MY 2001 subaru forester sunroof is not closing completely

Just out of curiosity, is it the motor that is faulty or one of the guides has broken? what are the symptoms you are experiencing?
IF you have a diagnosis and it is in fact the motor, here's how you replace it.
1. Fully close the sunroof glass, disconnect batt negative.
2. Remove Roof trim
3. disconnect Motor harness
4. Remove sunroof motor mounting screw and nut.
After installing the new motor you have to reset the sunroof motor.

A tip to help diagnose if you are just guessing for inop motor
(1) Check fuse for blow-out.
(2) Check switch for improper function.
(3) Check motor for incorrect terminal voltage.
(4) Check relay for improper operation.
(5) Check poor grounding system.
(6) Check harness for open or short and terminals for poor connections.
(7) Check limit switch for improper operation.

limmit switch is bad . needs to be replaced

No way to tell really, it can be rapid temperature change caused by any number of condition.

The teeth on the arm might be stripped or the window motor might be dying. You will have to take off the door panel to see.

caution if it opens you may not be able to close it again, this sounds like the track broke or something in the motor. lets hope its the motor as if its the track then the whole track needs to be replaced, there is no repairing a broken sunroof track.

Replace knock sensor.

No cable, 99% are gear-drive. Dirt, water, debris got inside. May need to take it into Subaru and have them remove/clean and reinstall. Great SUV- I'd pay to have it done, its a Subaru.

I had this problem with my Scorpio. If you can open the roof electonically to the full extent, then try to open using the mechanical method. Fully grease all mechanical parts, ( loads of grease ) including the mechanical screws that operate the sunroof. Open and close aout 5 times to spread the grease. Get a tube of KY jelly or Vaslilene and really smear it on the felt (or simular, maybe be rubber) edge beading to allow i to fit snuggly into your roof and making a rain tight, this worked for me, hopefully t will work fo you.

Let me know.

Regards,

Dave

i've seen this problem before,what i've found is a bracket that holds the sunroof frame is not positioned properly ,i've found the rear most brackets causing this,generally it's the drivers side but passnger side should be looked at also,best way to repair is to remove headliner to get a ood view of the whole frame,good luck

welcome to the club.

i am going to give you the link to my oldsmobile aurora sunroof repair write up. it will explain what has happened to your sunroof and how to fix it.

the oldsmobile aurora and the bravada use the same exact sunroof

http://aurorah.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=1stgen&thread=16095