moon roof motor

Discuss your 2000-2005 Bonneville SE, SLE, SSEi, Buick Le Sabre 00-05 and Buick Park Avenue 97-05. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
Leftd90
Posts like an L36
Posts like an L36
Posts: 1018
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 7:02 pm
Year and Trim: 2001 SLE
Location: Portage, MI
Contact:

moon roof motor

Post by Leftd90 »

So my motor works but I think the gears are bad. Is there a stopper on the gears, because it'll go in the vent position but when you try and get it to open up. It will try and then just lock up or grind the gears. Anybody know how hard it is to change the motor unless someone thinks its something else?
Image
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/738114/1
Jan. '07 COTM,203,000 + miles,BL Overlay,Cleared Fronts,GXP Tails ,18" GXP's, Aeroforce gauge, FWI, 6x9 infiniti 9603i 3way rear speakers, Alpine SPR-17S door speakers,JVC deck ,GXP gauges,SSEI floor mats, Black SLE overlays,Reverse LEDs, 180 T-stat drilled, 12" L5 Sub, 760w Sony amp, 8500K BLUE XENON Lights(fronts/fogs), Painted Silver Grill, AC Delco Plugs, Bosch Wires, GXP Rocker Moldings
sonoma_zr2
Retired Gearhead
Retired Gearhead
Posts: 3643
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 9:39 am
Year and Trim: 1999 SSEi
1997 SSEi-Resting-353K
Location: Montevideo, MN

Re: moon roof motor

Post by sonoma_zr2 »

9 times out of 10 it's the track, not the motor. They both require the headliner to come down.
User avatar
Red Rocket
Posts like an LN3
Posts like an LN3
Posts: 476
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 8:47 pm
Year and Trim: 2000 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi
Location: Lancaster/Hatfield, PA

Re: moon roof motor

Post by Red Rocket »

I have the exact same problem with mine and it's the track. Mine is not lined up evenly at all so I've been having some leaking issues. Unfortunately, it's a fairly common issue.
Image
Audio: 12" Alpine Type R in 2.3 cu. ft. box tuned to 31 hz, Audiobahn A8000T, Rockford Fosgate 3sixty.1, Kicker wiring
Mods: Cross drilled and slotted rotors, hopefully more to come soon
01bonneSC
Certified Bonneville Nut
Certified Bonneville Nut
Posts: 4938
Joined: Sat May 24, 2008 5:18 pm
Year and Trim: 05 Chevy 'Hoe
1997 'maro (3.8L M5)
89 SkiDoo
Location: Sycamore, IL

Re: moon roof motor

Post by 01bonneSC »

A problem I just solved was tightening the bolts that hold the glass to the track. Mine were loose, making for a lot of wind noise/rattelling and when I would go through an auto carwash the blowers at the end would lift my glass away from my car like it was gonna suck it right off. SCARY!! So the other day I noticed the that the bolts which held the glass to the track/assembly were very loose and I could push up on the glass and make it move to see some daylight out the top. NOT leaking water at all also, BTW!!! Well, nothing more than the drains can handle. Also noticed the back of the glass was sitting almost 3/8 of an inch below the roof line. SO, I lined up the glass and roof and tightened everything down. Did a quick run through a carwash and I was not longer afraid of getting sucked out the moonroof Tornado style. Now the only area I hear air coming in is where the seal on the glass is missing by the driver front corner.
Image
00Beast wrote:Less off-topic than Lane's Heated Steering wheel, but yeah, back to the topic.
Karl
Posts like a Northstar
Posts like a Northstar
Posts: 1675
Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 8:24 am
Year and Trim: 2001 SSEi
Location: The deep south of New Hampshire

Re: moon roof motor

Post by Karl »

sonoma_zr2 wrote:9 times out of 10 it's the track, not the motor. They both require the headliner to come down.
What's the fix Travis? Is it an adjustment?
Formerly 95seand78z28
Image
2001 SSEi (L67Heaven) - Swooped, Pullied, Cleared, and Tinted -GONE!
2014 GMC Sierra SLT.
sonoma_zr2
Retired Gearhead
Retired Gearhead
Posts: 3643
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 9:39 am
Year and Trim: 1999 SSEi
1997 SSEi-Resting-353K
Location: Montevideo, MN

Re: moon roof motor

Post by sonoma_zr2 »

Karl wrote:
sonoma_zr2 wrote:9 times out of 10 it's the track, not the motor. They both require the headliner to come down.
What's the fix Travis? Is it an adjustment?
If it is the track, it went out of adj because it has a bad spot. Replacing the track assembly is the only fix.
kobrak
SSE Member
SSE Member
Posts: 102
Joined: Sat May 31, 2008 10:54 pm
Year and Trim: 2000 SSEI

