Q45Tech - Sunroof Question

[Q451990]

Dennis,

Back when I visited T3 in the fall, I think you mentioned that the sunroof motor has a clutch adjustment. I tried opening the sunroof on "Q2" (the low mileage one you saw in October) and it's having trouble working as far as moving front to back. The tilt function works fine. It doesn't appear to jam, or be off the track - and with even a small amount of assistance it works fine. The motor also does not sound like it's stressed as if something were jamed.

From what I'm describing, does this sound like an adjustment, or will I be looking at replacing the track assembly? In all of the years and miles that I've had Q1, I never had a sunroof problem, so this is a new one for me...

Thanks!

Heath

[Q451990]

I finally found the TSB on this... for anyone else who ever reads this thread it is ITB90-037.

One of the descriptions given in the TSB describes my symptom exactly:

Clutch Slipping in the Sunroof Motor - The clutch preload is not within specification. The motor can be heard; however the sunroof lid will not open or close without asistance. The lid stops at various positions.

The TSB says that a "countermeasure" motor with "improved clutch manufacture" was implemented from 06/20/90 forward (VIN JNKNG01C*LM011735 and newer). Mine was built before this time - but from looking at the service records the motor was replaced on 1/17/1991 at 1,046 miles. I have no idea if they actually used the improved motor or not. Given that the TSB was only a month or so old at that point - it's pretty likely they just used a motor they had in stock... hard to say though. I found a complaint later in the service history saying that the motor would occasionally slip but "works fine" - whatever that means.

The TSB says that the solution is to replace the motor assuming that there aren't broken guides causing binding, or the sunroof lid isn't mis-aligned. If anyone knows of a way to adjust the pre-load without replacing the motor, I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks!

Heath

[Q45tech]

Disassemble the motor and clean the commutators.

[Q451990]

The motor itself runs fine... so I'm not sure how cleaning the commutators will help. Is there a clutch preload adjustment?

I assume using electrical contact cleaner is the best for this? The stuff I have has some sort of very light silicone additive that leaves a slightly greasy feel. Also, would you go ahead and lubricate the sunroof track? If so, what lubircant do you recommend?

Thanks!

Heath

[Q451990]

Thanks to Dennis, and Byron at T3 I found out how to adjust the clutch on my sunroof motor. Here's a picture of the side of the motor facing downward when it's attached to the car.

[Q451990]

Here's a picture of the top side of the motor that feeds the sunroof cables.



And of the bottom that faces down that you can see when you remove the map light/sunroof switch cluster.

[Q451990]

The red arrows are pointing to the adjustment for the clutch. The nut has a washer that is bent up to prevent the nut from turning on the keyed shaft. To adjust the clutch:

1 - Bend the washer back to the flat position.2 - Mark the current nut position relative to the flat part of the bolt by scratching it.3 - Hold the bolt in place using an alen wrench on the other side.4 - Turn the nut clockwise 1/4 to 1/2 turn.5 - Bend the washer up to hold the nut in place.

In my case 1/4 turn was enough to fix the problem.

It's important to be sure that the motor slipping is the cause of your problems. In my case the motor was running fine, but it just wouldn't move the roof occasionally. With only a slight bit of help, the roof would start moving again and finish it's cycle. Adjusting the torque upward on a roof assembly that's binding or just needs lubrication could cause damage to the very expensive and difficult-to-replace sunroof cable assembly!

Another tip... make sure that you only remove and reinstall the motor with the roof in the closed position.

Heath

[squeefoo]

In your experience w/the moonroof did you see any limit switches? mine won't stop when it's flush with the roof.Or could you point me in the right direction, as the FSM seems vague on this issue. THX

[Q451990]

If you look in the picture, the limit switches are on the left. Does your motor go right on past the stop point to the "tilt open" position, or it just stops in a slightly wrong position? If it's just not parking at exactly right spot, you can adjust it using the allen screw that the red arrow is pointing to in the first picture - that can even be done only removing the lighting/switch cluster without pulling the finisher.

