92 240sx : Loose sunroof components / Sunroof opening half way.

[slipnfall]

Hi there, Sorry for the vague question, but it's hard to describe this in a topic. Basically when I corner hard, I hear something *sliding* back and forth in my sunroof. Whatever it is, I'll hear it sliding and then smack the one side. I'm pretty sure it's coming from the rear of the sunroof. No noise untill I corner the other direction(it has to be hard, not durring normal d/driving).

I only have *one* problem with the sunroof, and maybe this is a clue. When I go to open the sunroof, it will stop about half way. If I release the open button and press it again, it will resume. It does this *every* time. It will always resume if I press it again, and it doesn't sound like it's binding on anything(no extra strain noise from the motor). It just stops, like it thinks it hit the limit switch.

Any ideas? I'm looking at the FSM now, but I don't see anything that could be loose and slide back and forth like that.

I suppose it's not really a problem(except it not opening all the way the first time), but it's very distracting on cornering! I guess I should count my blessings that it doesn't leak or anything like that. I do see some water stains on the headliner, but I don't know if that's from it being left open once, or maybe the seals have even been replaced(no known prior history on the car). It has always stayed 100% dry for me.

Thanks for reading.-Jamie

[slipnfall]

Also FWIW, the sunroof shade/cover doesn't seem to be in any sort of track: it will slide forward and back fine, but I can easily make it crooked. Is this normal? I notice the clip that is supposed to pull that shade is broken off also(ie I can open the sunroof, and the shade will stay closed untill I pull it back)

[onosqv]

It's probably one of the clips holding in the shade that is knocked out of place... happens very easily if you even close the sunroof shade "hard" once.

The easiest way to inspect it is to remove your sunroof assembly. You may need to get new shade brackets, which will run about 5-10 dollars a piece at the dealer... or get it from a junked 240. Just be careful when you remove the shade.

It's pretty straight forward to remove the entire thing.

[slipnfall]

Ok, I'll look into that: am I going to disturb any seals doing so? I don't want to go through the hassle of sealing everything up again(and risk it leaking!). From the looks of the FSM(the electrical diagram for the power control), the sunroof is *supposed* to stop about 1/2 way open. Can you/anyone confirm?

I'll take a look, see if I can at least find what's sliding around. I don't honestly open/close it much(the sun is too friggin' hot on my dome!)

[onosqv]

No seals will be broken - I've taken mine off a lot of times - you don't remove seals period.

Mine only stops when closing (leaves about 5-6"), then you have to press close again. When opening, it goes all the way. Mine is an 89 tho, so maybe they did some design changes later on.

[slipnfall]

Actually I had it backwards: mine operates in the same maner(opens all the way, closes 1/2). It should be nice tomorrow so I'll be able to take a look at it. The illustrations in the FSM are a bit difficult to understand, without the sunroof there to reference the drawings to.

Thanks again broke'.

[slipnfall]

Hey you were right on about the shade brackets: both were broken off on the one side. I dug one out from the rear(where the glass goes), but couldn't find the other. Does the shade go in from the top-side w/the clips on?(it came out real easy w/out 1/2 the clips!)

Thanks again,Jamie

[onosqv]

Nice

Yes, it can only be attached from the top. It's a little tricky bcs you don't wanna snap the new brackets - just take your time and use a litte "bending" persuasion.

[slipnfall]

, thanks again. BTW I noticed the one corner of the shade was damp(it rained the night before). But I assume that this is just because it was able to sit(w/out the clips) in the 'drain gutter'. I'm going to blow the drain hoses out, make sure they are cleared out.