Forester moonroof problems (merged thread)

[jsr]

Same thing just happened on my '06 FXT. I found that if I manually (which, I guess, is to say digitally, since I used my fingers) held down the the metal lid that flips up until the misbehaving moonroof was about to slice them off the unit would close and seal O.K. This does not seem like a long-range solution.

[pleiad7]

To update the situation with my moonroof... It seems to have fixed itself. I waited out the end of the monsoon-like rains this spring until I even touched it again, and it appears that the gremlins have left for now even without the reset. I'm guessing that maybe some moisture seeped into the electric circuit and messed with the system, since all is fine now that things have dried out.

I've got a similar problem with my '05 XS. I was able to reproduce the problem for the service rep. It's been in the shop twice (not counting the initial one to reconfirm the problem): first time to replace the motor and just this week to replace the moon roof frame. Somewhere in there they replaced the cables too. Still has the problem. The rep said the only part that has not been replaced is the glass. Hmmm! He is going to investigate it further, but I have little hope of a resolution.

Like several of you, I can get it to close with short 'bursts' on the switch. Then again once in while it works fine.

I'll read about that motor reset, but since it is a new motor, I don't expect it to work.

Jim

[mikebike357]

<knocking on wood> mine has been problem free. But then again I don't open it very often because the Thule fairing rests on the glass so if I open the moonroof the fairing rattles against the sides of the moonroof opening.

[jsr]

Originally Posted by jsr

Same thing just happened on my '06 FXT. I found that if I manually (which, I guess, is to say digitally, since I used my fingers) held down the the metal lid that flips up until the misbehaving moonroof was about to slice them off the unit would close and seal O.K. This does not seem like a long-range solution.

Took this in to my dealer, who called Subaru. SOA is sending a new track fr the moonroof. Should be here soon.

JSR

Let us know if the new track fixes your problem. It did not fix mine and they knew it before it left the shop for the second time.

Jim

[Doug]

I experienced this problem for the first time yesterday on my 06. I noticed it wouldn't "one touch" open so I held the button down and found it would only open about 6 inches at a time before I would have to unpress and then depress the button again, "walking" it backward. Closing it I had the same problem and found myself walking it forward this time, and it seemed to shut without any problem.

I was certain I would come here and find that this was a semi-common problem with an easy fix, but it looks like I was being optimistic about the "easy fix". Reading this thread certainly hasn't made me feel any better.

Edit: A few days ago, the last time I used the moonroof successfully, it made an odd sound when closing... a weird mechanical strain sort of noise. Hard to describe, but odd enough for me to notice.

[Doug]

Finally had my moonroof checked into last week when having my windshield replaced... the main problem now being that the automatic deflector won't close; I have to manually hold it down for the moonroof to shut all the way.

I was told they were going to order a new moonroof assembly, which is the entire mechanism, glass and all. Apparently they don't sell individual components (unfortunate for those out of warranty).

Several days later I got a call from the parts mgr at the dealership saying that Subaru wanted me to bring my car back in so they could try something BEFORE replacing the entire assembly. Apparently SOA is noticing a lot of issues like mine and are working to determine the problem.

I drop it off on Wednesday. Will post with an update after that.

[Doug]

Today they tried the fix for the moonroof that SOA suggested; best explanation I could get was that they were going to try to adjust some tabs on the moonroof's track to meet the proper level of friction/resistance to get the deflector to work properly.

It didn't work, however.

The service manager said Subaru was having LOTS of reports like mine for the gigantic Forester moonroof; he even said they'd had a Tribeca in several weeks ago with a similar problem. Apparently Subaru is refusing to replace the moonroof under warranty just yet, the reason being that if the problem is so widespread then there's a good chance I would just end up with another faulty one. Instead they're still trying to diagnose the problem. The service mgr said hopefully there will at least be a TSB soon. Who knows when I'll hear back from them on that, or at least with another "suggestion" from SOA...

[VAXT]

Any updates on this problem????

I have a '06 that started doing this today.

[b4437]

mines been acting up for the last 3 months. i am just too lazy to go to the dealership.

[VAXT]

I did the reset today. It's working again - so far, so good!

[subaruforester_power]

I have the same issue with my 03 FXS I noticed it when I opened it all the way when it was 27F out to speak to someone outside the car..

I had to press press press until it closed all the way and it wont auto open or auto close.. very annoying.

[greentrees]

I too had this problem. The reset fixed it, and it came up again a month later. I reset it again and it's good so far...

[subaruforester_power]

so the pdf here is the reset?? If so it seems like a lot of wasteful effort to reset something.

I thought the Subaru had like a manual close screw hidden near the rearview mirror.