Sunroof issues....

[Jason H.]

Good morning, Guys and girls. I am having an issue with my sunroof on my '01 SE. When I try to open it, the glass moves a little bit (like it's trying to 'vent') and makes a quick clicking noise. It will not open or completely vent, at all. Is this something that I can fix without removing the headliner? I was planning on removing the headliner and putting new fabric on it this summer, anyways, but didn't want to be rushed into it. I HAVE to have my sunroof, though, as that was a deal maker/breaker when I was looking at Bonnevilles to buy. Please help me!

[gweg_b]

Sounds sort of what mine was like. Heard a quick, constant clicking, only only one corner would go up or down. Wouldn't fully vent or retract into the roof. I removed it and found the track was broken. I tried fixing it, and while it would vent after that, it wouldn't go into the roof. Soon it broke again. So I just replaced it with a junkyard unit.

It may be broken, and there's probably not much you can do but replace it. But to really know, you're going to have to remove the headliner and watch what it does when you try to open or vent it.

[00Beast]

Yeah, the headliner's going to have to come down.

[Jason H.]

Gweg, that's exactly how mine is operating...thank you, both, for the information!!


J.

[gweg_b]

No problem. I know exactly how frustrating that is.

[CMNTMXR57]

It is the cable drive mechanism and/or the gear on the motor that pulls/pushes that cable track. While I'm sure you can find the pieces from a junked/wrecked car, it is just cheaper and easier to replace it all as one assembly and will probably net better results as you know it's factory assembled at that point.

Yes, the headliner and plactic trim needs to come down. You need to remove the O/H console that has the map lights and the switches, the sunvisors, and the roof grab handles. The actual headliner has magnets and possibly velcro (mine had a few pieces), to help hold it up for reassembly, but it is still a PITA.

Once this is all down, the sunroof assembly is held in place with 6 - 10mm bolts (if I recall correctly). You will also need to disconnect the drain tubes at each corner. You may have to loosen and relocate some electronic parts for the XM/Onstar antenna which is near the back end of the assembly in the roof.

Here is what a full assembly looks like (I sold this, so I no longer have it, but this was my busted OEM unit). I had the opposite issue. It would open, but it wouldn't close and make the same sounds. For awhile, if I "assisted" it, it would work, but I had enough of that poop...

Here is the bottom side (the side that would face you once it's installed). Note the motor and transmission assembly is on the back side of the assembly.;


Here is the top, you'd only see the glass portion outside the vehicle;

[Jason H.]

Thanks for the info, Cement Mixer!

[GotBonneBWitMe]

Sorry . . Completely off topic.

But that is what his name says! ^ LOL

[CMNTMXR57]

Don't upset me, I make loafers too...

[Jason H.]

I went to my local Boneyard, yesterday, and got a great deal on an assembly that came out of an '02 Caddy Deville (I think...I forgot what the tag said). The guy at the counter (a knowledgeable old friend) said that this would work for my car (according to what his computer told him). My question is this: Are all Bonneville Sunroof Assemblies bolt-in? The one that I purchased has flat framework that gets glued to the underside of the roof. Question 2: If in fact the assemblies are NOT interchangable, how easy/difficult is it going to be to remove a broken track or replace the cable(s) (whichever one is causing my problems)?

[myfirstbonnie]

According to Car-part.com it will work. Ours bolts in, so if the replacement doesn't have holes, then there is a problem.

[Jason H.]

Crap....thanks MFB.

[gweg_b]

I've also heard the Deville assembly will work (almost ordered one myself before I got one from an SSEi). Unfortunately, this sunroofs are pretty much a single unit. You can swap the motors, glass, and sunshade, but I don't think anything else on it is designed to replaceable.

Of course, if you're always determined enough, there's always a way.

[Jason H.]

I was looking at it, yesterday, and the tracks are screwed in. Also, it appears as though the cable runs in a channel that looks as though it's attached to the track. i gues the only way to find out is to get dirty. It'll be a couple of weeks as I am awaiting fabric samples for my new headliner, but as soon as I can I will update this thread in case someone else has the same questions. Thanks for all of your help, Greg!

[CMNTMXR57]

I said in my first post ours is held in by 6 - 10mm bolts... :p

I can't comment on any level of interchangeability. I will say this. The pictures I posted above, is a sunroof assembly out of a Bonneville. If the one you got out of a Caddy does not look like it, doesn't have the same curvature in the frame, etc, it probably won't be a direct fit and will require some "back-yard engineering" to make fit... At which time, I don't know that I would want to waste my time. Just find one from a Bonneville. That's what I did on car-part.com.

[yourgrandma]

Same issue here.... It's on my list.

[1tinindian]

It is the cable drive mechanism and/or the gear on the motor that pulls/pushes that cable track. While I'm sure you can find the pieces from a junked/wrecked car, it is just cheaper and easier to replace it all as one assembly and will probably net better results as you know it's factory assembled at that point.

Yes, the headliner and plactic trim needs to come down. You need to remove the O/H console that has the map lights and the switches, the sunvisors, and the roof grab handles. The actual headliner has magnets and possibly velcro (mine had a few pieces), to help hold it up for reassembly, but it is still a PITA.

Once this is all down, the sunroof assembly is held in place with 6 - 10mm bolts (if I recall correctly). You will also need to disconnect the drain tubes at each corner. You may have to loosen and relocate some electronic parts for the XM/Onstar antenna which is near the back end of the assembly in the roof.

Here is what a full assembly looks like (I sold this, so I no longer have it, but this was my busted OEM unit). I had the opposite issue. It would open, but it wouldn't close and make the same sounds. For awhile, if I "assisted" it, it would work, but I had enough of that poop...

Here is the bottom side (the side that would face you once it's installed). Note the motor and transmission assembly is on the back side of the assembly.;


Here is the top, you'd only see the glass portion outside the vehicle;

That looks familiar!

Leon

[CMNTMXR57]

I wonder who bought it...