If it's going straight on to the "tilt open" position, it's possible that the motor was installed at the wrong point in it's cycle during a prior repair. If so you'll have to pull the finisher around the visors and remove the motor after getting the roof set to the point that you want it to be when it's closed. Then you can cycle the motor backward, forward to the first stop, and reinstall. I know all of this is confusing to read, but it'll make more sense after you have the motor removed and see how it works using the switch to cycle the motor.

Also the TSB mentions that some of the early Q's (up to 01/15/1990 DOM, and VIN JNKNG01C*LM007337 had possible limit switch issues...

In either case, cycling the motor when it's not mounted back to the closed (but not tilt position) may help.

Hope this helps!

Heath

[d3funct]

I just bought a Japanese import Q45 and my sunroof suffers this problem.

I cant figure out how to remove the roof lining to access the motor, is there a tutorial avaliable to summarize this process?

[goody90q45]

I cant figure out how to remove the roof lining to access the motor, is there a tutorial avaliable to summarize this process?

You can download a free copy of the Infiniti factory service manual (FSM) here:

http://phatg20.net/modules.php...id=62

[maxnix]

II cant figure out how to remove the roof lining to access the motor, is there a tutorial avaliable to summarize this process?

There might be a post on removing the headliner (but it might have been for a J30), but to get started, search for Tangalora's post on visors. Serach in the post body and also recent and archive.

[d3funct]

Ah sweet as, my car never came with a manual or anything.

Cheers fella.

[maxnix]

Ah sweet as, my car never came with a manual or anything.

Cheers fella.

Get the TSB also from http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/infiniti/ for a one day subscription fee.

[AZhitman]

Heath - Nice work.

I learned this little adjustment this past weekend from the foreman down at my dealer as well...

Glad you beat me to the writeup.

Adding this to the article list.

[Q451990]

Nice to see something I did over two years ago still alive and well... this forum is an awesome knowledge base! to Hitman and everyone else who donate so much time and $$ to keep NICO running smoothly.

Heath

[AZhitman]

How about your custom title, man? What do you want it to be?

[squeefoo]

I just bought a Japanese import Q45 and my sunroof suffers this problem.

I cant figure out how to remove the roof lining to access the motor, is there a tutorial avaliable to summarize this process?

Before everyone here has you ripping the headliner out. ! I'd try cleaning the rails and cable as good as I could, and lubing the cable first with some 3-in-1 oil.

Try something mild like lighter fluid (naptha) and rags first on both (so you don't staining the paint or headliner......just in case.), but be carefull with the cable -since it is wires twisted around felt, I used an old toofbrush on it

[Q451990]

How about your custom title, man? What do you want it to be?

I haven't been ignoring this - I just had a hard time coming up with something!

How about "Old School Q Guru"

What do you think... Too long?

I considered "Q45Tech Wannabe" but I think I like "old school..." better.

Heath

[elwesso]

Theres no lenghth limit, if you want old school Q guru, its yours! just give me the word

Maybe old school Quru???

[Q451990]

Theres no lenghth limit, if you want old school Q guru, its yours! just give me the word

Let's go with it!

Heath

[elwesso]

LOOK UP!!!

[kdkrone]

You can download a free copy of the Infiniti factory service manual (FSM) here:

http://phatg20.net/modules.php...id=62

The earliest manual is 1994. I think you said you had a 1992. Is there an online manual for the 1992? My sunroof sounds like a clone of yours! I have gotten used to driving with my right hand with my left hand on the roof closing and opening the sunroof.!

ThanksKen K

[Q451990]

I believe 1994 was the first model year for .pdf manuals... to my knowledge no one has ever scanned in an older one. Much of the information from the 94 manual is relevant as it relates to suspension... but the electrical systems are substantially different.

Heath