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Sunroof won't close (1999 Grand Vitara)

9K views 25 replies 5 participants last post by  2013GV 
#1 ·
Hi,

Lately I've been having trouble closing the sunroof in my GV. Most of the time, it needs some fiddling to get it closed. It gets stuck at certain points, at which point retracting the sunroof a tiny bit then trying to close it again will do the trick. Last night, it stopped completely, and wouldn't move. I ended up using motor oil to lubricate the rails and finally got it closed (because it was the only oil i had lying around :S).

My question is, is there any way i can fix this myself without taking the car into the service centre (because they're idiots at the service centre :( )?

Thanks!
 
#2 · (Edited)
Clean out any accessible tracks / sunroof contact areas with a detergent like Simple Green or 409 using Q-tips and a stiffened rag (with a Popsicle like stick inside of it). Re-clean with a water dampened rag to remove the remaining gunk and detergent.

After that, let dry and the lube those areas with Silicone Spray, available about anywhere. ;) Stay away from using any "wet" oils that leave their residue behind.
 
#9 ·
Clean out any accessible tracks / sunroof contact areas with a detergent like Simple Green or 409 using Q-tips and a stiffened rag (with a Popsicle like stick inside of it). Re-clean with a water dampened rag to remove the remaining gunk and detergent.

After that, let dry and the lube those areas with Silicone Spray, available about anywhere. ;) Stay away from using any "wet" oils that leave their residue behind.
I saw some people online say that you should use lithium grease not silicone spray because it's not good for metal on metal application.
Honestly i haven't tried either of them, so what do you think?
Also i think i'm gonna take the glass of, is that a good idea?
 
#5 · (Edited)
The only 99' sunroof ones I've seen (to date) were on the Limited model.

Leather was probably an option then (special ordered with or without). Being in Saudi, you're probably better off w/cloth seats anyway. ;)

I think heated seats, maybe mirrors were an option too. I've got the original sales brochure somewhere. I'll have to dig it out.
 
#7 ·
#14 ·
you can remove the glass to get better access but i haven't had a 2nd gen one apart, so i don't know how its held in and what alignment steps are needed to put it back in
I've had a few 3G ones in pieces, for some strange reason the local spiders like building nests in the drain tubes and its easier to take the glass out to gain access to the drain tube for cleaning.

If you can get to the tracks, lube them and cycle the roof a few times to distribute the lube on the slides.
 
#16 ·
on the 3G ones you take it out from the closed position. Someone on here will have the relevant section from the manual for your model.
 
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#18 ·
NO, don't use WD40 silicone, it leaves an oily film dust loves to stick to.

go get some bike chain dry lube. you will thank me later

yes, remove and re fit when closed, make sure it looks like its in the same location, usually flush with roof in all 4 corners when closed. refer to section A in your diagram as well.
 
#19 ·
No, that is simply the BRAND name (WD), not the once only available oily 'WD' as we knew it. ;)

This item now presented in discussion IS a dry film silicon substance and will work great!
 
#20 ·
Max, I know its a silicone spray and I have used this so called dry film WD40 silicone spray and it still leaves a wet residue. Admittedly nowhere as bad as the original water displacing spray did. Wurth silicone spray is about the same, theres still a wet residue.
While its great on rolling surfaces like wheels on rails and ball bearing door tracks, its next to useless on metal on metal sliding surfaces and disappears rapidly. If you dont mind reapplying it every month or so depending on roof usage then by all means, use it.
It is however fantastic to spray onto door rubbers to stop then freezing to the door in winter when you get that unexpected freeze after a day of rain.
 
#22 ·
This is the stuff I use, you can use the silicone spray but it won't last as long. Given the hassle I prefer to lube it once every couple of years. It is a ptfe based lube.

 
#24 ·
#26 ·
Aren't they all ptfe?
What about this.
View attachment 98270
I don't know that product at all

Silicone is silicone, ptfe is polytetraflouroethylene which is better known by the brand name Teflon. Non stick, slippery and available in solid, liquid and powder forms.
 
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