Here's the deal. I bought my RX back in March. The sunroof didn't work then. Used that to knock off $600 from the price.

Well, I began to look into why it didn't work. Pulled the headliner down and found 4 wires that were cut. A brown, white, blue and a green one. I have no idea where the other ends of the wires ran, they aren't anywhere around. I tore half the interior apart, the A-pillars are gone, the carpet got pulled up and I couldn't seriously trace where they came from.

So, I ran a jumper cable to the positive post on the battery and brang it into the interior to give myself a hot lead. By giving the white power, I could cross two of the other wires and make the motor turn. Then, I gave the blue (I think, will update) power and crossed a different combination to make the motor turn the opposite direction.

The panel never left its position however. We pushed on the panel and it lifts up about a 1/2 inch. It isn't sealed shut, but it won't move.

Is there anything I can do to make it work or am I going to have to replace the whole assembly?

 

I bought a can of WB sumthin its like WD-40 but better
and spayed it in the tracks the spring ( or whatever retracts it) was rust frozen... i soaked and soaked and then using an allen wrench and the button I broke it loose it works pretty good now but it still sticks from time to time and i have to push with my hand to open/close it. but thats what I did...

 

Our sunroofs are notorious for seizing.

Check out www.iluvmyrx7.com for a download of the Sunroof section of the 1988 Factory Service Manual. It may give you some ideas on what to go after...

Otherwise, you'll probably have to choose between searching wreckers for a working sunroof (very slim chance) or ordering one from Mazda ($$$.) You could also post in the Wanted section of the Forum, but I would doubt that anyone with a working sunroof would be willing to part with it.


ttyl,
Amur_

 

I have a new assembly coming from a parted out 88 TII. $100 for the panel, rail assembly and motor all in working condition and the panel is in good shape.

Thanks for the wiring diagram idea. That will definitely help out.

 

Disassmble, clean, and lube the entire sunroof. If the motor turns and the drivetrain mechanisms work, it's probably just dirt buildup.