yushen1989

iTrader: (1)

Hi, everyone, my sunroof failed to open. The situation is that when I press open no matter tilt or slide, nothing happened. But if I press close (the sunroof is totally closed when I press it) noise comes. I have searched and tried to reset the motor but the rattle sound never stopped.
Here is the video I hope I can tell you the problem. I want to make sure the problem is causing by the weak motor I have before I purchase a used one. Thanks, guys. I appreciate any input
http://youtu.be/78pMB9tYyOo

wrightcomputing

iTrader: (5)

Try disconnecting the battery. My thermometer stopped working and when I disconnected the battery it started to work again.
I'm not too hopeful in your case but it will only take 2 mins to try it.

yushen1989

iTrader: (1)

OK. thanks will do it and let you know, thanks

yushen1989

iTrader: (1)

It doesnt work.... But still thanks for your help

LittleZ360

My first thoughts would be to put a push down (a friend) on the window with a little pressure or push up on the window and try actuating the window motor again and feel for any engagement or disengagement, see if the sound changes at all.
I'm not sure what that will tell you, I guess I'm just curious.

If you plan on doing this repair yourself I would use the shop manual which you could find here http://foxed.ca
go to the Rx8 pdf.
then the "body and accessories" section
and then the "sunroof" section
From what it looks like, any mechanical troubleshooting might require the removal of the headliner... doesn't seem like much fun.

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

You have to pull the headliner to replace the motor anyway. It's not an outrageously difficult job, but quite time consuming. Follow the manual, since the steps aren't always obvious. Disconnect the battery to avoid firing an airbag by mistake though! Sounds like it could also be a relay problem. There are a couple sunroof related TSB's listed in this thread https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/tsbs-technical-service-bulletins-183774/

yale02

iTrader: (16)

^ +1 Pulling the headliner is not hard at all, but work slowly to avoid putting a crease in it. It is actually fairly stiff but needs to be handled with care.

yushen1989

iTrader: (1)

Well, thanks, I will do some reading and try to make it thanks for your suggestion

yushen1989

iTrader: (1)

Thank you, it worthy to read, i will read through it and decide whether it is possible for a noob to fix it by myself. Thanks

yushen1989

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for your advice

yushen1989

iTrader: (1)

I have pulled out the headlighter, but i want to make sure the problem is the motor not circuit before I purchase a used one Will get a milliammeter and SUNROOF MOTOR INSPECTION first. Thanks

yushen1989

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the link, I found SUNROOF MOTOR INSPECTION which will help me to ensure whether the problem is motor.

LittleZ360

You got it. Be sure to let us know how this turns out.

mcnabc

I have a similar problem, but my roof will not close. The plastic strap/track is the problem. But it seems you cannot buy just the track you need to buy the motor as well. I decided to buy a used system from a wrecked car. Much easier to change. And less expensive.

Mazurfer

Yale.....................don't you still have a sunroof motor still for sale?

yale02

iTrader: (16)

Yes I do.

USAFPilot11

iTrader: (5)

Not to take away from this guy's thread, but this is the only Sunroof problem thread I could find. I'll make a new one if you guys want me too.

A few weeks ago I had the bright idea to regrease my sunroof tracks because 1) they are extremely dirty and 2) the sunroof would sort of stutter once it got to about 3/4 of the way retracted and did the same thing in the same section on the way to close. It would also make a clicking noise like a part was loose while I was idling. I could stop this noise by stabilizing the sunroof with my hand.

So I regreased the track and rubber seal around the sunroof window. It worked wonderfully for a few days, though still seemed to stutter in the same section but a little less. Then I tried to open it one day and it didn't open. The motor would try but it was stuck. I can get it open by applying additional pressure with my hand to open it.

From my assessment, I either used the wrong grease or hurt the rubber binding of the sunroof window to where it sticks to the car frame and the motor is not strong enough to break the seal without additional pressure.

Does anyone have any thoughts of what to do? I tried to look for that rubber binding to replace it but I have not been able to find a part number or anything.

The type of grease I used was: Coastal All-Purpose EP Grease

Thanks!

binsinLOL

same thing happened to me. My rx8 Shinka sat an got sun beat for 2 years til I revived it. My sunroof did the same. I may have used the wrong grease or burnt out the motor. I'll try to update what happened

Lukosisp

Maybe you can tell, where I can find sunroof relay, because I only find fuses related to it