Sunroof broke in vent mode

[Himzka]

Hello all,

Does anyone have any experience with a broken sunroof?
I found this forum trying to find solutions to my problem but no luck so far.
I just bought a used 2012 Limited EL two weeks ago and the sunroof made a loud pop and got stuck open in vent mode when I was trying to close. A tiny piece of plastic broke off something but I'm not sure what and now it wont close.

If anyone knows of a way to at least manually close the sunroof I'd appreciate the help very much. I haven't even made my first payment on the car and I'm already trying to fix things... not a good feeling :/

Thank you for reading this post.

 

[stamp11127]

Welcome to the site.

You may want to Google how to manually close the sunroof or check an online owners manual on how to close it.

 

[Himzka]

The manual is the first place I checked and it doesn't say anything about that.
I also did a ton of research on google and I couldn't find anything on it, which makes me think that its not accessible to the user.
This post was my last resort :/

 

[Trainmaster]

Here's some info but no quick fix:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1479706-sunroof-stuck-in-vent-mode.html

Your truck's basically the same as an F150, so you may find some help on those forums and searches.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

The manual is the first place I checked and it doesn't say anything about that.
I also did a ton of research on google and I couldn't find anything on it, which makes me think that its not accessible to the user.
This post was my last resort :/

PM me your email address and I'll send you some excerpts from the 2011 Service Manual in a PDF. Should be the same for a 2012.

 

[Himzka]

Thanks Manuporshutup! I pm'd you.

For the record if anyone else has this problem and is trying to force close the sunroof, this is what I just figured out:

- I was able to manually close the sunroof by taking off the 4 torx screws that secure the glass to the arms. There are two on the driver side and two on the passenger side.
- Once screws are out simply pull the glass up, and you should be able to see and access the arms that tilt up/down and the mechanism that slides back and forward to lift the arms.
- Disengage the arms from the metal pieces that attach to the rails by pulling it sideways and you should be able to push the arm down.
- Replace the glass and put the four torx screws back, leveling the glass with the roofline before tightening the screws.

That way you can buy some time for saving the money for this very expensive repair or do it yourself without having to fear the rain.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

Np. PDF sent.

 

[powerboatr]

my 2013 f150 did this, it ate a few plastic pieces, and jammed a safety switch, we did the similar trick to close it so i could get to the shop
it was a huge event to change it out. practically the entire interior was removed, seats, console, head liner, etc. the system is HUGE.
took the tech 3 days to swap out the old with a new track system.

 

[Plati]

I will NEVER own a vehicle with a sunroof

 

[Flexpedition]

Can you see exactly what broke? The motor and cables are rare to fail, leaving the lift arms and cam brackets. Lots of plastic here.

Sunroofdoctor.com (and others) have kits of replacement parts - new lift arms, cam brackets and trough guides - complete kit, about $100 - $125. I've not done one, but many have seen a few well documented on F150 sites.

http://sunroofdoctor.3dcartstores.c...nF150F250F350F450-Sunroof-Repair-Kit_p_8.html

You'll be out some time but not much money. There is a hour + youtube on the above link documenting each step if interested.

 

[1955moose]

All that for some rain to drop on your noggin. Got to be at least 6 hours minimum if you have to yank the headliner and seats. Why do the seats have to be removed to do the roof though. Headliner I understand, I would think you could work around the seat part.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[powerboatr]

i think the seat removal is so the tech can not screw them up climbing in and out and or drop a greasy track.??

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

All that for some rain to drop on your noggin. Got to be at least 6 hours minimum if you have to yank the headliner and seats. Why do the seats have to be removed to do the roof though. Headliner I understand, I would think you could work around the seat part.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

They don't need to be removed. Service manual only indicates removal of the headliner. We can only guess why that one shop removed them.

 

[Himzka]

Yeah Flexpedition, I can see what broke. Its this little plastic thing that has one peg on one side and two on the other, they fit inside the metal piece that slides up and down the track. Both sides have broken pieces but it was kinda working and making clicking sounds sometimes when switching between vent mode and open sunroof till the passenger side one snapped. Once I removed the glass panel I could see very well. I just wonder if theres a way to A) purchase only those little plastic mounts, and B) be able to slide those mounts back in the rail without the massive work that is accessing the sunroof cassette from the headliner.

 

[Dbdors]

I have had the same problem for a couple of years on a 2012. Some times I push the wrong button to open the rear windows and the roof pops up. I just lift it up, and use a flat screwdriver to slide the two track out of the way and the window drops back down.

