2001 vs 2003 QX4 Sunroof Differences

[bryanmenard]

I've long owned a 2001 Infiniti QX4. I recently acquired a 2003 QX4 with lower miles and I'm finding subtle differences (most of which I like).

My 2001 has long had issues with the moonroof binding when attempting to slide back, particularly while the vehicle is moving. It simply wouldn't drop down to slide back unless I had a window cracked or I tilted it up first, then quickly did tilt down-slide back with some quick fingers on the switches.

So I acquired this 2003 and am learning the subtle differences as I go, I suppose. I never noticed this until recently but, on the 2003, when I select the slide back function, the roof tilts up, then goes all the way down, then slides back. The default action of the motor pretty much mimics what I was doing with the 2001, except manually.

So on the 2003, it tilts up before it tilts down, then slides back. The 2001 just starts from flush and goes straight down, then slides back. And it jams a lot

Am I crazy or did they change the way these things operate at some point to deal with the binding that was common? The 2003 opens flawlessly. I never noticed the difference until just recently because this tilt-up thing is totally concealed by the shade and I just use the auto-open function.