You open your sunroof and hear a squeak or a cracking noise. The sunblind moves in fits and starts, and something rattles in the roof whenever you drive over a bump. I know how annoying that is. A sunroof or panoramic roof is a lovely feature to have, but the runners and moving parts need a little attention now and then. Neglect them, and that's when the trouble starts.
Why is my sunroof squeaking and sticking?
- The lubricant on the runners has dried out or become contaminated.
- Dust and leaves have built up inside the mechanism.
- The plastic sliders have worn out.
- The mechanism has shifted, so the glass no longer sits properly.
Why does the sunblind keep getting stuck?
- The runners are full of dirt.
- The spring has become bent or broken.
- The electric sunblind motor has developed a fault.
How do we fix a squeaking sunroof?
- We clean the old lubricant and accumulated dirt from the runners.
- We apply the correct lubricant. Not just whatever happens to be lying around.
- We check the sunroof drains and clean them.
- We adjust the glass if it isn't sitting properly.
- We reset the sunroof when necessary.
Don't spray general-purpose lubricant or WD-40 onto your sunroof runners. You could wash away the proper lubricant and attract even more dust. Then the squeaking comes back, sometimes worse than before.
Why does the sunroof need resetting?
After a battery replacement or repair, the sunroof can sometimes forget its fully open and closed positions. Suddenly, it stops opening or closing automatically. Resetting it teaches the mechanism how far it needs to travel again. On many models, you can do this using the sunroof button, but others need a diagnostic tool.
What happens when the sunroof drains get blocked?
Your sunroof has drain tubes running down through the pillars. If they get blocked, water can find its way into the cabin, soaking the headlining, running down the pillars and even collecting beneath the floor mats. And believe me, that's the last place you want water. That's why we check and clean the drains whenever we service a sunroof.
A tip from Kris Mladenov: Once or twice a year, open your sunroof and give the area around the frame a quick clean with a vacuum cleaner. Leaves and dust are among the most common causes of sunroof squeaks.
If your sunroof is squeaking or letting water into the cabin, bring your car to Das Auto Service. We'll check the mechanism and drains, clean and lubricate the runners, and adjust the sunroof if needed.
Read more
- Interior repairs
- Electrical faults and control modules
- What should I check on my sunroof and drains after winter?
- Water in the cabin: blocked sunroof and windscreen scuttle drains
- Damp inside the car in autumn: misted-up windows and musty smells
Frequently asked questions
What should I use to lubricate my sunroof?
Use the right lubricant for the sunroof runners, my friend, not a general-purpose spray.
Why has my sunroof stopped closing automatically?
This often happens after changing the battery. It might simply need resetting.
Where is the water getting in through my sunroof?
Blocked sunroof drain tubes are usually to blame.