Noticing jeep grand Cherokee panoramic sunroof problems for a while? If so, here are some common causes and instant fixes which can help you out!
Panoramic sunroofs have been extremely appealing for car owners of all times. They are operated either manually or automatically and can be part-way on warmer days for more ventilation. On the other hand, when the weather is pleasant and you want to have the utmost fun from your highway driving, you can open it completely to get a convertible-like feel.
All in all, the double pane panoramic sunroofs featured in the Jeep Grand Cherokee are the best to witness the beauty of nature and enjoy the sun, stars, and fresh air during your cruise. However, many car owners have reported that their jeep grand Cherokee’s panoramic sunroofs started to have some technical and nontechnical problems after a few years. If you are also one of those car owners, you are on the right page.
Today, we’re going to pen down some common Jeep Grand Cherokee panoramic sunroof problems, their causes, and their quick fixes. So keep reading so you can have the most fun out of your daily journeys, without any hassle regarding sunroof operations. Let’s begin!
Common jeep grand cherokee panoramic sunroof problems
Below are some common problems reported by the owners of jeep grand Cherokee, the causes behind these issues, and how you can fix them quickly!
Sunroof leaks
The most common and most disastrous problem to deal with is sunroof leaks and there could be numerous reasons behind it. For example, the rubber seals which seal the sunroof edges might have worn out, causing the water to drip through them.
Likewise, the drain tube which is used to drain the water above the sunroof might have clogged. The good part is, both of these issues are not too expensive to fix since all you have to do is either replace the worn rubber seals or clean the clogged drain.
To clean the drain holes, get something long, flexible, and stiff but not sharp. A weed Wacker wire or a small piece of electric wire will work. Using this wire, clean the drain holes by fishing the wire gently in and out of the holes. You can also clean the buildup debris with a vacuum compressor. Whatever the cleaning method you use, it hardly takes ten minutes to open the clogged holes. Cleaning drain holes annually will reduce the chances of sunroof leaks dramatically.
Sunroof doesn’t open
Nothing could cause more panic to a car owner than an inoperable sunroof. Such issues are usually caused by a broken fuse, a dead motor, a snagged cable, or a decayed electric switch. Besides such major electric failures, the reasons behind this problem could be as small as uncleaned gears.
As your Jeep grand Cherokee ages, dirt and debris may get stuck in its gears, causing the sunroof to stick where it is. Depending upon the severity of the root cause, a stuck sunroof repair may cost around $150-$4000. If you suspect that the sunroof isn’t operating due to dirt buildup in the gears, you can fix this problem yourself.
All you need to do is take out the sunroof glass panel and check the gears. Clean these gears thoroughly but if the problem doesn’t solve even after that, it’s better to take your vehicle to an auto repair shop.
After gears, the first thing to check is the fuses and wires. Get a multimeter to test the switch and wiring for a short circuit. If the multimeter doesn’t detect any resistance, it means no wire is broken.
Sunroof makes strange noises
If you own a jeep grand Cherokee with a panoramic sunroof, you must have noticed the squeaky sounds it makes when being opened. These sounds become much louder and more intense as you pass across road bumps or take turns.
The common cause of these squeaky noises is crud and dirt that get trapped on the rubber seals. Thus, the only solution to lessen these sounds is to clean the rubber seals using a damp rag or a mild rubber cleaner. Start with wiping down the rubber gasket, then clean the frame opening, and end with wiping the glass edges.
If you don’t have silicon grease, don’t wipe the tracks out otherwise you end up leaving these tracks unlubricated. On the other hand, if you hear scraping or popping sounds, it indicates mechanical issues, slipping gears, or components that require lubricating. So on noticing any of these sounds, clean and lubricate the moonroof thoroughly.
However, if these unusual sounds are still audible, it’s better to take your vehicle to a pro. Don’t delay your visit to the repair shop since many owners have reported that their sunroofs give off the same popping and creaking sounds right before shattering out.
Sunroof seems to be slow
As your vehicle ages, the sunroof might start to seem stuck or slow. If that’s the case, inspect all the moving components of your sunroof. Search for dirt and debris, or stripped or cracked gears. After diagnosing and fixing the error, open your sunroof completely, then cycle it through the vent and close the position. This will help you to evaluate the area where the sunroof is stuck or operating slowly.
However, if after a few cycles, the sunroof starts running smoothly, clean all the gaskets and end the maintenance procedure by applying a heat resistant, lightweight grease to all the moving parts. However, if you still notice that the sunroof is stuck and not operating with the desired efficiency, take your Jeep to a certified car mechanic since the problem might be in the circuitry.
Sunroof doesn’t close completely
There could be many mechanical and electrical reasons why your sunroof doesn’t close completely. For example, a wire malfunctioning or a broken electric motor might prevent your sunroof panels from closing completely. Likewise, if a part is broken, it may also get stuck in the operation track, causing the moonroof immobility.
Thus, to diagnose the exact problem, you need to check every part for damage. Start by inspecting your left arm. If these arms have gotten stuck in the closed or opened position, it will prevent the sunroof from moving at all. So, to fix this issue, you need to first remove the glass panels of your sunroof and free the sunroof cables entangled in your lift arm.
Besides lifting arms, check the motor and wire for malfunctioning using a screwdriver and multimeter. Lastly, clean all the moving parts and sunroof cables regularly since doing so will keep these components from getting damaged. Otherwise, the major components of the sunroof like cables and circuitry could be extremely difficult and costly to replace and repair.
FAQs
Yes, like typical sunroofs, panoramic sunroofs may also leak due to the dirt and vegetation build-up in the drain holes. Therefore, it’s important to clean the drain holes regularly and check the rubber gaskets for leaks and damage. How do you maintain a panoramic sunroof? There are three main things you need to do to maintain your panoramic sunroof’s efficiency and service life; clean it regularly, lubricate all the moving parts monthly, and undergo detailed maintenance annually. Does a panoramic sunroof affect safety? According to the safety test results, panoramic sunroofs don’t affect the structural integrity of your vehicle. However, we should also keep in mind that these rooftops are weaker than those made up of steel so you shouldn’t expect the same level of safety from them.
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