Performing routine maintenance on the sunroof of your Chevy Cobalt will keep it functioning smoothly. Check with your dealer if your sunroof simply stops working. There is a technical service bulletin listed for this problem, but no specific model years are mentioned.
Take down the interior molding and the headliner that cover the top of your Chevy Cobalt so you can access the sunroof. Take a photograph beforehand so you can return each piece to its proper location after repairs are complete.
Remove all the screws, clips and bolts that hold your sunroof to the body of your vehicle. Make sure you put them in a safe spot until you're ready to reinstall your sunroof.
Unplug your sunroof's power source. It's located behind the body of the sunroof, near the rear of the car.
Ask someone to help you lift the sunroof up and away from the vehicle so you don't damage the car or the sunroof.
Pull the rubber gasket out of its channel. Use a plastic scraper to remove any remaining rubber or adhesive. If the channel is rusting, clean it out and paint it with Rustoleum to prevent further corrosion.
Install the new rubber gasket into the channel, pushing the outer lip in first, followed by the inner lip. Check for wrinkles and gaps. Lift the gasket and reinstall it at those locations until the liner lays smoothly and evenly in the channel.
Return the sunroof to its original position, checking frequently to make sure it's level. Once the sun roof is back in place, you can replace the headliner and interior trim pieces as well.
Park your Chevy Cobalt on a level surface and look at the sunroof. Make sure it's seated properly, not lifted or raised at one side or corner. If you see such warping, it's an indication the tracks need cleaning, or that the rubber seal needs to be replaced.
Clean the rubber seal around the exterior of your sunroof with damp, lint-free cloth. Look for cracks, gaps or excessive wear in the seal. Replace it if you find such defects, to prevent leaking in the interior of your Chevy Cobalt.
Remove the interior trim and allow the cloth that covers the ceiling of your Chevy Cobalt to drop down so you can access the tracks to your sunroof. Use compressed air to blow out debris and lubricate the tracks with 3-in-One Lubricant.
Locate the four drain tubes that remove excess water from your sunroof. Use compressed air to blow any debris or clogs from the drains. Note that two of these tubes drain to the front of your vehicle. Two drain to the rear, usually behind the tail lights.
