There’s nothing like cracking your moonroof and allowing a little fresh air and warm sunlight into the cabin as you drive around town on a warm day. That classic wind-in-your-hair feeling is one of the easiest ways to elevate your ride, but it loses a lot of its appeal when the sky clouds over, and the rain starts to fall. In most cases, drivers can simply seal the window up and wait out the weather, but what are you supposed to do if your moonroof won’t close?
The widespread embrace of automated features has largely been a boon to the average driver. However, there are some inherent disadvantages to relying on a series of servos, motors, and precisely engineered electronic systems to do something as relatively simple as shutting your window. The days of the hand-cranked window are long behind us, and while many relish the convenience of the automated approach, it does come with its downsides. In an effort to help protect you from the elements and preserve your car’s interior from the ravages of rain, snow, and other conditions that would threaten to saturate your cabin, we have a basic guide designed to help troubleshoot any pesky moonroof, sunroof, or window-related issues that might prevent the windows from closing. Join us as we outline some common symptoms of a faulty window, discuss some simple fixes, and learn just how accessible this DIY project can be.
Moonroof and Sunroof
While there was once a distinct difference between the two offerings, the terms have largely become interchangeable over time. A moonroof is basically just a type of sunroof, but if you want to be a real stickler about it, a moonroof is technically a tinted glass panel that can be partially or fully opened to let in the elements, while a sunroof is usually defined as a solid metal panel that’s designed to block any light until it’s opened. In modern times, the moonroof has surpassed the sunroof in terms of popularity, with many brands embracing a design that pairs a moonroof with a built-in sunshade that gives drivers the option of limiting their sun intake when they’re behind the wheel. Regardless of the specific design, moonroofs and sunroofs are largely identical when it comes to diagnosing any malfunctions, so for the purposes of this article, we’re going to treat them as a single entity.
Clean It Up
The first tip is pretty obvious but certainly still worth a mention. A moonroof is designed to operate along a set of tracks that can easily become clogged with leaves, pine needles, dirt, ice, and other debris as you go about your journey. These contaminants can prevent the moonroof from smoothly sliding along the track or, in extreme cases, stop it from moving altogether. Before you start checking fuses, replacing motors, and performing a full reset, do a quick inspection of the tracks. Use a cloth and mild cleaning spray to thoroughly clean the tracks and remove any larger debris that might have worked its way into the mechanism. Even if you’re not experiencing a malfunction, regularly inspecting and cleaning the tracks can help prevent future issues and minimize wear and tear on the whole assembly.
Reset It
The old “turn it off and turn it back on again” trick is a surprisingly effective way to treat a wide variety of issues when dealing with electronics. If your moonroof won’t open or refuses to close, a simple reset could be all you need. The exact order of operations depends on your vehicle’s specific make and model, but we’ll briefly review the process for the typical Nissan model. Start by turning the ignition to the “On” position, then press and hold the moonroof button until it’s in the full-tilt position. Once it’s tilted up, repeat the process and then hold the button for four seconds. At this point, the moonroof should start making tiny adjustments in the tilted position, at which point you can release the button and start the vehicle. It’s an odd little order of operations and one that you might not nail the first time, but give it a couple of tries before moving on to more involved methods.
Change the Fuse
Every electrical system in your vehicle ultimately runs through the fuse box, which protects them from short circuits and electrical overloads that could seriously damage these sensitive components. Checking the fuse box could save you a lot of hassle in the long run and is often one of the first things you should inspect if you’re running into any moonroof-related issues. Consult your owner’s manual to determine which fuse is responsible for operating the moonroof, and then identify the fuse within the fuse box, which is typically located below the left side of the steering wheel inside the cabin. If the fuse looks like it’s fried, a $1 replacement could be all you need to get your moonroof back into good working order.
Lube It Up
A cheap can of silicone spray can fix a surprising number of problems on the average car, truck, or SUV. From a squeaky suspension to door locks, hinges, and even your moonroof, a little lube can go a long way. If your moonroof is stuck in the open position, clean out the tracks and then try hitting it with a quick application of silicone spray. This won’t do much good if the problem is caused by a serious mechanical or electrical issue, but lubrication can work wonders for some milder cases.
