Sunshade gets stuck in open position when sunroof retracts

[makz06]

I'm having trouble with the sunshade in my new 96 Explorer. When I fully open the sunroof and it retracts to the rearward position it pulls the sunshade all the way back up under the headliner. When the sunroof comes back forward the sunshade stays stuck in the rear position all the way back up under the headliner. No part of it is even visible in the opening. I have to wedge my fingers up between the headliner and shade and wrestle it back to the front. Extremely difficult.
Anyone else had this problem before? I can't figure out how it's supposed to work. Should something catch on the sunroof when it comes back forward to pull it back to the front? Should it even go all the way back up under the headliner to begin with? It's already looking a little worse for wear with some plastic bits broken off. I guess the previous owner has been prying it out from under the headliner too...
Thanks for any help.

 

[windsors03cobra]

My 99 does pull it back forward exposing th handle pull so you can slide it forward. It does slide all the way back, getting it out sounds very uncomfortable.
These things do go wrong from time to time and an early 2nd gen exploder that is 16 years old will likely have moonroof problems. Repair parts are probably limited as well. You might contact a local sunroof installer, sometimes the expertise of a specialist is worth a couple bucks.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Or drop the headliner and see if the pull tabs are gone or the track for the shade is messed up...

 

[makz06]

Or drop the headliner and see if the pull tabs are gone or the track for the shade is messed up...

What and where are the pull tabs? Thanks

 

[Joe Dirt]

They are part of the shade assembly. You'll have to pull the headliner to get to them. You can try to pull the overhead console, the sun visors, and the a-pillar/front door trim as well as the gasket around the moonroof opening and see if you can get in there without pulling the whole thing down...