Moonroof Cables Kaput

[lexiesuv]

This is our first post, driven by a shocking need to repair of the moonroof cables, an est. $1,250, on our 2004 GX 470 with 70k (we bought it new). Moonroof made horrific croaking noise when we tried to open it, then motor couldn't quite push it all the way closed without manual assistance. Although we don't often open the roof-window, we'll get it fixed just to keep the vehicle up to snuff. Anyone else have this problem? (p.s. we have finally gotten the clunk fixed, too, per Lexus warranty replacement)

[blkjack]

I have a 2004 w/42,000 miles and have not experienced the issue you stated. In fact, I just recently programmed my moonroof control button to be an "auto" switch similar to the driver and passenger windows.

[BenD]

This is our first post, driven by a shocking need to repair of the moonroof cables, an est. $1,250, on our 2004 GX 470 with 70k (we bought it new). Moonroof made horrific croaking noise when we tried to open it, then motor couldn't quite push it all the way closed without manual assistance. Although we don't often open the roof-window, we'll get it fixed just to keep the vehicle up to snuff. Anyone else have this problem? (p.s. we have finally gotten the clunk fixed, too, per Lexus warranty replacement)

The same Moonroof noice and not be able to close it without manual assistance happend to our 2004 GX470 truck about a couple of months ago. The truck was under warranty (at 49000 mi) and dealer replaced the whole unit free.

[GXLEX]

I HAVE A 2003 GX 470 & I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE... EXCEPT MY ROOF IS STUCK OPEN. THE MOTOR STILL WORKS & THE DEFLECTOR STILL MOVES UP & DOWN, BUT THE ACTUAL GLASS SLIDES MAYBE A QUATER INCH BEFORE NOTHING HAPPENS... IF ANYONE CAN HELP OR ME WAHT TO DO, I'D APPRECIATE IT.. I HAVE 66K MILES SO IM PAST FREE WARRANTY REPAIR. THATNX FOR THE HELP GUYS & GALS...

[GXLEX]

I'm New To The Forum & I Have Gained Alot From Reading As A Guest Over The Past 2 Weeks Or So.. It Started For Me With A Stuck Open Sunroof On My 2003 Gx470..

I Googled How To Remove The Headliner , But I Can Not Find The Instructions To Add The To This Post.. But Here Is The Abridged Version For Those Who Want To Save $2000.00 If/ When This Happens To You:

You'll Need:

1.electric Screwdriver (phillips Attachment)

2.drill (for Those Stubborn Stuck On Screws)

3.four Inch Extender For Socket Wrench

4.turnable Socket Wrench & 10mm Socket

It Was Experimental When I Did It, So I Don't Have Pictures To Accopmany These Abridged Instructions... But From What I've Seen On Other Forums Including This One, I Think The Answer On How To Fix It Is What Everyone's Missing...

Disclaimer:

((i Am Semi Handy & By No Means Am Inviting Anyone Who Doesn't Know How To Operate A Screwdriver To Attempt This Repair. If You Are Handy With A Scredriver (electric Or Not) & Willing To See Parts Of Your Interior You Might Not Have Seen Before To Get This Repair Done..proceed..

This Worked For Me , & From My Research It Should Work For Those Who Also Have A Stuck Open Sunroof))

Let Me Say This For Clarity... The Problem Lies In The Dryness Of The 2 Cables That The Motor Turns To Open & Close The Sunroof... If Your Sunroof Makes Grinding Noises When You Try To Operate It.. This Means Your Motor Is Fine & Hte Below Repair Will Fix You Sunroof..

The 2 Cables Reside In The Front Of The Sunroof Assembly In A Clear Plastic & A Metal Housing.. The Object Is To Remove Both Cables From The Clear & Metal Housing (one Side Will Remain Fastened In While One End Of The Plastic Covered Cables Will Full Come Out Of The Sleeve/track... Once You Have This Done..

I Poured Baby Oil Into Both Sides Of The Track To Lubricate It Before Taking The Cables Out ( I Had To Blow The Baby Oil Htru Both Ends Of The Straw Until It Came Through The Open End Where The Motor Meets The Cable.

Once You Expose The Cables By Pulling Them Out Of Their Tracks Fully So The Entire Cable Minus The Part Holding It The Sunroof Assemblies Are Exposed, You Want To Apply Any Standard Multipurpose Grease Evenly Across The Both Entire Cables & Place The Back In Their Tracks...

Also Clean The Tracks Where The Glass Assembly Glides From Dried Grease & Apply Fressh Grease On The Entire Track..

The Track & Glass Part My Take Some Playing With, Nut A Flat Head Screwdrive Will Help You Get The Plasic Pieces Out Of The Rectanlular Slots Tehy Lock Into Aloowing You To Manually Function The Sunroof To Tilt Up , Open & Close Positions.. Once You Grease The Track For The Glass & All The Moveable Parts On The Actual Sunroof.. Put It In Closed Position & Reinstall It Back Into The Gx470...

Don't Worry, If You Notice When You've Bolted It Back Up That Its Not Fully Closed... It Will Fix Itself Once You Normailze It By Holding The Tilt Up Botton For About 10 Seconds Once The Sunroof Motor & Everything On The Headliner ( Rear Pass. Light , Rear Ent Sys, Sunglass Tray & Fron T Light Assembly, Etc) Have Been Reinstalled..

So To Make A Long Story Short.. You:

1.simply Removed The Headliner & Sunroof (screws & Tension Clips From The Sun Visors , Seatbelts Front & Rear ,trunk Lining..unbolt Sunroof & Remove It Out The Open Trunk Door

Note: Sunroof Assembly Weighs About 100 Lbs... I Weigh About 170 & I Did This Whole Job Alone.

2.cleaned The Tracks & Regreased Them With $2.00 Multipurpose Grease ..

3.reinstalled The Sunroof & Headliner

4.& The Held The Tilt Up Button To "normalize" The Sunroof

5.worked Like A Charm... I Hope This Saves You Time & Money...

See You In The Nex Thread