A sunroof can be simply described as the movable panel which is present at the ceiling of the car. It allows light and fresh air to enter the car. They might be manually operated or automated (motor-driven). They come in different shapes, styles, and sizes. Sunroofs provide us extra light and ventilation when the weather is nice.
Below there is some common problem regarding why the sunroof wont close your car?
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Why The Sunroof wont Close?
There are several different versions of sunroofs mostly open and close automatically with the touch of a button. If your sunroof suddenly becomes stuck open, and it’s rainy or cold outside, you’ve got a major problem. The main causes of a stuck sunroof are a lack of power and debris stuck in the sunroof’s tracks.
1. Sunroof Leaks
The most common problem of sunroof wont close can be a disaster to deal with. Because of a clog on the drain of the sunroof or wear and tear of rubber seals. Both cases are not that costly to get fixed but they can cause some serious damage to the interior of your car if water seeps into critical spots.
2. Glass Scratch
The sunroof glasses are quite heavy-duty and won’t give up that easily but it’s still glass. It might be tough but no glass is unbreakable. When it breaks it is just another thing to get fixed. A broken sunroof glass will not have a tint thus allowing the car to get hotter during summer and colder during winter. In case the glass is significantly cracked or broken it will mess up the aerodynamics of your car making it use more fuel.
3. Electrical Issues
The main reason for the sunroof wont close is probably a dead motor, a faulty switch, or also a broken fuse. A non-functioning sunroof, while rain is about to pour, is not a situation someone wants to find themselves in. It is easy to find and fix the fuse but it’s better to leave the work to experts mechanics and not cause more damage while trying by yourself.
The motor faults are rare but they are in no way cheap to fix.
4. Mechanical Issues
Your car could have a fully functioning motor but the sunroof might still not close completely. Because of dirt or junk getting stuck in the gears operating the sunroof. You can solve the problem yourself by taking out the glass panel and checking the gears.
If you can’t fix it, taking it to a car repair shop is probably the best idea.
5. Sunroof Shattering
It is as bad as it sounds but the only good thing is that it’s quite rare. There is still no issue about the reason for this happening but most point towards the issue with the glass itself. Small cracks can sabotage the stability of the glass and can cause it to spontaneously shatter. It sounds almost impossible but this has happened a lot of times.
6. Rattling While Driving
This is another not-so-common reason sunroof wont close but it’s a problem nonetheless. You are driving along the road with some peace and suddenly the sunroof decides that it is now going to violently rattle. This issue is more annoying than an actual problem.
To fix it you simply need to lubricate the end of the sunroof. In case you did it and it’s still rattling there might be something else causing the problem like an out of alignment sunroof glass. At that point, it’s better to get it checked in a repair shop or from experts mechanics.
How To Fix The Sunroof Of Your Car?
Since we are not experts mechanics or glass experts so we always have to wear safety gloves by doing this process
1. Lift Arm Access
Remove the glass from the sunroof to access the lift arms. The guides that the lift arms follow may need to be pushed forward if they have become stuck in the open position.
Use a screwdriver to push the guides forward so that the lift arms can fully close. Replace the glass once the lift arms are moving properly.
2. Replace The J Plate
Lift the sunroof cable as it may have skidded into the path of the guides and lift arm. You will need to remove the J plate on the sunroof to access and resit the sunroof cable. Replace the J plate and test that the lift arms move fully.
3. Motor Testing
Ensure that the sunroof motor is running properly. In case there is no power to the motor, the sunroof will remain in the open position. Test the motor by inserting a screwdriver into the center of the motor at the nylon brushing.
Turn and push on the screwdriver to work the motor manually. If you can open and close the sunroof manually, then the motor is broken and needs to be replaced.
4. Sunroof Wiring
Check the sunroof wiring as a short circuit can cause it to stop working. Test the sunroof switch and wires using a multimeter. If there is no resistance, then the wiring is fine. If there is high resistance, however, then there is a short circuit and the wires must be replaced.
5. Cleaning The Sunroof
Clean the sunroof of your car as dirt and debris can cause the sunroof to become stuck open. You should regularly clean your sunroof tracks so that the debris doesn’t build up in the tracks.
If too much debris builds up, this can eventually damage the sunroof cables, which are very difficult to fix.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace The Sunroof?
The average cost to replace a sunroof ranges from approximately varies between 250$ to 2000$. This includes parts and labor costs. The exact fee depends on the exact size of the sunroof to be installed and the materials used. The make and model of the vehicle will also affect the cost because of any special requirements or modifications needed to make the sunroof fit and operate correctly.
If you repair the sunroof by yourself it one take the cost of the part. And the cost varied between 100$ to 250$.
Conclusion
There are some easy fixes regarding problems with sunroofs. Try them out, do not be scared. Insurance may or may not cover your sunroof depending on the individual situation, what insurance you have and how the damage was caused to the sunroof in the first place.
But there is an outcome to every fixing problem. If your judgment says it can be done, do it by yourself. Otherwise, there is always a mechanic around the corner.
