My power sunroof stops closing a moment after I push the button. I let off, press the button again and it continues closing only to stop again. I let off again, press the button yet again... I have to do this repeatedly until it closes all the way. Also, I have a horrible rattling sound under the front end when I go over bumps/rough roads. Any ideas?

Ok, so the first poster obviously didnt read the question and just posted the first thing he googled.

So I'll try.
You have a short, most likely on the actual drive motor itself or in the switch. I wouldn't bother with replacing the fuse again until you take the motor out or test the switch for a short.

1. Place the ignition switch in the ON position.
2. Push and hold the sunroof switch toward 2 . Once the sunroof has reached the full tilt position, release the switch. Push and hold the switch toward the 2 position again. After a delay of four seconds, the sunroof will make a small movement and backup.
3. Release the switch.
4. Within 5 seconds of releasing the switch, push and continuously hold the switch toward 2 . The sunroof will move from the tilt position to the open position and back to the close position.

Here's a description the sun roof
Power Sunroof System Components
The power sunroof system consists of the following components:
• Sunroof module
• Sunroof switch
• Sunroof motor, with 2 hall effect sensors and limit switch
• Sunroof window
• Sunroof sunshade panel
• Power supply for the sunroof module: RAP 25 A
• Ground G402

Override
The override function is used when needing to force a closing of the sunroof window. To override the system:
Turn ignition to ON.
Rotate the sunroof switch to the close position.
Press upward.
The sunroof switch data 6 circuit, or override circuit, will become grounded at the sunroof module. As long as the sunroof module sees this input, it will continue to slide the sunroof window to close, regardless of the other sunroof switch data circuits inputs.

I would check the power at connector to motor, if ok replace switch.

Is there a way to manually close the sunroof in the up position on a 98 Nissan Maxima?

sounds like the metal deflector in front of the sunroof,is separated and caught in the roof mechanism, however there are other issues that can cause that condition, it can be anything from a bad sunroof switch to the sunroof tracks jamming, start with looking to see if there any obstuctions in the track..the sunroof mechanism can get costly to repair.

H Kim -

The "gearbox" is unfortunately under the headliner with no easy access. If you are also experiencing a clicking sound when the motor is activated, the regulator track had slipped position and will need to be reset.

I have been through this problem twice now. The first time the motor / gearbox came loose from it's mounts, began slipping (click, click,click), very nasty sound. I remounted the motor with threadlock on the screws, but alas.. two years later (mine's 2006) it slipped again.. I don't know why yet, I need to drop the headliner once more and have a look. If you would like a copy of your FSM, drop me a line.

Here's the RESET procedure from the FSM, absolutely gospel, no other way to fix it:
Sunroof Motor Assembly Note: Note • If the guide is removed, initial position setting of the sunroof motor will be required. After installing the sunroof unit, perform initial position setting using the following procedure. 1. Press the TILT UP switch to fully tilt up the glass panel.
2. When the glass panel reaches the fully tilt up position, temporarily release the TILT UP switch and press it again for approx. 13 s continuously. Continue pressing the switch until the glass panel automatically stops at the fully tilt up position after reaching the mechanical lock position.
3. When the glass panel stops at the fully tilt up position, temporarily release the TILT UP switch, then press it again within 5 s and hold.
Note • Press the TILT UP switch continuously until the glass panel opens to the fully open position, returns to the fully closed position and then stops. 4. Release the TILT UP switch when the glass panel stops at the fully closed position.



ALSO, Here's the clearance adjustment specs for having the glass panel in the correct resting position:


GLASS PANEL ADJUSTMENT
1. Fully close the glass panel.
2. Measure the gap and height difference between the glass panel and the body.
3. Loosen the glass panel installation screws and move the glass panel to adjust.


Standard clearance a: 0.2-2.2 mm {0.008-0.08 in} b: 0 mm {0 in} 4. Tighten the screws.
5. Insert any available thin plastic card between the weatherstrip and the body, and verify that they are sealed. (There is resistance when the plastic card is moved.)


• If they are not sealed, perform Steps 3-4 and adjust again.

I think I know the answer....your gear has slipped on the cable a few teeth. Set the roof to the desired closed position, flush with your roof. Then open the panel above the mirror by first prying off the switch plate and removing the two 10mm bolts holding the mirror. Remove the sunroof motor gear, or rather just lower it out so it is disengaged with the cables. Now connect the switch and hit the auto open button as if you wanted to open the roof with single flick of the switch. Now hit the auto close button (same button of course, but the single touch method). The motor will advance and stop to where it thinks the roof should be, closed, which it is. Reassemble the gear into the slot, test it if all good, replace the mirror and panel.
Good luck.
Manfred.

title says X5, but description says X3. i'll explain for an X5, but X3 with the pano should be the same. and i'll explain function of the roof, not reprogramming.

button is located on the panel at the top near the front & center windshield. its the switch on the far left on this panel. its a switch that not only toggles, but also slides forward & back.

with your finger in front of the button, slide it back & release. this will make the cover slide back and store revealing the sun roof. you know have 2 options (tilt the sunroof up or open the roof completely).

to tilt it up, press up on the rear of the button and release. the rear of both roofs will pop up. to close, push up and release the front of the button or slide the switch forward.

to slide it open completely, repeat what you did to open the protective cover (slide the switch from front to back). the roof will open completely and stow out of the way. to close, slide the switch forward and release. pano roof will now close.

to close the cover, slide the switch forward again.

neat trick: if you want to tilt the sunroof open without opening the protective cover, press up on the rear of the button (when the cover is closed) and release. the cover will separate in the middle exposing about a 2-3 inch mesh, then tilts the sunroof open. to close, push the button forward again.

also, if you are above a certain speed (can't remember what it is off hand) with the sunroof open or tilted, it will close automatically, then perform the neat trick on its own to keep air coming in.

one last trick: if you want to open the windows and sunroof from outside, press & hold the unlock button (forward button on the key) and you will see the windows go down, then the roof will open to vent. releasing the button will stop the motion of the windows & roof.

hope this answered what you were asking.

clean the runners on the sunroof watching out for trapped debris. try lubricating the runners with a fine lubricant with a clothe, make sure no debris caught in motor also.