Sunroof switch and seal removal?

[DeRrTy_DeViLlE]

what is the right way to take the console off without breaking the tabs that hold it up by the windshield? i also have a bad seal around the glass and i was wondering if i could take the seal off another and put it on or do i have to buy the whole glass/seal section?

 

[Rockledge]

Overhead Console Removal

1. Insert a thin screwdriver at the outer most edge of each overhead lamp button, push inwards and down, and the outside edge will pop out. Reach in with a finger or two and pop the other side of each button out.

2. Remove the phillips screw visible next to and above each bulb.

3. Pull the entire unit towards the rear of the car. This take a little effort. Keep the unit flush against the roof while doing this.

4. Disconnect the two wire harnesses.

 

[DeRrTy_DeViLlE]

I assume keeping it flush will keep the tabs from breaking. Thanks for the help!

 

[DeRrTy_DeViLlE]

I did run into problems pulling the switch off. Step one in particular. I found it a little easier and less damaging to the part when I pressed a button in and pryed the light covers off in the middle.

I dd pull extra ones while I was out so if somebody needs one let me know. They will be tested. They're that darker tan color.

 

[89SHOMAN666]

You can get the moon roof seal from your local Ford dealer. I bought mine from them last summer and it is still in production as far as I know. I have a spare new seal sitting around my shop to so let me know if your interested. BTW expect to pay close to $200 for the seal, it's an expensive mother!

Have a good day,

 

[DeRrTy_DeViLlE]

You can get the moon roof seal from your local Ford dealer. I bought mine from them last summer and it is still in production as far as I know. I have a spare new seal sitting around my shop to so let me know if your interested. BTW expect to pay close to $200 for the seal, it's an expensive mother!

Have a good day,

$200. Not a chance. I just paid $15 for the glass and the seal in good shape.

Wow, Ford really expects people to pay $200 for something that costs about a dollar to produce?


Well now i cant get the new glass to line up right. Also from the old seal coming off the way it was it has my pop up vent all bent out of shape and i ended up having to drill one of the screws holding the glass on. :cuss: :banghd:

 

[RAYJAY]

some one else found this for the sunroof seal on our cars at 46.00 not bad price

http://www.sunroofdoctor.com/8695taurus.htm

 

[89SHOMAN666]

$200. Not a chance. I just paid $15 for the glass and the seal in good shape.

Wow, Ford really expects people to pay $200 for something that costs about a dollar to produce?

Interesting that you bought a used seal, I prefer to fix it right the first time when I do maintenance. But hey if you prefer to rip apart your sun roof multiple times to correct it you'll definitely learn how to take it apart faster! :laugh_ti: Oh well. Each to his own! Oh, BTW the new seal that ford offers is a different design and works considerably better so a lot of the leakage issues of the original are fixed. But hey you new that already didn't ya!

 

[shosound]

yeah some of us have $200 to burn on an extra seal we don't even need, then again some of us live in reality and don't. Putting a new seal on is preferable, but most people do what they can, when they can afford it

 

[DeRrTy_DeViLlE]

$200 for 5-6 feet of rubber is crazy. I already sank that $200 into the car many times over But there's better ways to spend that $200. Seems interesting that you trust ford designers so much that you would buy 2 new seals but thats ford for ya. Always gotta have a spare for when the other breaks.

 

[89SHOMAN666]

Hey All,
Here is my opinion regarding car parts. If I have to decide to either trust Ford Engineers verses aftermarket verses buying a junkyard parts, to me the choice is simple Ford. Also, I have six Ford Taurus SHO's, four of which have moon roofs so I always stock parts, seals included, so that I do not get caught off guard when Ford decides to make a part "obsolete". Back onto the topic of OEM parts, I prefer to buy the parts that Ford designed for my vehicle for the most part unless there is a viable aftermarket solution that is equivalent or better to OEM. Now if you want to get into a discussion regarding costs dealership parts absolutely are a price gouge. But if you take something like the moon roof seal there is no aftermarket solution so Ford realizes that they have the customer backed into a corner. Thus they can overly inflate the prices to an absurd level. Now if I have to decide between a junkyard used seal and a new one I will pay the price gouge of $200 so that my vehicle is properly fixed. If you don't want to that is fine but I prefer to fix my vehicles correctly the first time.

