my sunroof one side of it wont open, one side of it will but the other half wont, then when i shut it it makes a racheting noise coming from it. anyone have any answers for me, preferably the cheap way

its a 1999 dodge neon R/T

 

pretty sure its the motor. i think i've heard of getting the 2nd gen sunroof motor cause they use metal gears instead of the plastic gears in our 1st gen. sunroofs.

 

WHICH EVER SIDE IS NOT OPENING THE CLAMP IN THE TRACK THAT HOLDS THE ROD MAY BE BROKE. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM .GO TO THE JUNKYARD ITS A LOT CHEAPER THAN THE DEALER.ITS NOT HARD TO FIX JUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO STRIP THE BOLTS IN THE WINDOW .HAPPY HUNTING.

 

This could seem complicated, but it's not.Start by removing the glass panel from the roof. Be careful not to strip the rails when reinstalling the 6 torx head screws ( the rails are aluminum, and the screws are not). The "clicking" is the gear on the motor over riding the cables. there is a simple fix for this. You need the updated locator guide kit, available from the dealer for around 30 bucks. It comes with instructions. The roof opening 2 inches when "vented" is a timing issue which you will need to take care of when you install the locator kit. To time the motor, you remove it from the mount, then you run it into the vent position till it stops (using the "vent" switch) the motor should stop after about 2-3 seconds, if not run it in the closing direction for about 5 seconds and retry "venting". once it has reached the "vent" position reinstall the motor with the rails evenly set in the vent position.
Here is a link to the TSB with part numbers to help you
http://home.wi.rr.com/threeblackneons/sunroof_tsb.htm



Thank MR340 for that - fixed mine when i had the same prob.

 

If you have not already done the locator update, I would start with that. It is the cause of the "ratcheting" sound. As a separate issue,you may also have a broken cable guide on the rail (I'm gonna guess it;s the drivers side giving you a problem). That also has a cheap ($2) fix.
A pic of what a broken rail looks like is attached. If you need more info, just ask.


[IMG]local://upfiles/16801/2A5E33610535449F9367C8F1E1CE2D4C.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/16801/BA105C5FF3A94DCB88A4718CE569ED93.jpg[/IMG]

 

ya thats exactly what is broke...HA and on the drivers side also