95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Sunroof not fully closing

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Old Mar 26, 2020 | 07:47 AM
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From: Upstate SC
Sunroof not fully closing

So apparently the motor or track is messed up on my 4Runner. The sunroof has sat like this for a bit but I want to fix it, even if that means getting it in place, disconnecting the motor, and cutting custom wood blocks and siliconing it all in place so it cannot drop back out of position. Hopefully it’s something easy and I won’t have to go that route.



Front is left side as you look at it
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Old Mar 26, 2020 | 07:52 AM
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This moon room is th e only one I’ve ever owned that didn’t have a manual option with a hex key or torx drive. Hmm.

Edited to add that I pulled the controls down from the headliner, and the motor seems to be seized or the track is really binding. It only tried to engage for a second or so each way before it cuts off.

Last edited by Zcostilla; Mar 26, 2020 at 08:50 AM.
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Old Mar 26, 2020 | 11:54 AM
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UPDATE: I got the headliner partially lowered and pulled the motor and tested it out of the mounts, and the motor is absolutely fine. I pressed the slide button very slightly and put the motor in place, hoping it was just an issue where the drive gears were not aligned with the motor timer, and this would trick the sunroof into closing fully. Turns out the drive gear that actually moves the window must be frozen up.

So does anyone know how to make this work without completely removing the sunroof?
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Old Mar 27, 2020 | 09:36 AM
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I replaced my sunroof a few years ago because it wouldn’t work and then developed a leak.

i didn’t find anything “serviceable” about it and replaced the unit as a whole. Glass, motor, tracks, and frame.
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Old Mar 27, 2020 | 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted by fierohink
I replaced my sunroof a few years ago because it wouldn’t work and then developed a leak.

i didn’t find anything “serviceable” about it and replaced the unit as a whole. Glass, motor, tracks, and frame.
How much did the entire assembly cost you?
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Old Mar 27, 2020 | 09:43 AM
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Update: it’s definitely the worm gear. I have no idea how to get this to close and seal. I don’t care if it never opens again.
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Old Mar 27, 2020 | 09:53 AM
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Technically nothing. I Was losing a ‘97 to frame rot and had purchased a ‘99 with a bad sunroof. So I swapped the ‘97 to the ‘99.

if you look thru my build-up thread I took some pics. It’s a total PITA because to do it right you have to drop the headliner and that means taking ALL the trim panels out.
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Old Mar 27, 2020 | 02:03 PM
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I gave up. Going to leave the window where it is and seal it really good. I didn’t install the motor, so going to list it in the classified area.
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Old Mar 28, 2020 | 06:53 AM
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The motor does have alignment marks on it, so if it was removed you would want those aligned when fully closed. If you go to the FSM->Body Mechanical->Sliding Roof: Disassembly, you will se what I'm referring to, and if you go to Sliding Roof: Adjustment linked below hopefully you will be able to get it close* enough to close, it looks like its close*, maybe it jammed up and shifted the adjustments of the guide rail, it shows alignment marks for the guide rail in this section aswell.

http://www.teamtoyota4x4.org/archivi...liroo/adju.pdf
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Old Mar 28, 2020 | 02:55 PM
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This video goes over your exact problem, I would probably buy new cables in this case, they might still be available OEM, bare with him to the very end, unfortunately the video doesn't show you everything, he is really detailed with his descriptions though. Also at the end he decided that the window should be in the position yours is in when he aligns the motor, but it could have been something else he was doing to cause this aswell, like sun roof alignment.

Last edited by Malcolm99; Mar 28, 2020 at 02:58 PM.
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Old Mar 28, 2020 | 03:22 PM
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It’s raining today, it if it’s dry tomorrow I’ll give it another go. Half tempted to silicone it as is and put some flex tape over it, lol.
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Old Apr 1, 2020 | 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Malcolm99
This video goes over your exact problem, I would probably buy new cables in this case, they might still be available OEM, bare with him to the very end, unfortunately the video doesn't show you everything, he is really detailed with his descriptions though. Also at the end he decided that the window should be in the position yours is in when he aligns the motor, but it could have been something else he was doing to cause this aswell, like sun roof alignment.
Thanks for the tips and the link to the video. I can’t seem to get everything going to pull the entire headliner, so I’ll giving up. Going to RTV the edges of the window and maybe hit it with some clear flex seal tape. It will look hokey, but it will work. I don’t like sunroofs on vehicles, so I wish it wasn’t even there. Time to list the motor in the classifieds.
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