Sunroof / Moonroof: Description and Operation
POWER TOP - SUNROOFDESCRIPTION
The power sunroof system allows the sunroof to be opened, closed or placed in the vent position electrically by actuating a switch in the overhead console. The sunroof system receives battery feed through a fuse in the Power Distribution Center (PDC). The sunroof will operate normally with the key in any position while the Accessory Delay system is active.
The sunroof glass panel tilts upward at the rear for ventilation and slides rearward under the roof when open. The panel seals flush with the roof in the closed position to eliminate wind noise. The sunroof includes a manual-sliding sunshade to cover the deep-tinted glass panel.
In addition to the standard power sunroof operation, this vehicle offers several additional features. There is an express (one-touch) opening and closing feature as well as Excessive Force Limitation (EFL). The EFL function detects obstacles trapped between the glass and the vehicle roof during a closing motion. Upon sensing an obstacle the EFL function will reverse direction of the glass to allow removal of the obstacle.
The main components of the power sunroof system are:
- The motor/module assembly
- The power sunroof glass and frame assembly
- The power sunroof switch
- The manual-sliding sunshade
OPERATION
This vehicle has a vent, tilt and slide power sunroof system with express (one-touch) open and closing feature. The sunroof system receives constant battery feed through a fuse in the Power Distribution Center (PDC). The sunroof will operate normally with the key in any position while the Accessory Delay system is active. If the sunroof is moving when the key is turned to the START position (crank engine), all motions stop until the key is released, then the previously requested sunroof motion will resume. The sunroof will also complete a requested motion if the Accessory Delay system goes inactive while the motion is in progress.
A combination push-button and rocker switch module mounted in the overhead console controls sunroof operation. The sunroof switch is a rocker design with a push button in the center of the two halves of the rocker. Pressing the rocker towards the front of the car commands the sunroof closed. Pressing the rocker towards the rear of the car commands the sunroof open. Pressing the center push button commands the sunroof up into the vent position (Rear of sunroof glass raises above the vehicle roof with glass still covering the sunroof opening). All switch commands operate with the glass starting in any position.
An electronic control system, integral to the motor/module assembly, provides the express open and close functions. Pressing the 9open9 or 9close9 end of the rocker switch moves the sunroof glass panel to the full open or full closed position, respectively. During express closing, anytime an obstacle is detected in the way of the glass, the motor will stop and reverse travel to avoid pinching an occupant's finger, ice in the track, etc. This function is called Excessive Force Limitation (EFL). There are two methods of overriding the EFL function.
1. When three EFL events occur without the glass being allowed to fully close, the next close attempt will only move while the close switch is continuously actuated. This allows the sunroof to be forced closed if multiple close attempts fail.
2. If the sunroof close switch is continuously actuated during an EFL event, through the reversal, and during a two second wait time, then continuing to hold the close switch will cause the roof to move towards close with the EFL protection disabled. This allows the sunroof to be forced closed if it is known that a reversal will occur.
While in EFL override, the closing motion will cease if the sunroof switch is released at any time.
The motor/module is programmed to learn the speed required to drive the panel based on position and recalibrates itself as needed. If the sunroof becomes uncalibrated, it will only respond to the vent switch. If the vent switch is pressed, the glass will move toward vent; if the switch is released, all motion stops. In the event that the sunroof system becomes uncalibrated perform the sunroof position calibration procedure. Sunroof Position Calibration