Toyota Repair: 2004 Toyota Camry XLE sunroof, toyota camry xle, toyota camry

Question
Hello Ted,

You seem to be as reliable as experts get here, so I'm hoping you can steer me in the right direction.

My car is a 2004 Toyota Camry XLE, with approximately 52,000 miles on it (and change).

A couple of months ago, I was driving with the sunroof on tilt. When I went to close it, there seemed to be some louder clicking noises, and instead of closing, it opened half-way. I tried repeatedly to get it to close, but it would only open fully, or it would close completely and immediately re-open half-way.

I had to (with a friend) actually hold the button so it would close, then (while it was closed for a second) quickly shut off the car and take out the key. It remained closed, and I didn't really touch it since.

We did find a small black piece of plastic in the track that looked to have broken from something.

Well, today being a nice sunny day, I opened the sunroof to tilt again. I went to close it, and it clicked very loudly, seemed to try to close, but really wouldn't budge. I read some things online that said to "reinitialize it" (or something), and I held the tilt button for a few seconds (it tilts up and down slightly), then released it and held it again - at which point I can hear the motor working - but it remained tilted up, and would not close (despite the motor sound like it was moving).

I can see that there is something moving in the track, corresponding to the motor moving, but the roof was stuck in the tilted up position. I eventually got it to close (I do not know how tightly) by using something to manually push the levers (I don't know the terms, I apologize) and slowly get the roof to close.

It is closed now. I didn't have any problems with the sunroof (which I use often - and almost daily during the warmer months) until January, and now I'm afraid of how much it may cost to fix.

Is there something I can look into, or something I can try, before taking it to the dealership? I appreciate any help you can give.

Thanks,
Mike Bromley

Answer
Hello initializing won't work since there is a mechanical failure and a piece broke off,most likely a part of one of the cable assemblies or the track, there are no parts available other than the cable assemblies, the motor and the whole guide assembly, to replace anything except the motor or switches the headliner has to be removed and the enitre sunroof assembly taken out of the car which is going to be expensive, somewhere around $1,000 parts and labor.