Noisy/Rattles

Figure 2 - Glass Panel Rattle - Bracket Alignment:

Comments of Lifter Arms Rattle, Glass Panel Rattles, Excessive Vertical Play at Rear of Glass

Rattles and looseness at the rear of the glass panel when in the closed position may be caused by looseness in the lifter arm linkages. This condition can be caused by mispositioned or improperly bent glass panel mounting brackets. If pushing up on the rear of the glass panel results in more than 1/8" of movement or causes a "clunking" noise, use the following procedure to reduce glass panel movement:

1. Remove the glass panel and turn upside down on a clean, non-abrasive surface.

2. Using pliers or channel locks, bend the six panel attaching brackets so they are 90~ to the glass panel surface. Refer to Figure 2.
3. Reinstall and adjust the glass panel.

Operate the sunroof to ensure proper functioning. If the mounting brackets are bent too far during the above procedure, two conditions may occur: 1) the sunroof may operate slowly due to increased friction; 2) the track may interfere with the lifter arms when closing from vent position causing a loud popping noise. To repair these conditions use the following procedure:

1. Readjust the center mounting tabs slightly outboard. This can be accomplished without removing the glass by applying force to the screw head from the inside. Position a dull punch on the screw head and tap with a hammer. Readjustment will eliminate the interference condition and should relieve some of the friction.

2. Operate the sunroof to verify that the condition has been eliminated.

3. If the glass panel continues to move slowly, make a slight outboard adjustment to the front and rear mounting tabs on each side of the panel.

For warranty purposes use Labor Operation T6349 at .5 hour.

Reoccurring Glass Panel Rattles and/or Looseness

When glass panel rattles or looseness reoccur over time, perform the following steps only on the vehicles specified for each procedure. Both of the following corrections have been implemented into production vehicles during the months noted. These changes have been made to limit movement of the lifter arm when the glass panel is closed.

Vehicles Built Prior To October, 1989 Without Vinyl Tops - In October, 1989, the lifter arm guide pin slot was reduced to prevent looseness of the glass panel linkage when the glass is closed. The new lifter arms were implemented on Sevilles at VIN LU803080 and on Eldorados at VIN LU604077. Use a build date of October, 1989, as the breakpoint for good parts on DeVilles/Fleetwoods.

On vehicles built prior to the breakpoint replace the lifter arms using the part numbers listed below. Reference 1990 Service Information Manual, Section 10-9, for removal and installation procedure.

Lifter Arm P/N

Left 12504123
Right 12504124

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
Do not use these lifter arms on vehicles with full vinyl tops. These arms will not provide adequate adjustment for proper glass panel alignment to the vinyl top retainer ring. Proper adjustment of the glass panel and mounting tabs should be sufficient to eliminate rattles on vehicles with vinyl tops.

To verify parts stock for the updated lifter arms, look for the number stamped on the inside section of the arm. New lifter arms will be stamped 1186-A-3100 A.B. or 1186-A-3101 A.B.

For warranty purposes use Labor Operation T6428 at .6 hour.

Figure 3 - Sunroof Track Pivot Plates:

Vehicles Built Prior To December, 1988 - Replace the lifter arm pivot plates with thicker parts. This change was implemented into production in early December, 1988. Parts requirements are as follows:

Pivot Plate Kit: 12500028 - includes RH and LH pivot plates and six rivets (four black, two silver). Only the black rivets are used.

Replace the pivot plates with new, thicker pivot plates using the following procedure:

1. Open the glass panel to the full back position.

2. Remove headliner trim lace and pull headliner loose at the side and back of the sunroof opening in the pivot plate locations. Refer to Figure 3 to locate pivot plates.
3. Tape underside of housing to contact rivet slug. Place tape over cable opening in track to prevent drill shavings from entering track.

4. Use a 7/32" (5 mm) drill to remove only the head of the rivet, two rivets each side. Use caution not to drill through the housing or headliner. Drilling through the housing may make the hole too large for the rivets supplied in the kit.
5. Carefully knock out the rivet slugs and remove tape from underside of housing. Remove metal shavings and tape from top of tracks. Use of an air hose to blow the drill shavings from the housing is not recommended as some shavings may be blown into the cable track.

6. Remove two pivot plates by prying up to release plate from the track.

7. Position the new pivot plate (from kit, P/N 12500028) onto the track lining up the rivet holes. The plates are identified as right-hand (RH) or left-hand (LH) on the bottom side. Tap the plate with a hammer to seat it over the raised staking area on the track. Ensure that the plate is flush to the track surface prior to riveting.

8. Secure the two pivot plates using the four black rivets supplied in the kit.

9. Reinstall headliner and trim lace.

For warranty purposes use Labor Operation T6429 at .6 hour.

Figure 4 - Glass Panel Loop Material Locations:

Isolation of Sunshade, Air Deflector, Shield

To isolate components and eliminate rattles in the rest of the sunroof assembly, complete all of the following steps on 1988 and 1989 vehicles. Add loop material (soft loop half of hook-and-loop fastener system, such as Velcro(R) or Scotchmates(R) Hook and Loop Fastener, 3M P/N 06480) in the following locations as required:

1. Remove sunshade. Open glass panel part way.

2. Add loop material (40 mm long) at the front of the glass panel on the underside. Refer to Figure 4 for locations. This prevents air deflector rattles against the bottom of the glass panel.
3. Add a small pad (10 mm) of loop material at the top front corners of the track. Locate pad so deflector rests on it when closed.

Figure 5 - Restrike Sunshade Toggle Locks:

4. Add loop material, approximately 70 mm long, on the top (back side) of the sunshade in the area of the reinforcement. Refer to Figure 5 for locations.

5. Add one piece of loop material at the rear of the sunshade, approximately 50 mm long, wrapped around the edge at the center.
6. Reinstall sunshade.

For warranty purposes use Labor Operation T6345 at .6 hour (1988 and 1989 vehicles only).

Figure 6 - Restrike Sunshade Toggle Locks:

Sunshade "Ticking" Noise

Some sunshades on 1988 through early 1990 may exhibit a "ticking" noise when traveling over bumps or due to road vibrations. This sound may be caused by a loose attachment of the sunshade reinforcement.

To determine if the sunshade is the cause of such a noise, carefully remove it from the vehicle. Holding the sunshade on either side, gently twist back and forth while listening for the sound at the rear of the reinforcement. If a "ticking" sound is heard, perform the following procedure:

1. Place the sunshade upside down on a clean surface.

2. Using a chisel and a hammer, restrike the 12 toggle locks located at the sides and along the back of the reinforcement. Strike each toggle area twice, in an "X" pattern, as shown in Figure 6.
3. Apply a small bead of standard, black weatherstrip adhesive along the rear edge of the reinforcement.

For warranty purposes use Labor Operation T6430 at .2 hour. If the above rework does not eliminate the ticking noise, replace the sunshade using Labor Operation B2900 at .2 hour.

NOTE: A new sunshade with a welded reinforcement was implemented in production in October, 1989. Welded sunshades are easily identified due to the lack of the toggle lock "bumps" around the reinforcement.