Sunroof motor location!

[sunnyputt18]

Like a grinding noise? did it work earlier and then stopped?

Might be the sunroof is blocked and gringing noise means motors try to open, but cannot.

hello,
good morning. yea i would say grinding noise and coming from the A pillars.

 

[LonelyMS]

I would suggest to remove the motors and see if you can move the roof by hand

 

[LonelyMS]

Let me elaborate...

Mainly two things can go wrong with the sunroof, or mostly just one. Roof is "stucked", not because of faulty motors (which can happen thou) but because it was not maintained properly and now it wont slide the way it should.

So first establish if roof can move freely by hand. Then, if this is fine, move to motors and check if they rotate. Next check the cables.

But my bet is on the glass being stuck due to dirt or similar.

 

[sunnyputt18]

Let me elaborate...

Mainly two things can go wrong with the sunroof, or mostly just one. Roof is "stucked", not because of faulty motors (which can happen thou) but because it was not maintained properly and now it wont slide the way it should.

So first establish if roof can move freely by hand. Then, if this is fine, move to motors and check if they rotate. Next check the cables.

But my bet is on the glass being stuck due to dirt or similar.

Thank you for the information. please excuse my ignorance in this matter. is there a video for manually moving the sunroof as well as how to locate, remove the motor or the cables?

 

[LonelyMS]

I found this for removing the motor:

Post in thread 'Sunroof motor location!'
Sunroof motor location!

Once you do this you have to try to slide the sunroof, from the front to back, slightly prese up from inside. Once you get a hand of it its easy…but if its stucked maybe it wont move at all

 

[sunnyputt18]

I found this for removing the motor:

Post in thread 'Sunroof motor location!'
Sunroof motor location!

Once you do this you have to try to slide the sunroof, from the front to back, slightly prese up from inside. Once you get a hand of it its easy…but if its stucked maybe it wont move at all

thank you so much for the video. very thorough video and made it a breeze to get to the motor location, but i couldn't not figure out what to do next. i only tried this on the driver side. i also tried slide the sunroof from inside, but it wouldn't budge. also i found a loose cable which i couldn't figure the other end.

 

[LonelyMS]

I dont have this component installed next to the motor, but my best guess its the premium amplifier, correct?

It needs to be removed first to access the motor, follow this: Model S Service Manual | Tesla

step 8.

 

[sunnyputt18]

I dont have this component installed next to the motor, but my best guess its the premium amplifier, correct?

It needs to be removed first to access the motor, follow this: Model S Service Manual | Tesla

step 8.

Thank you for the link. Do i need remove the motors from both sides? Any suggestions on what that cable might be for?

 

[LonelyMS]

No idea about the cable, try to take a better picture of it...but I think i also see similar cable in the Tesla's service manual I posted?

About the roof...Both motors move the glass. Each on every side. And there is no way you will move the glass with motors attached, impossible. Thats why I'd disconnect them both.

Motors are attached to the cable which then hooks onto hinge that moves the glass:

So only to the marked hinges. The first hinge moves freely.

It would be really really good if you manage to move the glass at least a couple of inches, so both bolts gets exposed and then you can remove the glass and inspect better. Actually...my advice would be to try to move the glass as said, only to remove the glass from the bolts, then you can diagnose the problem better. Dont worry, my glass is still in place and will not move during driving, even thou both of my motors are disconnected. I just cannot drive above 100mph as the wind scares me

 

[KalJoMoS]

Any suggestions on what that cable might be for?

It’s commonly known as FAKRA connector (cable) used to get access to the car. Move it aside to the left, behind that metal bracket as there is the place where service will look for it.

 

[LonelyMS]

Is that old location for the fakkra? Isnt it behind the slot under the mcu?

 

[KalJoMoS]

Yes, on older car’s it was behind the small black plastic cover that has the fob sensor attached.

 

[sunnyputt18]

No idea about the cable, try to take a better picture of it...but I think i also see similar cable in the Tesla's service manual I posted?

About the roof...Both motors move the glass. Each on every side. And there is no way you will move the glass with motors attached, impossible. Thats why I'd disconnect them both.

Motors are attached to the cable which then hooks onto hinge that moves the glass:

View attachment 1051230

So only to the marked hinges. The first hinge moves freely.

It would be really really good if you manage to move the glass at least a couple of inches, so both bolts gets exposed and then you can remove the glass and inspect better. Actually...my advice would be to try to move the glass as said, only to remove the glass from the bolts, then you can diagnose the problem better. Dont worry, my glass is still in place and will not move during driving, even thou both of my motors are disconnected. I just cannot drive above 100mph as the wind scares me

really really appreciate the information. i'll get started on this project today and take some clear pictures while at it. will share the updates.

 

[sunnyputt18]

It’s commonly known as FAKRA connector (cable) used to get access to the car. Move it aside to the left, behind that metal bracket as there is the place where service will look for it.

thank you. i was hoping that it was for the sunroof lol

 

[LonelyMS]

Just dig in, ita not that hard if you are at least a semi mechanic guy.

Just bear in mind. You have a v1 sunroof, right? Tesla does not sell parts for it, and you might need a second hand one if ita available at all. But maybe some parts from v2 also fits on v1?

 

[sunnyputt18]

Just dig in, ita not that hard if you are at least a semi mechanic guy.

Just bear in mind. You have a v1 sunroof, right? Tesla does not sell parts for it, and you might need a second hand one if ita available at all. But maybe some parts from v2 also fits on v1?

i started working on the project on tuesday night. removed the panels on driver side and passenger side as well as unhooked all the wires, removed the particulate filter, HEPA Filter (i was flying thru this) but while working on disconnecting the battery had to stop because i couldn't find where the "first responder loop (X536)" is since i was working at night.

 

[LonelyMS]

hm, I dont think you need to disconnect the high voltage battery. It is for safety, but its very unlikely anything will go wrong?

 

[sunnyputt18]

hm, I dont think you need to disconnect the high voltage battery. It is for safety, but its very unlikely anything will go wrong?

ohhhhhhhhh...i was following the steps from the link you shared Model S Service Manual | Tesla ....well ill leave it where i stopped

 

[LonelyMS]

Jea they are a bit conservative and play on the safe card.

 

[GlmnAlyAirCar]

Jea they are a bit conservative and play on the safe card.

ohhhhhhhhh...i was following the steps from the link you shared Model S Service Manual | Tesla ....well ill leave it where i stopped

No it's still important to open the first responder loop. If you just disconnect the battery, and the HV contactors are already closed, they will remain closed. This will keep your 12V system powered. You need to disconnect the first responder loop to totally power down the 12V.