I rally don't want to spend the time or pay some one $1500 to repair (quote I got from an independent shop). My Ford shop didn't even want to look at it. They said I wont like the price so I should take it to an independent shop.

I must say that I am really disappointed in Ford. This is my second Expi. 2003 and now 2012. Things like this where it seems lots of vehicles (Expi and F150, etc) have the same issue and still having blend door actuator issues for over 15 years of ownership, says that there are a lot of inherent issues.

 

[bobmbx]

Yeah Flexpedition, I can see what broke. Its this little plastic thing that has one peg on one side and two on the other, they fit inside the metal piece that slides up and down the track. Both sides have broken pieces but it was kinda working and making clicking sounds sometimes when switching between vent mode and open sunroof till the passenger side one snapped. Once I removed the glass panel I could see very well. I just wonder if theres a way to A) purchase only those little plastic mounts, and B) be able to slide those mounts back in the rail without the massive work that is accessing the sunroof cassette from the headliner.

Junk yard, baby.

 

[powerboatr]

They don't need to be removed. Service manual only indicates removal of the headliner. We can only guess why that one shop removed them.

2013 f150 book does state very clearly to remove seats, console and headliner. i am sure expy may be different, but yes they removed all the seats and console

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

2013 f150 book does state very clearly to remove seats, console and headliner. i am sure expy may be different, but yes they removed all the seats and console

2010-11 F150 seat removal is not indicated. 2013 is the same gen, so I would be surprised if the service manual says to remove it. I don't doubt they did it; I just question whether the service manual indicates that they needed to do so. I'm not really concerned either way though as I will never own an F150.

2010-11 F150:

Roof Opening Panel Frame
Removal and Installation

NOTE: The roof opening panel motor must be initialized when repairs are carried out on any part of the roof opening panel, including: whenever the roof opening panel motor has been removed from the roof opening panel assembly, a new roof opening panel motor has been installed or when a new roof opening panel frame has been installed. For additional information, refer to Roof Opening Panel Motor Initialization in this section.

1. Remove the roof opening panel air deflector. For additional information, refer to Air Deflector in this section.

1. Remove the roof opening panel shield. For additional information, refer to Roof Opening Panel Shield in this section.

1. Remove the overhead console. For additional information, refer to Section 501-12 .

1. Lower the headliner. For additional information, refer to Section 501-05 .
   • Remove the A-pillar, B-pillar and C-pillar (if equipped) trim panels.
   • Remove the LH and RH sun visors and clips.
   • If equipped, remove the 3 headliner pin-type retainers.
   • If equipped, remove the 2 headliner garment hooks.
   • Disconnect the front and rear headliner electrical connectors.

1. NOTE: Make sure the drain hoses are not kinked during installation.
   
   Disconnect the 2 roof opening panel front drain hoses from the frame.

1. NOTE: Make sure the drain hoses are not kinked during installation.
   
   Disconnect the 2 roof opening panel rear drain hoses from the frame.

1. Remove the 4 roof opening panel frame-to-B-pillar bolts.
   • To install, tighten to 23 Nm (17 lb-ft).

1. NOTICE: To avoid damage to the roof opening panel frame, be sure to support the frame when removing the mounting bolts.
   
   Remove the 10 roof opening panel frame mounting bolts.
   • To install, tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).

1. Remove the roof opening panel frame.

1. NOTE: If installing a new roof opening panel frame, transfer parts as necessary from the existing roof opening panel assembly.
   
   To install, reverse the removal procedure.
   • Align the roof opening panel. For additional information, refer to Roof Opening Panel Alignment in this section.
   • Initialize the roof opening panel motor. For additional information, refer to Roof Opening Panel Motor Initialization in this section.

 

[bloodhound]

I had mine replaced in my 2014. The dealer price was $2800, but due to some owed favors it got done for $1700. Now, as I predicted, my headliner is squeaking, and directly over my head. I hate sunroofs!!

 

[jln815]

My husband and I just fixed the sunroof on our 2010 el limited about 6 months ago . We got our kit through sunroof doctor for $109 plus shipping, looks like it would be the same kit for your 2012. We removed the seats before removing the headliner - we took it down completely so not having the seats in made it easier to get it out of the vehicle. We used a video we found on youtube that made it much easier but it still took us most of the day. We had to refer back to the video a few times so it might be better to have it handy during the process. The amount of money we saved by doing it ourselves was worth the time and frustration but neither of us are in any rush to do it again and refuse to use the sunroof now