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Sunroof Not Operating Properly - keywords alignment inop inoperative int intermittent open operation roof stuck run

Subject: Sunroof Not Operating Properly

Models:1999-2005 Pontiac Grand-Am
1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero



The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:

These vehicles may exhibit one or more of the following conditions:

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Glass may be skewed.

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Glass from Vent to close, one side will drop before the other side.

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When closing sunroof from vent, glass may reverse direction.

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Glass will not close.

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Glass will stop at wrong location.

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Glass will over travel open position and stall the motor.

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Glass will over travel close position and stall the motor.

Recommendation/Instructions:

Solution 1: Re-Time Motor

Follow Re-initialization Procedure below

Solution 2: Re-Time Module

Parallel positioning of the window track guides (lift mechanism) and cable is critical to proper function of the system. If the guides are misaligned, do the following:

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Removed headliner.

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Remove motor (3 screws)

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Removed glass (6 screws).

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Set timing by manually sliding the mechanism forward in the track until hit hard stop, now push cam assy forward until timing hole in the cam assy (top front corner) is aligned with the timing hole in the lifter arm (front glass attachment).A pin can be temporarily used in the holes to hold the position while installing drive motor.

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Repeat this on the opposite side. Both mechanisms will now be set in the closed position (Ref eSI Doc Number 881695 for pin location and position).

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Reattach motor (3 screws - 3.5N max torque).

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Reattach harness

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Follow Re-initialization procedure to time the motor.

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Cycle module

If sunroof does not function properly and guides are parallel, replace motor and follow Initialization Procedure below, following the Re-Initialization Procedure.

Re-Initialization Procedure:

(For motor re-timing or re-installation)

Perform the Re-initialization/teach procedure any time that the sunroof motor is removed from the sunroof. Ensure that the electrical harness on the headliner is connected to the sunroof.

  1. Press the sunroof switch to the close position until the window stops at the front soft stop in the fully closed position. Release switch then press close position again and hold for 13 seconds or greater. The Sunroof will then stall at the hard stop, and move back slightly to the soft stop position. Release the button. (This is the Re-initialization portion.)
  2. Within 6 seconds, press and hold the close switch again. After 3 more seconds, the sunroof window will move toward the full open position. (This is the teach portion.)
  3. Continue holding the switch until the sunroof window moves back to close and stops at the closed position. Release the button. The Re-initialization/teach procedure is complete.
  4. Verify the operation of the sunroof The Re-initialization/teach procedure is not completed if one of the following events occurs before the initialization cycle is done:
  5. • The sunroof switch is not held in the close position.
    • Ignition and/or Battery power has been removed.
    • Glass Panel has not reached its close position.

If the Re-initialization procedure is not carried out completely, it has to be started again.

Initialization Procedure (For 1st time motor installation, in service):

Note:  Perform the initialization/teach procedure any time that a new sunroof motor is installed into the sunroof. Ensure that the electrical harness on the headliner is connected to the sunroof.

  1. Press the sunroof switch to the close position until the window stalls at the front hard stop in the fully close position, and then moves slightly to the soft stop position. Release the button. (This is the initialization portion.)
  2. Within 6 seconds, press and hold the close switch again. After 3 more seconds, the sunroof window will move toward the open position. (This is the teach portion.)
  3. Continue holding the switch until the sunroof window moves back to close and stops at the closed position. Release the button. The initialization/teach procedure is complete.
  4. Verify the operation of the sunroof

The initialization/teach procedure is not completed if one of the following events occurs before the initialization cycle is done:

   • 

The sunroof switch is not held in the close position.

   • 

Ignition and/or Battery power has been removed.

   • 

Glass Panel has not reached its close position.

If the initialization procedure is not carried out completely, it has to be started again.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.