How do you access sunroof mechanics?

So my sunroof is now acting up. When you crack the sunroof up you can hear a grinding noise once the sunroof is fully raised as long as the button is held down. also, when closing the sunroof I noticed that it no longer sits flush. the sunroof will go down lower than the level of the roof and a gap can be seen between the roof and the sunroof seal. I'm ready to turn wrenches but accessing this parts eludes me.

Hopefully this helps you out. If not, I have a ton more info on it.



Sunroof Panel Vertical Adjustment
Adjust the height of the sliding glass panel in the following manner:

•Equal in height from side-to-side
•Front of the sliding glass panel (1), flush to 1.0 mm (0.040 in) below the roof panel (2)
•Rear of the sliding glass panel, flush to 1.0 mm (0.040 in) above the roof panel
•This provides the proper sealing and minimizes windnoise.
With the sliding glass panel in the closed position, inspect the height of the glass panel at the following locations:

•The front of the glass panel
•The rear of the glass panel
If the panel height is not within the above specifications, perform the following adjustment procedure:

Important: Adjust the sliding glass panel height one corner at a time. Only adjust the corners that are not at the proper height. After adjusting each corner, inspect the height of the entire sliding glass panel in order to determine if additional adjustment is required.

 1. With the glass panel fully closed, slide the sunshade fully rearward.
 2. Remove the 3 fasteners from the front edge of the shield ring. Slide the shield ring rearward.
Important: DO NOT loosen all 3 of the fasteners on the side being adjusted.

 3. In order to adjust any corner, complete the following steps:
3.1. Loosen the glass panel mounting fastener nearest to the corner being adjusted.
3.2. Loosen the center mounting fastener on the side being adjusted.
 4. After loosening the 2 fasteners, move the glass panel up or down by hand.
Tighten the 2 fasteners.

 5. Inspect the sliding glass panel height.
Readjust the height as needed.

 6. Repeat the adjustment procedures on the other corners as needed in order to meet the height specifications.
 7. Slide the shield ring forward.
 8. Install the 3 retaining fasteners.

Here are a couple of posts about the Sunroof ...

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t8166-lubing-sunroof-track?highlight=sunroof

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t7269-write-up-sunroof-diagnosis-and-repair?highlight=sunroof

They might be helpful?

Before I'm gone for the weekend, and don't have access to this stuff, I'll leave this. Just in case the motor is out of sync with the track. It sounds like it might be. I'm sure you're going to try something to remedy it this weekend...I know I would


 1. Completely or partially open the sunroof.
 2. Close the sunroof. Use the switch until the motor stops.
 3. Verify the following conditions:
◦The sliding glass panel and the motor are in the closed position.
◦The sliding glass panel is approximately even with the roof panel.
◦The sliding glass panel is level and centered in the roof opening.
 4. Adjust the motor synchronization if the following conditions exist:
◦The rear of the panel is noticeably low or high in the rear.
◦The rear of the panel is loose and may be moved up and down using your hand.
 5. If the following conditions do not exist, refer to Sunroof Panel Vertical Adjustment and to Sunroof Panel Horizontal Adjustment:
◦The glass panel is centered approximately in the opening.
◦The glass panel is even with the roof panel.
◦The glass panel is not loose at the rear.
 6. Lower the rear of the headliner in order to access the sunroof motor. Refer to Headlining Trim Panel Replacement in Interior Trim.



Important: Do not disconnect the electrical connection.

 7. Remove the sunroof motor from the mounting.
 8. With the motor removed from the mounting and the ignition in the ON position, move the sunroof switch to the rear position for several seconds.
Release the switch.

 9. Push the switch into the forward position.
Hold the switch until the motor stops.

Important: Do not move the sunroof switch until after the motor is installed.

10. Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
11. Slide the sunshade fully rearward.
12. Remove the 3 screws from the front edge of the shield ring.
13. Slide the shield ring rearward.



14. Locate the sunroof track transmission drive gear (1).



15. Turn the sunroof track transmission drive gear clockwise or counterclockwise as needed in order to align the lifter guide pin (2) with the fourth rib (1) from the rear of the lifter arm.
16. Verify that the following conditions exist:
◦The lifter arms hold the rear of the glass panel tightly in position.
◦The glass panel cannot be moved up or down using your hand.
17. If the glass panel is loose, inspect the tightness of the glass panel mounting screws. Refer to Sunroof Glass Panel Replacement.



