LOABA

My sunroof motor is dieing a slow and painful death, so it's replacement time. I can get a motor for around $25.00 and it looks to be a pretty simple trade-out.

Problem though; how do you get to the frikken headiner off? I've never removed one, and it looks like a pain...

willyboyK20

it is a pain, I did it recently to clean my headliner and find out what was wrong with my sunroof (doesn't go back anymore)

first off what kind of civic do you have a coupe or sedan?

LOABA

94' EX Coupe

willyboyK20

it might be a little easier for you. You just gotta start pulling back plastic pieces and unscrewing screws

Start from the bottom sides and work your way up. its easier that way.

And be prepared to break some plastic pieces

instructor74

before you go to all the trouble of changimg the motor open the roof and clean all of the tracks the lube in these things turns to glue after a few years. then spray a small amount of white lithium grease on all the track surfaces and around the inside lip,and the plastic slide mech. Open and close the roof a few times and see how it works

LOABA

Ugh - motor is buzz'n, but the sunroof ain't mov'n. Looks like we're gonna have to go to manual...

Okay, applied some WLG and things are looking good, I'll do a much more thorough cleaning job tomorrow and then reapply the grease (tonight was just a test).


Modified by LOABA at 5:23 PM 4/14/2006

quicksilver1689

Hhah mine does the same LOABA. IT makes a buzzing sound kinda loud but doesnt move. I have to force it manualy with my arm to get it to move. It kinda clicks on the track.
How much do u think it would cost to overhaul it?

instructor74

about an hour of time and the price of a can of spray lube. However you might have to realign the sunroof. Close the roof all the way (after you have cleaned and relubed it) Is it square in the opening? If so you shouldn't have to do anything. If it is not. run the roof out and back in untill you hear the motor bog and the roof stops moving. Now you have the job of dropping the head line to gain access to the roof motor. There are 3 #2 screws around the gear box housing that the motor is screwed to. remove these and the motor assy should pull down. DO NOT take the motor off of the gear box. the roof should now be able to be centred. take a look at it from the outside. if not move the rods that you now have access to ( look in the small hole that the gear box slids into)until it is centered and reinstall the motor. good luck