Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Different Sunroof Problem

Last week I went to close my sunroof and it wouldn't tilt back down. Hopped on here, read all sorts of information about the plastic gear against the metal worm gear. Removed the motor assembly and inspected the gear, wasn't melted or anything. Just after that I tipped the assembly and the plastic gears fell onto the table.

I put everything back together and now the sunroof opens and closes (tilt function is slow to open and close though), but there isn't a pause between when the glass is tilted down and when it starts sliding back. I'm sure it's a timing issue, but not sure what could be out of time. The three pieces that fell out was the big white gear, the other white gear with the small pedistal, and the small black gear with the little notches. Is there another part I misplaced? Any suggestions / ideas?

Thanks!

Tim
'00 SVT

Did you see how everything was put together before the gears came out? It sounds like the flat gear with the oblong holes is out of position. it goes under the plastic gear extension socket that fits on the metal crank. Make sure you cycle the motor to the closed position before you re-install it on the crank, which is also in the closed position. Otherwise, the moonroof might have problems like stopping in the middle of opening, not tilting right, and so on.

Ahhh, I figured it out. Apparently when I tipped the motor over and everything fell out, the big red gear rolled under something and that is what I was missing. Got the red gear, put it in it's place and now the motor starts and stops as it should. I manually cranked the window to the closed position, set the motor to the closed window position and now it works great. I just got to get some grease to redo the rails.
Thanks!

Tim
'00 SVT

Tim...

You said you "manually" cranked the top closed. How did you do it? Is there a manual crank gear bypassing the electrical. I know some Honda Civics have a manual close feature that over rides the electrical sunroof.

Do we have this on Contours?

We have the metal crank hub, but you have to find something to rotate it. I used a small pair of vice grips, but you could buy a window crank from an auto parts store that would work. The problem would be finding one that matched the gear. Just be careful not to damage the ridges. Or, you could get a crank from one of the uk people who have upgraded to the ghia power motor option, and make it look factory... to remove your motor problems all together.