Why my car sunroof won’t open

This article will address the reasons behind why my car sunroof won’t open. Sunroofs have become common on cars these days. However, not many people take proper care of it, due to which it stops opening. This article will first mention the few reasons behind a sunroof that isn’t opening. Then we will explain the problem diagnosing procedure for two common sunroof problems.

A sunroof is a device installed on the top of the vehicle. The sunroof allows the light and fresh air to enter the vehicle’s cabin. The sunroof in earlier vehicles was used to be operated manually, but in modern vehicles, the sunroof is controlled automatically with the press of a button. 

Apart from providing fresh air and light to the cabin, the moonroof can also enjoy the beauty around the vehicle at slow speeds in an area with natural beauty. However, a person can only experience the sunroof at low speed because as the speed increases, the wind blast faced by the person standing out of the sunroof also increases.  

But, the sunroof experience can be easily hindered by a fault in the operating system of the sunroof. The power moonroof can break down for several reasons, and some of the reasons responsible for the breakdown of the sunroof are as follows.

Reasons behind why my car sunroof won’t open

  • The sunroof tracks are clogged.
  • The sunroof cable is broken.
  • The electric motor stops working.
  • The sunroof switch goes faulty.

Diagnosing the tracks of the sunroof

These are some of the reasons which can cause the sunroof to break down. However, some of the common reasons behind the breaking of the sunroof are faulty switches and clogged tracks. The section below will explain the procedure to diagnose those problems.

  • To examine the vehicle’s sunroof, you need two tools: a flashlight and wheel chocks.
  • To begin the procedure of checking the sunroof tracks, first, you need to park the vehicle on a hard surface and then put the car is neutral or parking gear.
  • Engage the parking brakes and put wheel chocks behind the vehicle’s rear tires, which will prevent the car from going backwards.
  • Once the car is stationary, open the vehicle’s sunroof and, with the help of a flashlight, examine the tracks for debris.
  • With the help of a screwdriver and degreaser cleaner, remove the debris, dirt, or hardened grease present on the track.
  • Once the cleaning procedure of the moon roof is complete, try closing the sunroof again. If the sunroof closes perfectly, debris is removed successfully from the tracks. 
  • Once you have cleaned the tracks of the sunroof, it is now time to clean the area around the sunroof.

Diagnosing the moonroof for failed switch

To check the moon roof for a failed switch, you need some tools. The tools required are mentioned below.

  • Flashlight
  • Flathead screwdriver
  • Nine-volt battery saver
  • Socket set
  • Torx bit set
  • Wheel Chocks
  • The first step in checking the moonroof switch is to park the vehicle on a flat surface and bring the gearbox to a neutral or parking position.
  • Once the car is in the stationary position, it is now time to put wheel chocks on the rear wheels so that the car doesn’t move. 
  • Before opening the switch assembly of the sunroof, you should check the fuse of the sunroof present in the fuse box. If the fuse is blown, then you must change the fuse.
  • However, if the fuse is ok, you need to disconnect the power going to the sunroof motor.
  • Open the vehicle’s hood, and disconnect the car battery. You need to take the negative cable out from the battery to disconnect. 
  • After the battery is disconnected, you need to find the sunroof switch. The switch is generally present near the reading light on the vehicle.
  • Once you have located the switch, you need to remove the switch from the dashboard and disconnect the harness from the switch.
  • Once the switch is removed, you need to examine the metal contacts on the switch. Mostly the metal contacts get damaged due to debris or corrosion. Moreover, examine the harness as well for dust and corrosion. If there is no dust and corrosion, then most probably, the switch has failed electronically. In such a case replacing the switch is the best idea.

Conclusion

In this article, we have successfully explained the “my car sunroof won’t open” problem. The sunroof on a vehicle is a luxury feature that enhances the sunlight and gives the cabin a blissful feeling. Moreover, a sunroof allows a person to go out and witness the beauty around the car. However, the sunroof on a vehicle is delicate and can easily get damaged even with the slightest tampering. Therefore, a person should know the different problems a sunroof can go through.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): my car sunroof won’t open

How much does it cost to fix a sunroof?

A sunroof is a luxury feature in a car that has a complex mechanism combining electrical and mechanical systems. Thus it charges between $400 to $800 to fix the car’s sunroof. 

Is there a fuse for the sunroof?

Like every electronic component on your car, the sunroof also has a fuse that protects the system from getting excess voltage. If the fuse blows away, then the sunroof will not work. Hence changing the fuse is the only option left.

How do you test the sunroof motor?

If you are doubtful about the working of the sunroof motor, then the easiest way to confirm whether the motor is working or not is by removing the motor from the car battery and testing it.

Where is the sunroof motor?

The sunroof motor is present under the headliner, attached to the sunroof regulator assembly. The sunroof motor is responsible for the opening and closing of the sunroof.

References

  1. https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-troubleshoot-a-power-moon-roof-that-won-t-open-by-marvin-sunderland