Trouble Shooting Erratic Sun Roof Operation

This is what warranties are for. Talk to his boss. If that doesn't work, continue up the ladder.

The mechanic sure can switch out parts, he just hasn't been told to do it by the right person yet.

He's just looking for a way to get you through until the warranty runs out.

This is also probably coming from above.

If the vehicle wasn't under warranty, they would happily be writing you up an estimate for a complete replacement.

Not quite sure what you mean by "This is what warranties are for." The mechanic told me the protocol with the warranty provider does not allow them to just guess an (check) replace. He said if we put it in (the module) and it doesn't fix it we bought it.

I will talk to his boss if need be, however at this time I'll give him some time to research the problem a bit.

I agree but I don't want him pulling the headliner and find out it is the module. Obviously then the module should be tried first.

Thanks

Oh, I was thinking you had an extended warranty from the original dealer and you were dealing with the dealership.

It is an extended warranty from the original dealership and I am dealing with the same, but when we extended our warranty it went to National, I don't know why and never thought to check it was our first new car warranty. You are right about the warranty though, the mechanic said if it was through the dealership he had more flexibility in swapping parts.

A lot of these extended warranties are no longer "factory" warranties and are farmed out to third party companies. I'm sure the reason for not swapping out parts can be found somewhere in the small print. I was just trying to help out.

The cause could be lots of things.....moisture, module, moter, faulty ground, bad switch, etc.

I had a similar issue on my Honda CRX. Turned out the battery was weak and the sun roof would be balky even with the engine running. So I suggest have the battery & alternator checked for output.

Funny, I was thinking that exact same thing when I was driving home last night! Then I remembered that the battery was replaced last year at the dealer and has subsequently been checked on the oil changes i.e. services and that was only last month. It is something easy enough to double check. Will do.

The other thing I forgot to mention is that the mechanic said something about reinitializing/reteaching the module? start and stop points of the sunroof.

Thanks

There should be a rating for the power consumption of the motor. Connect an amp meter in line with the power supply to the sunroof. If the motor is drawing too much power, replace it or allow it to move more freely. If within specs, and it does not function correctly, replace the mod.

(Welcome to the insanity)

Right! That's what I was thinking as well. I thought this would be simple enough. I think the mechanic has not dealt with many of these problems before. Or something? In his defense I have to say that the first time I brought it to them they could not get it to act up, but he still could have checked the amp draw to get a feel for how much force was being required to open the roof.

I will mention this when I call today.

Thank you.

Ask the technical adviser the amp draw BEFORE the readings are taken. You might even be able to do the test without having to go there.

my dad had a 1990 nissan maxima with the power moon / sunroof. after maybe 5 years old,every few years he would shim part of the mechanism,and it would be fine for 2 years,then he would do it again. not sure how he knew to do this,but i will ask him. also try searching on the mercury mountaineer forums. chances are many others have had the same problem.

Thanks Darren,

I'm taking it in this Monday for repair. The dealer has contacted the engineers and the mechanic will be checking for some loose pin connections and H2O in the module. After that, they suggest replacing the motor. I hope it's not the track, that's the only repair the warranty wont cover!

I haven't thought a bought a forum. Will do.

Thank you.

Sunroof problem diagnosed:the mechanic found high amp readings from the motor and it will be replaced Thursday.

Thanks all...