Jammed Sunroof

[marfu]

A couple of months ago I proudly purchased my first Lexus, a 2002 ES300. I bought the "certified" vehicle from the local dealer without the certification and the extended warranty - all in the interest of saving a few bucks and having complete faith in the product.

Ever since I've had my vehicle, the sunroof has made unusual noises including once, the sound of glass. Persevering, I opened and closed the sunroof successfully over the next three or four weeks. That is, until this past weekend. Now the roof is about 99% jammed shut and a tad cocked at an angle. There is no motor noise when trying to open or close.

Questions:

1. What do you perceive to be the problem?

2. Is this problem best fixed by the dealership?

3. Do you believe the dealer has any obligation to repair for nothing or a nominal charge?

4. If not, what do you reckon the charges are going to run?

I would appreciate any and all help on this matter.

Thanks for your help, Mark :(

[SKperformance]

I would first enquire about getting the warranty from the dealer as they may still sell it to you.

Was it a Lexus dealer?

[marfu]

I would first enquire about getting the warranty from the dealer as they may still sell it to you.

Was it a Lexus dealer?

The certification and extended warranty cost about $1500. This warranty would only be good for another 40,000 miles on this vehicle. Are you suggesting that given the cost of this repair, it may be more than worth it?

Mark

[SKperformance]

If you can get it ,it is so worth it.

$1500 is nothing compared to simple repairs.

[coleycoleman1906]

He aint never lied, that would cover any two repairs that just occur

[gbhrps]

marfu,

Your sunroof has had a malfunction in its drive motor, its computer, its drive cables and mechanisms, or may have come unaligned. You may be able to solve part of the problem if your owner's manual describes a method whereby you use a special allen key from the toolkit and insert it into the sunroof drive mechanism (I seem to recall it was under the overhead light lens). I can't be sure since it was so long ago that we had the 97 ES, or it may well have been the Cressida's that were before even that car. Regardless, to get at the sunroof itself requires that the headliner be pulled. That means that the A, B and C pillar mouldings must come off, as well as the sunvisors, overhead assist handles, overhead lights, door weather stripping halfway down the doors, B pillar Seat belt mountings, etc. Been there, done that. It is time consuming .... read several shop hours to get to the sunroof, and then several hours after the repair to reinstall everything removed ..... read expensive, if you have the dealership do that work for you. I saved a bundle by pulling and replacing the headliner myself, leaving just the sunroof repair to the dealership. One word of advice if you choose to go this route ... keep your hands clean and clean them frequently to keep from dirtying up the headliner and pillar mouldings. Cleaning it afterwards leaves unsatisfactory results from dirt that won't come out, and from rub patterns that stand out noticebly when dry.

[marfu]

marfu,

Your sunroof has had a malfunction in its drive motor, its computer, its drive cables and mechanisms, or may have come unaligned. You may be able to solve part of the problem if your owner's manual describes a method whereby you use a special allen key from the toolkit and insert it into the sunroof drive mechanism (I seem to recall it was under the overhead light lens). I can't be sure since it was so long ago that we had the 97 ES, or it may well have been the Cressida's that were before even that car. Regardless, to get at the sunroof itself requires that the headliner be pulled. That means that the A, B and C pillar mouldings must come off, as well as the sunvisors, overhead assist handles, overhead lights, door weather stripping halfway down the doors, B pillar Seat belt mountings, etc. Been there, done that. It is time consuming .... read several shop hours to get to the sunroof, and then several hours after the repair to reinstall everything removed ..... read expensive, if you have the dealership do that work for you. I saved a bundle by pulling and replacing the headliner myself, leaving just the sunroof repair to the dealership. One word of advice if you choose to go this route ... keep your hands clean and clean them frequently to keep from dirtying up the headliner and pillar mouldings. Cleaning it afterwards leaves unsatisfactory results from dirt that won't come out, and from rub patterns that stand out noticebly when dry.

Thanks grhrps:

I'm told by an independent who quoted me $975 that I need new cables among other things. In the meantime I've inquired with the local dealership who indicate that they will be asking their area rep and their general manager any relief for a "certified" vehicle that I believe had this problem before I even drive off the lot.

Anyway, thanks for your very comprehensive response.

Mark