if the sunroof is in the Haynes Cavalier/Sunfire repair manual, if yes can you point out the page to me, I can't find it.

I also want to replace the roof interior because it's ripped up. I plan on going to a junk yard and ripping one out and putting it in my car. Can someone enlighten me as to how to do this or point me to some guides please?

And does anyone know if the sunroof motor and track etc. will exposed if the interior is out or is there something else there? Thanks for any help

[kirkwood158]

yes you can get to everything with the head liner panel removed or even with the front part let down you might just find that the plastic gear has fallen out as in my case and just reinstalling was needed. Sun visors off, plastic pins just pull straight out, and side plastic trim just pull straight off . The 97 was eaisy to work on just take time and study the gears the red piece is like a go between saftey gear but every thing must line back up to start and stop where it should and once messing with it you will figure it out. ,,,if you have good common sense be ready to cut power off if you think the red piece is getting in a bind I was luck already had spare piece from junk yard it will break!!! if caught ina bind between gears

the motor has three screws in it and once it is removed you can slide sun roof by hand.....push the back part up and out sliding the whole unit to the back.
No it is not in the haynes manual or GM service manual and this is not the full instructions either but it is do able

[bkmjet]

Thanks, that's a lot of help right there. Does anyone know what kind of lubricant to use if that's the issue?

[kirkwood158]

when I lubed the rails I just care fully squirted WD-40 with some light grade lithium grease, out of the spray can but I am sure there is something better. Some lube better than no lube

On the motor thing if the red piece gets stuck or is in a bind just remove motor again then it will be loose for realignment..... when you get it apart you will see , it will seem easy

[bkmjet]

I couldn't get the headliner down enough to see the right side of the motor. The headliner was glued to the opening to the sunroof so I would have to rip it down to take it down. I can't even force the roof open

I'm just gonna take it to a shop and see how much it would cost to get it fixed, it shouldn't be too much 'cause the motor seems fine. The labor will probably hurt though.

[kirkwood158]

YEP IT WILL there is a ribber trim around openning that peels off the center slide panel bt hand stays in

[bkmjet]

Well that's the thing, there is no rubber trim. The headliner is glued right to opening for the roof. I don't think its a stock sunroof. I compared it to my sister's 00 Sunfire and they are completely different. There isn't a slot for the sunshade and the switch is located farther from the windshield (and it's a different switch). I believe the motor is also in a slightly different spot.