Friday, June 1, 2012

Easy Ford Focus Sunroof Reprogram

I drove to work today in my 2002 Ford Focus SVT with my sunroof open and windows down and everything worked fine. When I got to work, I closed the sunroof and still everything worked fine. When I went back out after work, I tried to open my sunroof and it wouldn't open. While jamming the button trying to get it to work, I hit the forward side of the button and it started venting, but then, of course, when I tried to close it with the backward side of the button, it still didn't work.

I got home and was all set to tear the button out and diagnose a wiring problem or something, but decided to call a Ford dealer first and surprisingly they were actually very helpful. They told me that this is a relatively common problem and that what's happening is the logic controller for the sunroof got confused somehow, but that it is easily reprogramed. In fact, the steps for the reprogram are right in the owners manual for the car.






Here's what you have to do:
  1. Fully vent the sunroof with the forward side of the button (tilt the back of the sunroof up all the way)
  2. Press the same button (the forward part that closes/vents the sunroof) again and hold it for about 30 seconds - the owners manual says to hold it until you see the sunroof move, but mine never did so maybe don't worry so much about that
  3. Then release and immediately re-push the same button holding it again - this time it should start moving. It should close, then slide backwards all the way, then slide forward all the way and end up closed again. Don't release the button until it is fully closed (if you accidentally do, then just start this process over again at step 1)
Your sunroof should now be fully functioning again. If you press the backward button now, it should open exactly like it is supposed to. If there is some sort of larger malfunction in the unit, it will enter safety mode on step 3 and will move in about 2 second intervals - if this happens you just need to keep pushing the button over and over until it closes and then you need to probably bring it in to have it diagnosed.

Good luck and happy driving!

15 comments:

  1. Thanks really helpful worked first time

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  2. I have this exact problem and the above steps resolve it for as long as the car is running. But the next time I drive it the problem is back and the moonroof needs resetting again. Any guidance?

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  3. What if the sunroof won't open to vent? It worked yesterday, but not today. How can I do the reset when it won't do anything? (Turning the car off and waiting for a while didn't help)

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  4. It worked!!!! Thanks for posting this!

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  5. My sunroof sinks down but won't slide because unless it's really hot outside the driver side won't sink below the roof but the passenger side does

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  6. Just read these steps to my fiancee. He is overjoyed that the sunroof works again. Thank you very much for posting this.

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  7. I am so glad I found this (while searching for a replacement switch) because it worked!! I have been tolerating crazy sunroof behavior for a while, thinking I would have to replace the switch. But after reprogramming, it works good as new! Thank you!

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  8. mine wont close....so will this work?

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  9. Thank you so much! Works as described.

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  10. 1st try to check motor at driven gear with attach cable spring railing.normally its have something many deposit can made gear stuck its.clean if need.
    2nd..try to adjust motor tensioner for anti clockwise to slowly with using the allen key bolt a.k.a allen plug at the same time to press the switch on/off.good luck bro..

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  11. Worked! Thank you! (instructions on the owners manual!!) RTFM!

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