1. Sunroof clicking but only moves one inch, and 2. Cleaning door ajar sensor

[rickytan456]

Hi, sunroof motor seems fine but when I hold the switch it moves back about an inch then makes a loud repetitive clicking. Tried searching but this forum has the worst search tool I have ever encountered on any forum. Am I correct in assuming this is a snapped rubber pulley/belt or something? Should I scavenge the junkyard for another one from a celica/corolla or just buy it new? I would prefer not to take off headliner etc just to diagnose the problem.

Also my passenger side door ajar sensor (for dome light) sticks about half the time, if I want to clean it up/lube it does the rubber cover just pop right off?


Edit also popping a white LED into the ashtray bulb since mine has always been burnt out. Just curious as to whether the ashtray bulb is always on when the cluster/hvac lights are on, or if it only comes on when the tray is open?

[rickytan456]

Just returned from the junkyard and got a glass pop up roof from an SR5 and I'll be installing that instead. The brand is TERRA. Any tips for the installation?

[SCT]

Not sure about the sunroof. But if it uses a gear like window motors do, the teeth are probably worn on the gear and just jumps. Causing a repetitive clicking noise.

Haven't taken my ajar sensors off yet. They stick, too. So not sure if the rubber comes off.

Ashtray, the light stays on whenever you have the other lights on for the dash.

[rickytan456]

No wonder the bulb was burnt out then haha. Good thing it's easy to change.

Just checked and the plunger boot pops off fairly easily, I'll clean it up, use some canned air on it, then lube it up.

Anyone got a link to how to remove the headliner? I was trying at the junkyard and couldn't figure out how to get off the a pillar cover (cracked one in half) I ended up just ripping it all off and wrecking it to get at the sunroof.

[SuperRA]

Originally Posted by rickytan456

No wonder the bulb was burnt out then haha. Good thing it's easy to change.

Just checked and the plunger boot pops off fairly easily, I'll clean it up, use some canned air on it, then lube it up.

Anyone got a link to how to remove the headliner? I was trying at the junkyard and couldn't figure out how to get off the a pillar cover (cracked one in half) I ended up just ripping it all off and wrecking it to get at the sunroof.

Pull the A-pillar panel straight out starting at the top and the bottom hooks in. I think there are two or three tabs that push into a biting fastener in the metal. I don't have a better way of describing it than biting. The other panels are similar, I think the C-pillar panel has at least one screw.

[rickytan456]

Thanks for the tips guys, practiced removing the headliner at the junkyard, it's a lot more straightforward than I thought.

The glass popup sunroof doesn't fit, turns out they just sawed a hole in the roof. So I guess I'll have to fix the motor. At the junkyard I removed the power roof and the tray that holds it , along with the motor etc...Looks like a decent weight savings could be had by switching it to a manual roof, but it's so much trouble I don't think I'll bother.


The sunroof motor does have a gear that spins to drive the motor. Now I have to find a solution to the original problem...If anyone has had this problem please post up some info

[SuperRA]

My guess is that if the sunroof consistently stops at a certain position, then its most likely the notched cable that is stripped rather than the gear.