Have a good day,

 

[89SHOMAN666]

But there's better ways to spend that $200. Seems interesting that you trust ford designers so much that you would buy 2 new seals but thats ford for ya. Always gotta have a spare for when the other breaks.

By the way something you might want to consider. If you install a used seal chances are that the lifespan will not equal that of an equivalent new part. Thus you will be replacing it again sooner. Maybe you do not value your time but to me I prefer not to waist my time on mutable part installs that are unnecessary and occur because I was cheep. Thus if I don’t have the money to do job right I wait and do it when I can. I have had my Maroon 91+ sitting now for about two and a half months due to an expensive fuel system issue. I have not had the money to fix it however I am not going to schlock it up by putting in junkyard parts. I actually just now bought the remainder of the parts I needed and will be finishing it over spring break. Anyway that is just my two cents.

Later,

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Hey All,
Here is my opinion regarding car parts. If I have to decide to either trust Ford Engineers verses aftermarket verses buying a junkyard parts, to me the choice is simple Ford. Also, I have six Ford Taurus SHO's, four of which have moon roofs so I always stock parts, seals included, so that I do not get caught off guard when Ford decides to make a part "obsolete". Back onto the topic of OEM parts, I prefer to buy the parts that Ford designed for my vehicle for the most part unless there is a viable aftermarket solution that is equivalent or better to OEM. Now if you want to get into a discussion regarding costs dealership parts absolutely are a price gouge. But if you take something like the moon roof seal there is no aftermarket solution so Ford realizes that they have the customer backed into a corner. Thus they can overly inflate the prices to an absurd level. Now if I have to decide between a junkyard used seal and a new one I will pay the price gouge of $200 so that my vehicle is properly fixed. If you don't want to that is fine but I prefer to fix my vehicles correctly the first time.

Have a good day,

Ford doesnt make the seals. Heck, they dont make much of anything.

And you do know what OEM stands for, right? It certainly does not mean "Made by Ford". Original Equipment Manufacturer.

For all we know, that link to a super inexpensive moonroof rubber IS OEM.

 

[89SHOMAN666]

Ford doesnt make the seals. Heck, they dont make much of anything.

And you do know what OEM stands for, right? It certainly does not mean "Made by Ford". Original Equipment Manufacturer.

For all we know, that link to a super inexpensive moonroof rubber IS OEM.

I see so just because Ford or any other auto manufacturer contracts out a given part to a company for production means that we should treat it like any other aftermarket part. (Interesting Logic) Let’s consider this example: I sort of remember Autolite making the sparkplugs OEM for Ford and that they certainly work the best. But darn they aren't Ford spark plugs because golly gee Autolite makes them. That is an odd argument to take. The point of going OEM is to replace the damaged part on the car with the exact same piece the factory installed. It has nothing to do with if Ford, or Autolite or whoever the heck else makes part.

That also relates back to my argument of viable aftermarket solution. If that link is for a comparable seal or OEM fantastic! However I would investigate it before I made assumptions (thus I would be determining if it is a viable aftermarket solution). Now if that seal isn't OEM quality, where are you once again sent to? (The dealership of course.) Now what do you think the dealership is going to do? They are not stupid. They realize their monopoly and that your either stuck going junkyard hopping or buying it through them. So they make the price astronomically high. But that does not eliminate the need for the part it just means if you wish to fix the problem correctly you are stuck buying an expensive dealership part.

Either way I don't understand your logic.

Later,

 

[DeRrTy_DeViLlE]

By the way something you might want to consider. If you install a used seal chances are that the lifespan will not equal that of an equivalent new part. Thus you will be replacing it again sooner. Maybe you do not value your time but to me I prefer not to waist my time on mutable part installs that are unnecessary and occur because I was cheep. Thus if I don’t have the money to do job right I wait and do it when I can. I have had my Maroon 91+ sitting now for about two and a half months due to an expensive fuel system issue. I have not had the money to fix it however I am not going to schlock it up by putting in junkyard parts. I actually just now bought the remainder of the parts I needed and will be finishing it over spring break. Anyway that is just my two cents.

