$1900 from dealer to replace sunroof motor...ugh

[OregonB]

So been trying to isolate the source of my '05 LX battery drain...just couldn't find it. As part of some unrelated work, we had the dealer try to track it down. Turns out a replacement had been done a year ago (not by dealer), the replacement sunroof motor is causing a 350mA drain on the system, enough to drain the battery every three or four days. Not complaining about the dealers' price for the fix, that's what they do. Just debating on whether I should just disconnect the unit (in the closed position, ha) and call it good. I'm planning on running this truck for many yrs, so resale not a huge issue. Rather spend the $ on a rear bumper honestly. Any other thoughts?

 

[Placemotorsports]

Can't you just pull the fuse to stop the power drain and put it back in when you want to use the sunroof?

 

[yamaguchigumi]

I have had cars with sunroofs for probably 20 years and have probably opened sunroofs on my cars only 20 times. If you are keeping the car I would spend the money somewhere else. I hate having things broken, but I would rarely miss being able to open it.

 

[OregonB]

I agree, I hate having things not working...but I use it rarely, and as an option on a new vehicle, I would never get it.
As for the fuse, *if* there is a dedicated circuit to just the sunroof, yeah, I'll just pull it and leave it the glove box.

 

[Riviera]

I've opened my sunroof twice in the year I have owned the car, once as I was buying it and once my wife accidentally opened it. They're just too expensive to fix, and I can usually get parts at a huge discount and labor at half price because I work at a dealership. Unless you use it all the time, I'd disconnect it and for get it.

 

[OregonB]

I've opened my sunroof twice in the year I have owned the car, once as I was buying it and once my wife accidentally opened it. They're just too expensive to fix, and I can usually get parts at a huge discount and labor at half price because I work at a dealership. Unless you use it all the time, I'd disconnect it and for get it.

Riviera, I don't have a circuit map in front of me - do you know if there's a sep dedicated circuit for the sunroof motor?

 

[bamabrock]

Could you take the headliner out and just unplug it?

check the sunroof drain tubes if you get in there.

 

[planomateo]

Riviera, I don't have a circuit map in front of me - do you know if there's a sep dedicated circuit for the sunroof motor?

2007 owners manual says #49 left kick panel, 25A fuse.

 

[Riviera]

According to page 330 of the owner's manual, it is a 25 amp fuse, located in position 49 in the fuse panel in the left side kick panel. FYI, the owner's manual can be pulled up from toyota's website

 

[cruzerDave]

Or maybe run a couple wires from the fuse box to the overhead console and mount a switch to kill power whenever you aren't using it?

I guess the hassle:benefit ratio depends on the temps where you live and your prefs; for me it's open at least once a week year round.

 

[yeti in ga]

I would not fix it , I opened mine a few years ago and could not get it to close.. Once I got it to close then that was it. It's a nice roof window..

 

[suprarx7nut]

I've never worked on the sunroof in the 100, but I can't imagine it's too terrible to get to. I bet you could open up that motor or inspect it's wiring and solve the drain. Could also take it to a local electrical supply place and pay a motor repair guy or electrician $100 to investigate and likely fix it.

Looks like pricing for that motor is $700, so I'm guessing most that dealer charge is labor and they likely charge labor for removal of the entire system when you may not have to actually remove the entire assembly, just the motor.

Or.... just pull the fuse and move on, haha.

 

[allan man]

If you use your sunroof as much as you put gas in your ride then by all means get it fixed.

 

[OregonB]

According to page 330 of the owner's manual, it is a 25 amp fuse, located in position 49 in the fuse panel in the left side kick panel. FYI, the owner's manual can be pulled up from toyota's website

thanks!

 

[WaterCruiser]

a thought (no i havent checked the circuit, but...) could it be a defective switch that might be trickling power to the motor? If there's corrosion involved on a stuck contact it might resist-down the voltage, the motor wouldn't have adequate energy to turn the armature but would consume what's in the battery. The switch assembly is also probably much easier to remove/inspect/test/replace

 

[OregonB]

I'm cutting my loss, disconnecting the wire. Any loss of enjoyment of he moon roof more than compensated for by not having to worry about having a draining battery in the backcountry.

 

[gatormark91]

Is that price to replace the sunroof motor, or the whole sunroof tray? The motor itself is a ten-minute job to swap. If that is the dealer's cost to replace, FIND A NEW MECHANIC. Get a used motor on eBay. It really only takes a screwdriver to get it out.

 

[planomateo]

For a LC, the list on the motor is $760.46, can purchased from a Toyota dealership for $512.04. Appears to be the same part number for 04LX.

Definitely something I'd fix at some point, I use my sunroof often.