Sunroof will not open. Motor Trying.

[rhodes2010]

Looked for this but mostly found references to sunroof not closing.

The sunroof has never worked for us. So - not like it was working then stopped.
Have no history on this car.

Switch activates sunroof and it jerks back to open but does not lift.
Jerks forward to seat tightly.

Left and right cable tubes flex, so I think both cables are there and trying.

Removed glass to inspect and do not see damage or debris.

Tomorrow I will remove motor and attempt to remove and replace cables and
see if I can get it all sliding without motor.

Looking for anyone that has fixed a no open sunroof before.

The sunroof Control Module is interesting to me. From what I read on the
replace cables post, this thing remembers the full open and full close positions.
I am curious if it can have memory problems.

Thanks all.

Progress report:

Removed sunroof motor (assembly still attached to car).
Thinking I could inspect and move the cables and rails by hand to see what was up.

I connected motor to switch and circuit and motor operates in both directions
as espected. But I will open it to lubricate as it seems a tiny bit rough.

Now to the cables: The drivers side cable slides, with much effort , but it slides.

The passenger side cable seems absolutely frozen. Really, really stuck.

If no one has any ideas I will remove the sunroof assembly and attempt to
get some lubricant into the cable tube (PB blaster, WD-40, etc..).

Maybe years of no use caused it to fuse/sieze in the tube.
This car spent several years near a beach community never garaged.
Salty air does a lot of damage.

Surprising as everything we disassemble is so clean.
But this cable refuses to move.

Anyone have an idea how to get this one cable to move ?

 

[rhodes2010]

Update: removing the cables and cable housings from the sunroof assembly I was able to
free up the drivers side cable and get it clean and lubed.

The passenger side cable is frozen solid.

I ordered a new cable and used some stainless steel tube to fabricate
a replacement passenger side tube. The originals are copper, and
that is available, but I will try the stainless first.

Otherwise this previously non working sunroof is going to be just fine.