New member & sunroof question!

[MKonrad]

New member in Los Angeles here! I have a power sunroof problem (motor/tracking assembly) with my 2000 Explorer Limited. I believe I have to take down at least the front of the headliner to get at the motor & assembly, correct? A replacement motor is reasonably easy to find but I haven’t found a replacement tracking assembly for my model yet. Maybe I won’t need one? Thread pointers appreciated as I haven’t done this before!

 

[Deleted member 352605]

yes, the headliner has to come off, not the whole thing, but the front, but that bends it, so i would take the whole headliner off, but that's up to you. after you get there, inspectthe problem, check connections, once that's over, let me know what the issue is, and ill try to find the parts/procedure

 

[MKonrad]

yes, the headliner has to come off, not the whole thing, but the front, but that bends it, so i would take the whole headliner off, but that's up to you. after you get there, inspectthe problem, check connections, once that's over, let me know what the issue is, and ill try to find the parts/procedure

Thank you

yes, the headliner has to come off, not the whole thing, but the front, but that bends it, so i would take the whole headliner off, but that's up to you. after you get there, inspectthe problem, check connections, once that's over, let me know what the issue is, and ill try to find the parts/procedure

yes, the headliner has to come off, not the whole thing, but the front, but that bends it, so i would take the whole headliner off, but that's up to you. after you get there, inspectthe problem, check connections, once that's over, let me know what the issue is, and ill try to find the parts/procedure

Thank you! I’m having real trouble removing the headliner from the front & back of the ceiling sunroof cutout. I got the left & right sides ok but the front & back seem to be clippyor attached differently. Where is the motor physically located in the ceiling? I was able to power it on, move it back & forth (but not vent/tilt). I got it to close perfectly, turned off the ignition & a few seconds later the back edge tilted DOWN about an inch & stopped (as if it thought it was now closed properly). Is there a software reset procedure for the 2000 Limited that I should try before risking interior damage trying to get that headliner completely off the sunroof cutout? Thank you again for any thoughts or help you can reply with! I see plenty of the Bosch motors on eBay; that should be no problem to get one if I really need one. Getting that headliner off the cutout without destroying everything is a major PITA!

 

[Deleted member 352605]

if its controlled by the GEM, which i believe it is, i think you can unplug the battery terminal and wait a minimum of an hour, probably more just in case, for everything to completely run out of juice... then reconnect the terminals. thjat should reset it... also, if you have a scan tool, clear all the codes, so that it will reset modules (or at least mine does) and, for one last measure, turn the key on, off, on (on being run position, off being off), although i believe this is the 4x4 monitor, it cant hurt

 

[Deleted member 352605]

also, living in LA as well, i understand the needs for the sunroof lol... even tho i roll don the windows a lot...

 

[MKonrad]

if its controlled by the GEM, which i believe it is, i think you can unplug the battery terminal and wait a minimum of an hour, probably more just in case, for everything to completely run out of juice... then reconnect the terminals. thjat should reset it... also, if you have a scan tool, clear all the codes, so that it will reset modules (or at least mine does) and, for one last measure, turn the key on, off, on (on being run position, off being off), although i believe this is the 4x4 mo

if its controlled by the GEM, which i believe it is, i think you can unplug the battery terminal and wait a minimum of an hour, probably more just in case, for everything to completely run out of juice... then reconnect the terminals. thjat should reset it... also, if you have a scan tool, clear all the codes, so that it will reset modules (or at least mine does) and, for one last measure, turn the key on, off, on (on being run position, off being off), although i believe this is the 4x4 monitor, it cant hurt

also, living in LA as well, i understand the needs for the sunroof lol... even tho i roll don the windows a lot...

Thanks! I’ll give the reset a try. I also noticed the right side of the sunroof glass has partially separated from the mounting bracket, preventing a tight seal & allowing both air & water inside. I believe I’ll have to remove the glass to clean the bracket & glass & then reglue it. I can see 3 star bolts on each side holding the glass brackets in place but physically getting the glass out of the cutout area may be a problem. I’m still stuck at finishing removal of the headliner from the front & back sunroof cutout area as well. If I can get the headliner down & the glass out, I’ll repair it as best I can & replace the motor for good measure. If I can’t get the headliner & glass out without serious risk of damage, I’ll put it all back together & silicone seal the glass into place. I’ll still have sunlight but no open air. I’ll let you know what happens. Thanks again!

 

[MrQ]

You will have to take the headliner out to get to the track assembly, but not for the motor. What is your exact issue with the sunroof?

Also the GEM module doesn't have anything to do with the sunroof so disconnecting your battery won't help that. It is controlled by the button on the overhead console which sends power to the motor, that's it.

 

[Deleted member 352605]

oh, i thought the gem controlled the overhead console which send power to the sunroof... in that case, yes, the reset does nothing...

 

[MrQ]

No the overhead console is a self contained unit.

 

[MKonrad]

No the overhead console is a self contained unit

Here are the the problems & photos:
1) I noticed water spots on the headliner & could see the moonroof glass was not sealing properly.
2) Right side of glass is substantially detached & unglued from bracket plate.
3) Arrow buttons work intermittently, C sometimes works, buttons 1 & 2 stopped working.
4) Headliner is completely detached from ceiling EXCEPT for the front & back edges of the sunroof cutout. I cannot figure out how to detach the retaining clips without tearing the fabric.
5) I still do not know where the sunroof motor is physically located on this model (above which seating position, for example).
6) To clean & reglue the right side glass to the track bracket, it probably needs to be removed & that brings me right back to the headliner removal problem (#4 above). Please see photos; any advice will be greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

[Deleted member 352605]

from my little experience (way less than most other members), i think the sunroof leak caused an electrical short.... which leads it to work intermittently... did the leak happen first before the electrical issue? this is based on my limited college experience.. also, i don't know where the sunroof motor is.. sorry

 

[MKonrad]

from my little experience (way less than most other members), i think the sunroof leak caused an electrical short.... which leads it to work intermittently... did the leak happen first before the electrical issue? this is based on my limited college experience.. also, i don't know where the sunroof motor is.. sorry

I’m sure the leak came first. 3 star-bit bolts on each side secured the glass & brackets to the track & I was able to remove them & take the glass & frame out of the vehicle. Most of the glue under 3 sides has failed (not just the right side). I’m in the process of regluing the glass now & will install tomorrow (see pic). The driver’s side track arm was very stiff & could have put additional stress on the motor. I’ve cleaned & greased both arms & they now swing freely. My plan is install the repaired glass tomorrow & just try it again with my fingers crossed. The entire headliner is disconnected from the ceiling except for the front & back edges of the sunroof cutout. If I get lucky & the power & switches work, I’ll put everything back together & callit a day. If it doesn’t, I’ll probably take it to a sunroof shop & pay them to finish removing the headliner from the sunroof cutout.