18. Install the motor and the cover.
19. Turn the ignition to the ON position.
20. Verify the proper operation of the sunroof by cycling the sunroof from a closed position to the vent position, and to a fully open position.

Wow this is all very helpful. There should be more than enough here for me to make repairs. Thanks!

any one have the wire colors? or details of how to remove the headliner? i got a couple issues with my sunroof too one being the drain hoses the other bein it stopped workin

Yes, I do. When I get to work tomorrow, I'll post what I have for you.

Thanks Scott

This is the procedure for the Headliner Removal. If you need any of the sub-categories (like removing handles, bezels, belts), let me know....wherever it says "Refer To" is another link in my Info

Headlining Trim Panel Replacement (Buick)
Removal Procedure
Notice: Use care when removing and installing the headliner. If reusing the headliner lay the headliner down flat on a clean surface. Excessive bending will damage the headliner.

 1. Remove the shoulder belt bolts from the B-pillar. Refer to Seat Belt Replacement - Driver or Passenger in Seat Belts.
 2. Remove the upper B-pillar trim.
 3. Remove the courtesy lamp.
 4. Remove the front upper pinchweld lace.
 5. Remove the windshield garnish molding. Refer to Windshield Pillar Garnish Molding Replacement.
 6. Remove the rear sail panels. Refer to Sail Panel Replacement.



7. Remove the assist handles (2). Refer to Assist Handle Replacement.
 8. Disconnect the electrical connectors to the following components:
◦The headliner harness
◦The courtesy lamp
◦The sunshade (4)
 9. Remove the sunshades (4). Refer to Sunshade Replacement.
 10. Remove the map light bezel.
 11. Disconnect the electrical connectors from the mirror and the map light.
 12. Remove the rearview mirror.
 13. Lower the front seat backs.
 14. With the aid of an assistant, remove the headliner (1) through the passenger door.

Obviously, reverse to install.

Apparently GM took the wiring diagrams for the Power Sunroof out of SI. I have flow charts with wire colors and circuit numbers, but no actual schematic. I can post what I have and you can try and make sense of it lol.

please do scott and the things on removing the handles lights and homelink thing please and ty

Assist Handle Removal




1. Rotate the assist handle downward.
 2. Remove the 2 fasteners from the assist handle.
 3. Partially pull the assist handle downward.
 4. Disconnect the electrical connectors.
 5. Remove the handle assembly.


Rear Roof Rail Light Removal




 1. From the edge closest to the window, gently pry the lamp lens (5) in order to release the tabs.
 2. From the edge closest to the window, gently pry the lamp (1) in order to release the tab from the lamp bezel (3).
Rotate the lamp (1) downward in order to release the retaining legs.
3. Release the tabs retaining the bulb/socket assembly to the lamp (1).
 4. Pull out on the bulb in order to remove the bulb from the socket.


Homelink Thing 




 1. Insert a flat bladed tool (1) at the rear edge of the universal garage door opener.
 2. Disengage the forward tabs (2) from the overhead console.
3. Disconnect Electrical Connectors


Anything else?

ty scott

if anyone has pics of the wiring on these please please post. im bout to start reasembly and because my old headliner and sunroof wiring was jacked up have no idea how half of it goes i want to make sure i do it right and only have to do it once

joshuadalegrimes wrote:

if anyone has pics of the wiring on these please please post. im bout to start reasembly and because my old headliner and sunroof wiring was jacked up have no idea how half of it goes i want to make sure i do it right and only have to do it once

I'll see if I have them and put them up later for you. Or do you mean literal pics of physical wiring routing?

anything. i have a plug on the passenger side of the headliner that i dont know what goes to. it looks like the wires to the control button but i dont know. thanks scott

any luck scott??

joshuadalegrimes wrote:

any luck scott??

As far as wiring pics I got nothing  \
I would just make sure that everything that is there and you know is supposed to work is plugged in. It's not uncommon that you run into a plug with no mate.

There is a vague illustration of the wiring harness on page 8-5-2 in this post, just shows the routing. Not sure if it will help though?

99Rivman wrote:

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t7269-write-up-sunroof-diagnosis-and-repair?highlight=sunroof

Are you looking for more specific information about the wires in the harness itself? If so let me know and I'll see what I can find.

na but thats what i needed blown up. mine was someones frankenstien project. i said screw the sunroof and put my new headliner in. it looks great!