Not all sunroof systems use an electrically controlled sunshade.
To view the locations of the sunroof system components, refer to Master Electrical Component List
The sunroof system consists of a glass panel, sunshade, sunroof motor/module, sunshade
motor/module or manual sunshade, sunroof slide and/or tilt switches, sunshade switch, and the body
control module (BCM). The electrical portion of the system controls the movement of the sunroof and
sunshade (if equipped). The BCM communicates with the sunroof and sunshade motor/module to enable
or disable sunroof and sunshade operation. The sunroof and sunshade motors/modules provide system
status and diagnostic information to the BCM for diagnostic reporting and operational purposes. The
sunroof and sunshade are each controlled by the integrated motor/controller containing the necessary
electronics, motor, hall effect position sensors, as well as the interface to the driver control switches.
Each motor/controller is capable of controlling motion based on control switch activation and commands
from the BCM. The sunroof and sunshade operation is interdependent on some vehicles, in which case
they are controlled by the BCM. If the system is overloaded, the power supply is temporarily cut off.
Sunroof and Sunshade Control Switches
The sunroof slide, tilt, and sunshade slide open/close operations are controlled by switches. Some
switches may support express open/close operation. Not all vehicles are equipped with all three
switches and the behavior of the sunroof for each switch press is vehicle dependent. Some
vehicles may have a tilt switch while others may have a vent feature linked to the slide switch.
Not all vehicles are equipped with an electrically controlled sunshade, thus lacking the sunshade
switch.
System Protection
Normal operation of the sunroof system may be altered when system protection is engaged.
Obstacle or Blockage Detection
Obstacle detection is active while the sunroof or sunshade opening is approximately 4–200 mm
(0.16–7.87 in) when moving in the closing direction. When an obstacle is detected in this range,
the motion in the closing direction will stop and the sunroof/sunshade will reverse direction for a
short distance. The reversal will complete regardless of operating mode. If the travel is outside
the range defined above, the sunroof/sunshade motor will continue closing until it detects a motor
stall condition or the system is at one of the defined stops.
Motor Stall
If the sunroof or sunshade is moving in the open or close direction and stops moving for 350 ms
while a command is active, and no obstacle has been detected, the motor will be turned off to
prevent overheating.
Sunroof System Thermal Protection
The sunroof/sunshade controllers have a thermal protection algorithm to protect the
sunroof/sunshade controls and motors from damage due to overheating conditions resulting from
immoderate switch actuations. The thermal protection algorithm will cause any new
sunroof/sunshade open commands to be ignored until the motors cool. A defined number of close
requests are allowed during an over temperature condition. If the thermal protection is triggered
during an obstacle detection event, the sunroof/sunshade reversal will finish first.
Sunroof and Sunshade Coordination
For vehicles with an electrically controlled sunshade, the BCM will command the sunshade to open
to predefined positions based on the requested sunroof position. This interaction may also prohibit
the sunshade from closing past these points depending on the sunroof position. Faults on the
sunroof or sunshade motor/module circuits will disable the system.
Opening
If the sunroof is opened anywhere between the fully closed and vent position, the BCM will
command the sunshade to a minimum open position provided that the sunshade is not opened
adequately at the time of the sunroof command. If the sunroof receives an open or express open
command beyond vent position, the BCM will command the sunshade to open approximately
halfway if the sunshade is not opened adequately. This position corresponds to a point behind the
leading edge of a fully opened sunroof glass.
Closing
The sunshade can only be closed completely with the sunshade switch if the sunroof is completely
closed. If the sunroof is opened past the vent position, the sunshade will not be allowed to close
past the halfway point.
Service Tool Commanded Open
When a service tool commands the sunshade to open, it results in the sunshade moving to the
half way position or to the fully open position depending on the calibration. If the half way point is
calibrated on, this position is as far as the sunshade can be opened with the service tool. To go
beyond this point a switch activation must be used.
Rear Sunshade Operation
If equipped, the rear window sunshade is controlled by a switch with open, close, express open,
and express close functionality.