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.

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.

Normal operation of the sunroof system may be altered when system protection is engaged.

Obstacle detection is active when moving in the closing direction and while the sunroof or sunshade opening is approximately 4–200 mm (0.16–7.87 in). 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If equipped, the rear window sunshade is controlled by a switch with open, close, express open, and express close functionality.