• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

air bags damaged sunroof?

S

stingray355

New member
My car was in a low speed incident but the stop was hard enough to deploy the air bags. The fact is it appears that most of the damage was actually caused by the airbags going off. The sunroof was closed, as were all of the windows when the bags deployed. Afterwards the rear of the sunroof is angled upwards, like it is in vent position. I have not used the switch to try to return it as it looks like the track may be missing a piece on each side and I read that I need to be careful that I don't screw up the timing of the mechanism. The sunroof always worked before and I have no reason to think it has any damage to the motor and switch. Anyone have experience with a sunroof damaged from airbags? How can I test it safely and if it is a broken track are their replacement tracks available? I have only found complete assemblies so far, motors and everything. Thanks for any help anyone can offer.
 


Yes in fact I have removed the glass to get a better look at the mechanism. The glass was in fact pushed up at the 6 , 3 per side, attachment points but even if you bottom out all of the available adjustment range it won't get the back of the track and glass if installed, level with the roof. The front was still pretty much where it is supposed to be but the rear angles up a couple of inches proud of the roof. I never looked at this before the incident so I am unfamilair with what it is supposed to look like .
I thought that this might be something that happens during an airbag deployment and someone on this forum would be familiar with the issue. As I mentioned most of the cost of repair has come from the airbags going off on what was a very low speed, in a driveway, incident. I now have a broken windshield ( the car has HUD) cracked dash and I think I have to replace not only the two bags but maybe a couple of other components as well. I am hoping to avoid adding a new sunroof to the list and hope there is a simple inexpensive fix.
 
Hence why you let insurance do it. either way though,...

Have you tried operating the sunroof w/o the glass to ensure it's not in the up position ?
 


I have not touched the control switch. Obviusly that would be great news if it worked. I just tried it and it will move all the way back with express open then when I try to close it it stops back in the tilted position I described. I took some photos and it looks like the track has some ragged openings that may be damage from the roof panel being blown vertical by the overpressure. I will try to send a couple of them with this or separately. If the track needs to be replaced anyone know if it can be done without replacing everything? Thanks for the help.
 
I bet it is the same or similar sunroof how did you do it? Here is a photo I will post another in a few minutes. Thanks
 

Attachments

  • DSCN5191 copy.jpg
    DSCN5191 copy.jpg
    84.8 KB · Views: 23
Last edited:
I had the FSM (service manual) for the car. Followed the basics of it. Plus..having removed one at a junkyard first..you have the practice. Bonne headliner was a pain, you had remove 3/4 of the interior to get it out.
 
so you replaced the entire sunroof not just the tracks? It appears that there are a couple of places on the track that have blown out, literally. I hoped to be able to repair it as it is otherwise perfect. That said many things are not servicable at the component level and I have yet to find "tracks" listed as a replacement part.
 

Attachments

  • DSCN5197 copy.jpg
    DSCN5197 copy.jpg
    53.6 KB · Views: 15


I'd hit the u pull it junkyard and grab what's needed. Looks like you might be an 04+. Jteske88 has replaced his glass a few times and maybe the rest of it. He might be able to shed some light on things.
 
I just took a quick look at Ebay and found some with free shipping, of course nothing is free. I want to try to repair this one but if I can't what do you want for yours? Thanks
 
I am new to this forum. How can I send you a direct message or communicate other than with posts on the site. I am interested but would like to know what it is exactly and discuss shipping details and payment. Can you point me in the right direction ? Thanks
 


No my son was learning to drive and in a driveway he hit the gas instead of the brake and quickly hit an automatic gate that was in front of the car. It damaged the bumper cover and lower control arm, both easy repairs. But the airbags deployed and broke the windshield and sunroof. I really like the car it is a loaded GTP and drives great , gets almost 30 MPG on the highway and has been very reliable. It is easy to understand why these cars have such a loyal group of owners, to bad they are a dwindling resource.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top