Sunroof not moving, motor is still turning
 

My sunroof in my 87 is not will not close on its own any more, for about a year it would move really slow. and sounded like it was wining. the last time i closed it, it took a little foce to get it to move, havn't touched it since! The nut that is exposed in the middle of the roof still turns but nothing moves!

Any Ideas????

I hear that bad teeth on the gears is what cuases this. There should be a more detailed thread in the archives on this.

I have a similar problem and would like to find out how to fix it, I can press teh button pointing to the back and it will pop up and vent ½ an inch, press the forward button adn itll close, I hear the motor running but thats my full range of motion, I know it will take the removal of the headliner so Id rather do some research than have a half guitted car for a while

I've read in some research that it could be the rails area gunked up... anything other reasons?

I agree!
I figured there was.


As Far as I know, the rails are clean, & it dosn't have much of a problem opening, But she hates to close

bump

i am pretty sure it is a cable system and it just needs to be cleaned. to get it open just asist it. push the open button and push at the back of the sunroof till it lifts up. then push the button again and slide it back with your hand helping the motor. thats what i do with mine because i am to lazy to drop the headliner and sunroof assembly out.

I am resurecting this old thread because it seems as though it was never answered. just spent the past 30min looking through the 2nd gen archives and came up with nothing. Anyone know how to cure a slow moving or not moving sunroof? is it the same problem as a slow moving window?

thank you for your help,
Ryosuke

I have this same problem with my sunroof. but it will work when I help it along.

so the general concensus is that the motor just moves slowly and is weak. I'm thinking it might be the same problem as with the windows, concerning the regulators. I'll know this weekend when I pull my roof off AGAIN!! I'll pull the motor and completely go over it.

TR

I had a slow moving one. I had to assist it to pop up and sometimes slide. I bought a new motor for it on ebay for $12 and popped it in and it works beautifully..

the gears on the motor mesh with gears on the cables and mine was bad cables the motor was fine just sat there and spun put new cables in and cleaned the rails put some dry lube on and its good

what cables are you talking about? the ones that run in the metal pipes to each rail? would cleaning the tubes, rails and running some graphite lube in there help or should i replace the whole motor and assembly?

thank you,
TR

i just used lithium grease on the rails and mine worked again

About how long does it take to get all the trim and headliner off to get to the sunroof assembly?

Only one side of my sunroof pops up then it won't move but it sounds like the motor is moving.

I ask about how long it takes cos I'd hate to get started and have it all out then realize the weekend was gone. :(

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/my-sunroof-problem-514705/

That is my opening/closing problem and fix more than likely.

I've kindof got it down to a science to take everything out. move sunroof back manually about 4" open. Rear view mirror assembly, top of the door and A- pillar covers = snap clips and screws. windshield trim snap clips, rear plastic trim, loosen rear side plastic, remove fabric trim around sunroof opening, bend little metal clips that hold onto the roof fabric cover onto the roof and the ceiling should drop on you. it might be easiest to remove this out the rear hatch with the seats folded down.

all that should take about 15 minutes

then you have access to all the sunroof parts which are just bolted on ** WARNING ** the sunroof is heavier than you think at about 20 lbs so be ready to support some weight if you decide to take the whole thing down, not sure if you can just pull the motor or not... check the FSM.

TR

ya the ones in the pipes and look at you motor gear i bet it is good mine was the cables were worn out at the end from holding the close button to long so i would have to push it up and back a little then it would take off hell for that matter i have a motor that is good and you pay for the shipping you can have it if you think that is your fix

What do I do since I can't even get my sunroof to open manually?

you carefully pull the fabric roof trim around the sunroof then again CAREFULLY pry off the fabric sunroof panel and you will see 6 nuts the holt the metal part of the sunroof on. once those are romoved you can lift the metal panel right out of the ceiling and off the top of the car. that will give you access to removing the rest of the fabric ceiling and sunroof harware: frame, motor, tracks etc.

hope that helps,
Ryosuke

I've found a new problem with the sunroof, then what I thought it was originally! It seems that the side that is having all the problems..the track on the inner side that is highest uhh..sides are broken up. Kind of like segments were snapped and moved slightly. I'm going to try sandpapering it down, hoping the smooth surface will help it out. I'll try to get pictures explaining..what the hell I'm talking about. Hell, what AM I talking about! D:

You had me at hello.
...you had me at hello.

But I didn't say hello!! OH NO! I'm gonna grab some pictures of what I'm talking about tomarrow, or maybe tonight after I get off work..but then again, working on that thing in the middle of the night sucks. Tomarrow it is :P

I'm just hoping that really IS the problem. :(