Check Lift Arms, Guides, Motor, and Seals
Once you’ve eliminated some of the easiest issues, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and inspect any mechanical elements that might be acting up. The guides might need to be repositioned, or the lift arms might be acting up, but you could also be dealing with a misaligned cable, or a broken rubber seal could be gunking up the works. There’s also the chance that the motor responsible for driving the moonroof assembly has given up the ghost. Some of these more complicated issues can be a little difficult for the average driver to diagnose and address. If you suspect that your malfunctioning moonroof might be related to any of these issues, it’s time for a frank self-assessment of your mechanical ability. While some more experienced drivers might be handy with a multimeter and comfortable breaking out the toolbox to dismantle their moonroof, the majority will probably be inclined to consult an expert. Your local mechanic or auto glass shop can probably address the issue for a reasonable fee, though there’s nothing wrong with poking around and giving it the old college try before throwing in the towel. The moonroof isn’t an integral part of your vehicle’s powertrain or safety system, so there’s not a lot of damage you can do with a little tinkering.
Side Windows
Many of the same tips apply when dealing with defective side windows, but there are a few important differences. You can largely follow the same instructions when it comes to resetting the windows, checking the fuse box or motor, and treating the tracks with a little lube, but let’s briefly discuss some issues unique to side windows.
Check Weather Stripping
The rubbery weather stripping around your windows stops moisture from finding its way into the cabin while preventing hot or cool air from escaping when using the AC. Over time, this weather stripping can become dry, cracked, or otherwise worn, which could present some real issues that prevent the window from opening or closing. Inspect the weather stripping and see if any obvious defects are keeping the window from closing. If you spot something, make an appointment with your local auto glass shop to perform a replacement. Again, DIY is always an option, but the project requires some specialized tools and specific knowledge that could make it a little intimidating for less mechanically inclined drivers.
Inspect the Track
Like your moonroof, your side windows run along a track that’s designed to keep the window operating in a steady up-and-down motion. When the window breaks free of this track, it can lead to a jam that could prevent your window from fully opening or closing. This problem can usually be traced to a faulty cable, which is a pretty complex issue to address unless you happen to run your own mechanic’s shop or auto glass store. Addressing the issue usually involves removing the whole door panel, which means a long list of other components and electrical systems, including some vital safety equipment, could be affected.
Disable Child Locks
This might be one of the most obvious and overlooked entries on the list. Child locks have been required on every vehicle sold in the US since 1985 and play an important safety role by preventing children from accidentally opening their own windows and doors from the inside. Drivers without children might not realize it, but child safety locks can prevent the rear windows from being activated by curious little fingers. If your rear windows are acting up, checking the child safety window lock, which is usually a button next to the driver’s window switches that disables all but the driver’s controls, can save you a lot of time and effort that would otherwise be spent addressing more complicated causes.
Brute Force
If your window is stuck open and there’s bad weather or low temperatures on the horizon, you can try brute forcing the window back into place using the palm method. With the vehicle in the “On” position, place your hands on either side of the glass and have a friend push the switch to make the windows roll up. Squeeze your hands together, lift, and see if you can’t force the window back into place. This is usually just a short-term solution but can come in handy when suddenly facing rain, snow, or other wet conditions and you need to get your window closed immediately.
There are two other less elegant options on the table, but it’s important to proceed with caution. You can always try slamming the affected door shut while holding down the window button, which could help to shake things back into place, or go full Crouching Tiger and use an open-palm strike to hit the interior door. We wouldn’t recommend trying either of these methods more than once, though they can double as a good way of dealing with the frustration of a malfunctioning window.
If you don’t want a faulty window to rain on your parade (or daily commute), these tips should be helpful. While some of the more complicated causes might require calling in the pros, there’s a lot the average driver can do to solve the issue. If nothing else, eliminating some of the more obvious solutions will save you some time and money when you do eventually make an appointment with your local mechanic, dealership, or auto glass specialist.
As always, the team at Check Engine recommends that drivers always be honest with themselves when it comes to automotive repair work. While it’s good to build a repertoire of basic repair and maintenance skills, knowing when to call in the pros can often help to prevent a fixable issue into a big-ticket repair. As we said, there’s really not too much you can screw up when it comes to a malfunctioning moonroof, sunroof, or side window, but that doesn’t mean there are no risks involved at all.