civics4lyfe

just thought of this, its been broke forever. my cars bein painted at the end of may, i think i might as well fix the sunroof before.

the sunroof in my 95 civic coupe opens and slides back, but when i try to close, it simply compresses onto the roof. if i push up to counter act it, it slowly moves closed. a local body shop found a spring laying loosly back in the headliner. and i didnt even want to bother asking honda, im not looking to sell a kidney just yet.

anyone else get this problem?
do i need a new sunroof assembly/sliders?
can it be done myself?
and how to i access the system, i.e. remove the headliner [correctly] without breaking off any tabs?

NOFX

Well, here's the main diagram for the system. What do you want to know?

20-41

I'm including these first two pages since they seem like they might have something to do with it.

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20-47

The trim is just held on with clips behind the panels.

civics4lyfe

ummm, first off, how to remove the headliner [i.e. any hidden clips, so i dont break em], and how do diagnose the problem.

could i possibly go to honda, and ask them for an estimate, and then theyll diagnose it without charge, and i can do it myself? or is there a loophole in my scheme that im missing?

NOFX

Diagnosis ALWAYS costs something. I think it's $70-90/hour or so, depending on the dealership probably.

It's going to be difficult for them to give you an estimate on any work besides the initial diagnosis since upon you bringing the car in they might not know what's wrong right away. It could be a half hour job where they just need to shim something or it could be a four hour job where they have to disassemble the entire thing.

Working on a moonroof is a pain in the butt. Everything has to go back together the right way or else you end up with a gaping hole in your car.

Headliner removal is easy. Please be aware that when you remove the headliner you won't be able to see much more than the drain tubes and the giant flat underside of the moonroof pan.

I'll add more pages above though.

civics4lyfe

the anchor spring is what fell out, could that be it? obviously if somethings missing, but im not sure if anything else is wrong.

ugggh id really hate to pay 70-90/hr, but a gaping hole in my roof sounds worse! lol

NOFX

My manual is a 1992 manual, so I don't have directions for removing the headliner on a coupe.

I can tell you what it says for a hatch and sedan though. They should be pretty similar and can at least give you an idea.

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NOFX

I added the rest of the pages.

I tore apart two '98 coupe moonroofs (the type that slide into the roof) and it wasn't too bad. I had a garage just in case too though.

civics4lyfe

yeah, i have a garage to use, but its my only car and daily driver. looks like ill be using some trash bags and masking tape, as if my sanded-down with pink bondo-spots honda doesnt look ghetto enough right now. lol

civics4lyfe

okay well ive studied the diagrams, i have my headliner off. later ill be dropping the entire system out to install a new anchor spring.

if this doesnt fix it, whats the best way to diagnose the problem? id hate to buy a whole new moonroof system if not necessary. the cover/sliders and all seem good, i dont know if the motor could be malfunctioning?

i got 3 weeks to get her workin before paint.

95coupeb

im having the SAME problem so i gotta bump this to see whats wrong.

civics4lyfe

no responses, lol.

ima mess with the anchor spring tomorrow, pull the entire sunroof system out. ill letcha know whats up with it

95coupeb

lol thanks.

civics4lyfe

headliner out. sunroof system out. replaced the anchor spring. sunroof still compresses onto railings instead of sliding along the track. ugh... ill play around with it a bit tomorrow, i dont really know what to do with it.

95coupeb

once i get this stupid corrolla done with and outa my garage im gonna be doing the same thing so if i figure anything out before you do ill let you know. but ya mine will go back with no problem. somtimes have to help it up like. but when closing i have to like push it along while pushing the button...

bluebomber

iTrader: (2)

I have this same issue on my 95 coupe. The motor has worn out. You need a new one.

It's the piece under the headliner where the bump is close to the windshield. When you replace it, I would also add graphite to the tracks of the sunroof to help it slide easier.

You'll need to get one from a junkyard car with a sunroof, or buy one new from Honda. Last I checked, they were not cheap to get new. (200+)

This should fix your problem.

95coupeb

the motor going would explain it all looks like a CHuck and Eddies excursion is in due.!!.

bluebomber

iTrader: (2)

Get one from a car with the lowest miles you can find since these are a wear item. If you get one from a high-mileage car, it may wear out soon and necessitate a replacement again.

95coupeb

can you use a motor from a ek? or an only an eg? a em1? or are they specific to each year?

bluebomber

iTrader: (2)

If you aren't sure, you should pull yours and compare it to the one at the yard, then report back here and let us know.
They look different and have different part numbers. Compare the following picture for 92-95 Civic:



The sunroof motor is piece number 31 in the picture, part number 106978 at http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/

Versus the piece for 96-00 Civic:



That same piece for 96-00 is number 10, and is a different part number, 21996.

They might work, but I couldn't say for sure.

95coupeb

lol fair enough. i will. im also gonna do some research too. if i find anything ill let ppl know.

Geoff C.

I have this same problem too, only the drivers side drops down early and it also sits higher when it is open all the way... It also doesn't happen all the time, but probably about 75% of the time.

xcivictunerx

BUMP! Mine did the same thing! After having to help it open and push it closed, I went to open it one day goin down the highway and the glass blew out of the frame and almost hit a lexus behind me... I got another glass but the arms that raise and lower it arent in sync and they drag on my roof so I just keep it closed...

Former User

Old thread closed.