New guy with sunroof issue

[prorook]

Just picked up a '92 LX with 73k on it for $1500.00. Have a '91 Miata and really like the Mazda feel. This one is for my daughter, but with luck I'll get to drive it occassionally.

Dropped the car off to get CV joints looked at (lot of noise when turning right) so no pix at moment.

Did a search and can't find any discussion of this. Sunroof motor make noise, but it doesn't open. Any ideas of where to begin looking?

Also, any of the repairs manuals out there better than the others?
TIA

[MazKid]

Sometimes the sunroof mechanism freezes if not used often or if something has damaged it. I'd suggest trying to push the sunroof open while pushing the button and sometimes it'll pop open and work. If not you may need to take out your headliner and check it out, and replace it if necessary. Could be that it's simply stuck, or it could be broken parts.

Welcome to the forums BTW, glad you like how our cars "Just Feel Right".

[naprotejay]

Hey, you're here

Does the sunroof tilit up+down? I've found with my 94 that it gets stuck sometimes(haven't really taken time to figure out why yet) Anyways, if you can tilt it up, do so; and then from that position, try opening it.

Also, you can take a quick look at the motor itself by sliding the cover panel off in the overhead 'console'.

Maybe that will give you a lead on the problem....

[naprotejay]

Mazkid and I were replying at the same time - he beat me to the punch

Was also going to say that the power windows in these cars are on the weak side, I know you mentioned that in the other thread..... anyways, take a few screws out, and pop the panel off and do the same tricks that you use on the miata. I'd be curious if the motors themselves are much different from the miata

[mike_moss]

Never heard of this happening, but if the issue is the motor assembly, I have one in great condition. PM me if you're interested.

[D323]

welcome to the club mang.

Since no pics of the LX, pics of the miata will do

Oh and if you gotta replace the motor, might as well get a glass panel from an Escort GT (91-96) in there....

[mike_moss]

Oh and if you gotta replace the motor, might as well get a glass panel from an Escort GT (91-96) in there....

Got a couple of those too...but by the sounds of it, it's the motor.

[D323]

Got a couple of those too...but by the sounds of it, it's the motor.

oh I am sure its the motor thats fuq'ed, IM just informing him of an asthetic mod that he might enjoy since the panel has to come out anyways right?

[prorook]

Thanks for the welcome! And the advice. I have been checking out your cars and I do like the glass panel look as an alternative to the sunroof. How does it look on the inside? Seems to me that it wouldn't be the same. I'll follow up on your advice when I get the car back from getting CV joints. (Tuesday, I think.)

Going to change the fluids asap, get an alignment and balance and rotate. Have two surface rust spots I want to clean up before I give the car to my daughter for her 17th on Sunday. Plus the white is pretty oxidized and I want some time to buff it out some.

Naprotejay, appreciate you hooking me up with the link! Always good to find people passionate about a car...and these guys are that!

Thanks again!

[prorook]

Just went to the shop and spent some time messing with sunroof. Good news is that the motor works just fine. Using info gleaned from other posts on this site I took the scientific approach and smacked the back of the sunroof and it slid back as nice as you please. Tilted correctly after that too.

Only problem now is that I have to smack it everytime to get it to slide. Looks like the panel trim is holding it up. Plan to lub it when I get it home and see if that helps. Meanwhile, will be searching for info on "tuning" the sunroof. Saw it mentioned in some other threads. Found out it has power mirrors as well.

Love the throaty sound of that engine...very Miata-like.

[Mazda_Powered]

yea, my sunroof likes to stick too. i have to push it up to get it to tilt, but it'll go down fine. and i have to push down on the back for it to slide back, then push it back up when its forward so it seals properly. it like a 1/2 manual 1/2 automatic. oh well, i'd rather it be like this than only have the manual one that tilts.

JACK

[prorook]

I agree with you, still there must be something that can be done. I'll keep messing with it.