Re: moon roof motor

Post by kobrak »

I have the same problem....ie you can hear the motor run, but the roof does not move. I dropped the headliner the other day and here is where I'm at. It seems there are 4 tubes that run into/from the motor. Two of them you can trace as they make the bend towards the front of the car, Two I cannot trace as they disappear towards the sides of the car. The two I can trace have no cable in them? I'm thinking they get cable in them once the roof is opened. It allows the cable to feed into and out of them. This leads me to believe the motor has stripped its gears. Problem will be troubleshooting the motor. Anyone have the service maual breakout to see what and how things are actually broken down? I had to button things back up for now, but I'm hoping to address the issue on another eekend:)
sonoma_zr2
Retired Gearhead
Retired Gearhead
Posts: 3643
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 9:39 am
Year and Trim: 1999 SSEi
1997 SSEi-Resting-353K
Location: Montevideo, MN

Re: moon roof motor

Post by sonoma_zr2 »

that is the problem, the worm gear that runs on the "cable" is stripped and it is not a servicable part. the "cable" is actually a tight wound spring about 2 foot in length. You are correct , it is feed into the empty tube.
Karl
Posts like a Northstar
Posts like a Northstar
Posts: 1675
Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 8:24 am
Year and Trim: 2001 SSEi
Location: The deep south of New Hampshire

Re: moon roof motor

Post by Karl »

I can imagine what a new sunroof assy will cost.... even from Ed...
Formerly 95seand78z28
Image
2001 SSEi (L67Heaven) - Swooped, Pullied, Cleared, and Tinted -GONE!
2014 GMC Sierra SLT.
sonoma_zr2
Retired Gearhead
Retired Gearhead
Posts: 3643
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 9:39 am
Year and Trim: 1999 SSEi
1997 SSEi-Resting-353K
Location: Montevideo, MN

Re: moon roof motor

Post by sonoma_zr2 »

Karl wrote:I can imagine what a new sunroof assy will cost.... even from Ed...
most jy's will charge you $50, that includes the glass
Karl
Posts like a Northstar
Posts like a Northstar
Posts: 1675
Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 8:24 am
Year and Trim: 2001 SSEi
Location: The deep south of New Hampshire

Re: moon roof motor

Post by Karl »

00+ is hard to find in jy's though....
Formerly 95seand78z28
Image
2001 SSEi (L67Heaven) - Swooped, Pullied, Cleared, and Tinted -GONE!
2014 GMC Sierra SLT.
sonoma_zr2
Retired Gearhead
Retired Gearhead
Posts: 3643
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 9:39 am
Year and Trim: 1999 SSEi
1997 SSEi-Resting-353K
Location: Montevideo, MN

Re: moon roof motor

Post by sonoma_zr2 »

Karl wrote:00+ is hard to find in jy's though....
true, but my brain snaps to 96-99 though :roll: :)
kobrak
SSE Member
SSE Member
Posts: 102
Joined: Sat May 31, 2008 10:54 pm
Year and Trim: 2000 SSEI

Re: moon roof motor

Post by kobrak »

So, am I understanding that you can't simply replace the motor? It comes as an all in one assembly?
sonoma_zr2
Retired Gearhead
Retired Gearhead
Posts: 3643
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 9:39 am
Year and Trim: 1999 SSEi
1997 SSEi-Resting-353K
Location: Montevideo, MN

Re: moon roof motor

Post by sonoma_zr2 »

kobrak wrote:So, am I understanding that you can't simply replace the motor? It comes as an all in one assembly?
the motor and the track are 2 seperate units. you can replace one or the other or both. the part the strips in the track isnt part of the motor.
rrounds
Posts like an L36
Posts like an L36
Posts: 977
Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 10:29 am
Year and Trim: 2000 SSEi
Location: Sacramento,CA

Re: moon roof motor

Post by rrounds »

I am having mine replaced right now. The cable broke on one side causing the glass to cock sideways and break the track on both sides. Now the good news. You can buy the tracks, cabels and side moldings that keep the tracks in place but it will cost you $1,300.00 from the dealer. I was lucky to find the whole sunroof assembly glass and all at the auto dismantlers for $175.00. It is from a 2004 Cadillac Seville. It is supposed to be a direct fit to the SSEI. They told me that the 1998 to 2004 Cadillac DeVille, Seville and Bonneville's all have the exact same sunroofs. I should get the car back from the shop tomorrow if this is the same sunroof assembly.

