GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Power Sunroof System Components

The power sunroof system consists of the following components:

    • Sunroof module
    • Sunroof motor with limit switch
    • Sunroof switch
    • Sunroof glass, tilt/slide type, with glass sliding between roof and headliner
    • Sunshade
    • Rail and track assembly upon which the sunroof glass rides
    • Sunroof system fuse: RAP 20 A fuse
    • Ground G401

Power Sunroof Operation

The power sunroof will operate with the ignition switch turned to Accessory or RUN. Once the ignition switch is turned to OFF the sunroof will continue to operate until any door is open or when the Retained Accessory Power (RAP) has timed out. For a description and operation of the RAP operation, refer to Retained Accessory Power (RAP) Description and Operation in Retained Accessory Power.

Use the multifunction type sunroof switch, located in the front center of the headliner, to command the sunroof to :

    • Express open
    • Slide fully open
    • Vent fully open
    • Partially open in either slide or vent mode
    • Fully closed (flush with the vehicle roof)

Express Open

The express open will only operate with the sunroof in the fully closed or partially open position. To express open the sunroof glass, momentarily press the sunroof switch to the second rearward position once. This will apply the sunroof switch low reference circuit to both the sunroof switch express signal circuit and to the sunroof switch open signal circuit (12 volt references) inputs, pulling the them to 0 volts momentarily. The momentary transition inputs to the sunroof module indicates an express open request. Once the express open has been initiated, the sunroof module will drive the motor in the open direction, slightly lowering the rear edge of the sunroof glass, then sliding open with the sunshade, allowing the wind deflector to raise upward. The sunroof glass will continue to express open until:

    • The sunroof glass reaches a predetermined (nearly full open) comfort stop position controlled by the limit switch.
    • Activation of the sunroof switch (in any direction) to stop the sunroof glass in a desired position other than the express open (comfort stop) position.
    • Motor stall is sensed because the sunroof glass is being obstructed.
    • The operation time-out expires, 15 seconds after the initiation of the express open feature has been requested.

To Open

Opening the sunroof can be done from any position between fully closed and partially open. To open the sunroof glass, press and hold the sunroof switch to the first rearward position. This will apply the sunroof switch low reference circuit to the sunroof switch open vent signal circuit (12 volt reference) input, pulling the reference voltage to 0 volts. The constant low (0 volts) input to the sunroof module indicates an open request. Once the open has been initiated, the sunroof module will drive the motor in the open direction, slightly lowering the rear edge of the sunroof glass, then sliding open with the sunshade, allowing the wind deflector to raise upward. The sunroof glass will continue to open until the sunroof motion is terminated by either:

    • Motor stall is sensed because the sunroof has reached its limit of travel or due to an obstruction.
    • Releasing of the sunroof switch. The sunroof may be left in any position between fully open and fully closed.
    • The operation time-out expires, 15 seconds after the initiation of the express open feature had been commanded.

To Vent Open

Opening the sunroof glass, to the vent position, can be done when it is between fully closed and full vent. Press and hold the sunroof switch upward. This will apply the sunroof switch low reference circuit to the sunroof switch open vent signal circuit. Holding the sunroof switch in the vent position will cause the sunroof switch open vent signal circuit (12 volt reference) input to be pulled to 0 volts. The constant low input to the sunroof module indicates a vent request. Once the vent request has been initiated, the sunroof module will drive the motor in the closed direction (to vent position) until the sunroof motion is terminated by either:

    • Motor stall is sensed because the sunroof has reached its limit of travel.
    • Releasing the sunroof switch.

Closing to the Fully Closed Position

To close the power sunroof from the following positions:

    • Open position, push and hold the sunroof switch forward.
    • Vent position, pull and hold downward the sunroof switch.

Holding the sunroof switch to the closed position will apply the sunroof switch low reference circuit to both the sunroof switch open signal and sunroof switch open vent signal circuits. Holding the sunroof switch to the closed position will cause the sunroof switch open signal and sunroof switch open vent signal circuits (12 volt references) to be pulled to 0 volts. The constant low inputs to the sunroof module indicates a close request. As the close request has been initiated, the sunroof module will drive the motor to the closed position until the limit switch closes, indicating a flush close position. As the sunroof glass nears the closed position, the wind deflector will retract, and the rear sunroof glass will raise slightly, then seats to flush with the roof panel. To close the sunshade, this will have to be manually slid closed.

Sunroof Motor

The sunroof has a 12 volt reversible DC motor, gear train and a limit switch. When the motor is not operating both circuits are at ground potential. When the motor drives the sunroof glass in the open direction (from the vent position to the open position), the following occurs:

    • Voltage is supplied to the sunroof motor open control circuit.
    • Ground is maintained to the sunroof motor close control circuit.

When the motor drives the sunroof in the closed direction (from the open position to the vent position), the following occurs:

    • Voltage is supplied to the sunroof motor close control circuit.
    • Ground is maintained to the sunroof motor open control circuit.

Limit Switch

The limit switch is part of the sunroof motor assembly and is to signal the sunroof module when the sunroof glass is closed flush with the roof or when it reaches the comfort stop during the express open feature.

As the limit switch closes, the sunroof limit switch low reference circuit is applied to the sunroof limit switch soft stop signal circuit, pulling the 12 volt reference down to 0 volts. The 0 volts at the sunroof limit switch soft stop signal input indicates that the sunroof glass has either reached the flush close or the comfort stop position and that the voltage will be removed from the motor control circuits.