Sunroof switch fix
My sunroof had been working fine up until about 2 months ago. For a while I had to push the button several times before it would respond.
Then one day after opening it to auto-x (helmet sticks through roof) it decided it didn't want to close at all (of course I didn't realize that
all you need is a flat-blade screwdriver to shut it, so I drove home in the rain with the top open - duh).
I stopped by the dealer to price the parts: switch $ 70, motor $ 550 - eek!
So I thought I'd see if I could figure out the problem. After a good bit of troubleshooting (if you have ?'s about how any of the
motors/switches work ask now before I forget - it's pretty clever), I was positive that the switch was the problem. I managed to get it apart
without breaking and found that the contacts were all corroded. I took a very small piece of fine grit sand paper and polished the contacts,
lubed them and reassembled the switch. Voila - my sunroof works better (faster) than it did 2 years ago.
If you are getting intermittent operation of your sunroof, I would recommend doing the same. Here are the steps (for my 4-92 assembled SLC
anyway):
remove the interior light assembly (basically pull down, if you're a wimp you can use a screwdriver to pry it out ;)
remove the two philips head screws (now revealed) that hold the front of the overhead console piece to the roof (careful of losing the small
brass washers).
pull the console piece rearward, it should come off the headliner now.
undo the connector at the switch and pop the switch out (it goes down through the console piece)
now the remainder of the steps have to be done carefully (at a table would be best) because you could break the switch and wind up paying $70
anyway
pop the toggle part of the switch off by pulling it away from the switch housing.
remove the two square copper pieces that are loose now (if you flip the switch upside-down they will fall out)
now the rest of the switch is mounted on a plate that snaps into the housing in four locations in the middle of the housing. you have to use
small screwdrivers or something to push on the four latches to release the plate. This wasn't meant to come apart so it will take some prying
- but be patient, I did it.
when you separate the plate from the housing, you will now be able to see the small contacts. tear off a piece of 400 grit or finer sand
paper about 2" by 1/2" and fold it to 2" by 1/4" (grit facing out). you can use this to clean the contacts. Insert it between the contacts,
close the contacts with a screwdriver and pull the sandpaper out - repeat as necessary ;).
I would recommend lubricating the contacts with petroleum jelly or something to prevent further corrosion.
assembly is a hell of a lot easier but be sure you get the toggle part of the switch on the right way around (mark it before you remove it if
you're unsure)
hope this helps someone else. I was sure glad to save $620 + labor the dealer would have charged me.