ROD
2000 SSEI (SOLD)
rods789 at comcast.net
PB 14.474 @ 96.248 PB 60' 2.168
180 therm AEM DRYFLOW Air Filters
3.33 pulley 3" cat back exhaust
custom solid front motor mount
custom 6" (BIG) intake
__WCBF '06, '07, '08, '11 survivor__
Leftd90
Posts like an L36
Posts like an L36
Posts: 1018
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 7:02 pm
Year and Trim: 2001 SLE
Location: Portage, MI
Contact:

Re: moon roof motor

Post by Leftd90 »

Is it easy to drop the roof?
Image
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/738114/1
Jan. '07 COTM,203,000 + miles,BL Overlay,Cleared Fronts,GXP Tails ,18" GXP's, Aeroforce gauge, FWI, 6x9 infiniti 9603i 3way rear speakers, Alpine SPR-17S door speakers,JVC deck ,GXP gauges,SSEI floor mats, Black SLE overlays,Reverse LEDs, 180 T-stat drilled, 12" L5 Sub, 760w Sony amp, 8500K BLUE XENON Lights(fronts/fogs), Painted Silver Grill, AC Delco Plugs, Bosch Wires, GXP Rocker Moldings
Karl
Posts like a Northstar
Posts like a Northstar
Posts: 1675
Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 8:24 am
Year and Trim: 2001 SSEi
Location: The deep south of New Hampshire

Re: moon roof motor

Post by Karl »

rrounds wrote:I am having mine replaced right now. The cable broke on one side causing the glass to cock sideways and break the track on both sides. Now the good news. You can buy the tracks, cabels and side moldings that keep the tracks in place but it will cost you $1,300.00 from the dealer. I was lucky to find the whole sunroof assembly glass and all at the auto dismantlers for $175.00. It is from a 2004 Cadillac Seville. It is supposed to be a direct fit to the SSEI. They told me that the 1998 to 2004 Cadillac DeVille, Seville and Bonneville's all have the exact same sunroofs. I should get the car back from the shop tomorrow if this is the same sunroof assembly.

ROD
Let us know how it goes Rod...
Formerly 95seand78z28
Image
2001 SSEi (L67Heaven) - Swooped, Pullied, Cleared, and Tinted -GONE!
2014 GMC Sierra SLT.
sonoma_zr2
Retired Gearhead
Retired Gearhead
Posts: 3643
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 9:39 am
Year and Trim: 1999 SSEi
1997 SSEi-Resting-353K
Location: Montevideo, MN

Re: moon roof motor

Post by sonoma_zr2 »

Leftd90 wrote:Is it easy to drop the roof?
you drop the headliner, the sunroof comes out the top of the car. the whole sunroof assembly actually comes out really quick, its the headliner that is the pain in the ass.
Leftd90
Posts like an L36
Posts like an L36
Posts: 1018
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 7:02 pm
Year and Trim: 2001 SLE
Location: Portage, MI
Contact:

Re: moon roof motor

Post by Leftd90 »

sonoma_zr2 wrote:
Leftd90 wrote:Is it easy to drop the roof?
you drop the headliner, the sunroof comes out the top of the car. the whole sunroof assembly actually comes out really quick, its the headliner that is the pain in the ass.
Well thats what i meant to ask, how easy it is to drop the headliner?
Image
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/738114/1
Jan. '07 COTM,203,000 + miles,BL Overlay,Cleared Fronts,GXP Tails ,18" GXP's, Aeroforce gauge, FWI, 6x9 infiniti 9603i 3way rear speakers, Alpine SPR-17S door speakers,JVC deck ,GXP gauges,SSEI floor mats, Black SLE overlays,Reverse LEDs, 180 T-stat drilled, 12" L5 Sub, 760w Sony amp, 8500K BLUE XENON Lights(fronts/fogs), Painted Silver Grill, AC Delco Plugs, Bosch Wires, GXP Rocker Moldings
Karl
Posts like a Northstar
Posts like a Northstar
Posts: 1675
Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 8:24 am
Year and Trim: 2001 SSEi
Location: The deep south of New Hampshire

Re: moon roof motor

Post by Karl »

sonoma_zr2 wrote:
Karl wrote:I can imagine what a new sunroof assy will cost.... even from Ed...
most jy's will charge you $50, that includes the glass
Just an FYI, Ed Morad gets $150 +shipping for a sunroof assy for an 00+
Formerly 95seand78z28
Image
2001 SSEi (L67Heaven) - Swooped, Pullied, Cleared, and Tinted -GONE!
2014 GMC Sierra SLT.
Post Reply