Later,

A fuel system problem doesnt compare to a leaky moonroof seal. Fuel system is a drivability issue and the moonroof is an acessory issue. I dont just junkyard search for everything. I've completely replaced the rear suspension and a lot of parts on the front wheels with all brand new parts as well as 4 new tires and a 4 wheel alignment. For me, it's not the least bit cost effective to buy a $200 seal for a car that wont last as half as long as a new seal will.

Multiple installs on a fuel system and a moonroof are completely different stories. the moonroof is right there whereas the fuel system has many stupid things to remove just to get at the problem.

If you value your time so much then why compare two things that cannot compare to eachother?

 

[89SHOMAN666]

You are Correct on the fuel system issue being a serious drivability issue. However I do not share your belief that a moon roof seal leak is just minor. I personally prefer to take my shower before I leave for work in the morning and not have my car make the decision make for me. Note the reference from the "Top 7 reasons I'll always have my SHO" on "shotimes". But in all seriousness leaky seals do cause car damage sometimes substantial damage overtime. Now if your logic is that my SHO is a beater and I will not own it long enough to make that seal cost effective. Fine that is a reasonable answer, however that would differ for each owner and not change my argument any. Consider this: You are still taking a calculated risk by putting in a used part. In all reality you have no determinant for life expediency. If this does not bother you and possibility of ripping apart the same thing again sounds appealing then that's great for you. I personally would handle it in a different manner but then again I own my SHO's for the long term and not just to drive and replace. So we come back to the point that if that solution is agreeable to you then go for it. Finally, to answer your other comment, I favor intelligent uses of time for all projects whether they are for pure drivability sake or whether they are more of a comfort/accessory. If I can fix a problem correctly the first time and not have to look at it again to me that is always the preferable answer.

That's my two cents.

 

[SlowHeavyObject]

Any way you look at it $200 is definitely a ripoff considering that maybe for $500 you could go buy a WHOLE another SHO parts car (perhaps with driveability/cosmetic issues, but most of the other parts are in near-new condition) and fix hundreds of more things including a sunroof seal. If an individual's time is not worth fixing a sunroof seal that costs $200, why not take it to a shop and have them fix it? It would definitely cost about the same, except they provide the seal - and a guarantee/warranty that if it's not done right/quality the first time, they will fix it. I would definitely trust a reputable shop pro's work more than my own. The reason why people do their own repairs instead of sending it to a shop is usually because of price/difficulty. So if you are going to be spending $200 for a seal then why not spend just a little more and have a pro do it?

One other thing, if junkyard parts were so un-trustable, why would there be hundreds of them still in business? I've done this repair on my 94 myself using a donor 93 Sable that was severely rear ended that I picked up for $300. And while I was at it, I was able to use the fenders, power antenna, glass, hood, electronics, etc.

 

[89SHOMAN666]

There are countless reasons why people do there own auto maintenance, even though some avoid it due to lack of experience. Was that what you were hinting at with you comment “I would trust a reputable shops work over my own”? I sort of remember that the majority of mechanics butcher work on SHO’s due to lack of experience. This is why many choose the opposite reason to do it themselves because they do not trust the majority of the mechanics to work on there car. Also isn’t their a point to learning about how maintenance or enjoying working on a mechanic device or am I unique in this regard?

I personally trust myself to do a repair on my car over any mechanic unless I am dealing with paint work. Then I realize that I am not skilled enough in that regard to perform a factory job. Making comments like I trust reputable mechanics over myself suggests to me that either don’t have any confidence in yourself or are a poor mechanic.

Onto your comment about junkyards you are contradicting yourself. First you talk about how you would prefer to send your car to a “reputable mechanic”. Then you talk about how wonderful junkyard parts are. Well I don’t believe any reputable mechanic will install junkyard parts unless it is the only option or he/she is directed by the owner to. With junk yard parts will a reputable mechanic warranty there work? I doubt it as they have not prior record of how the part was used, or taken care of. So let me get this right, you don’t trust yourself as a mechanic but you use junkyard parts which are great. However you would prefer a reputable mechanic which will not use junkyard parts. I find that argument quite interesting. Also because very few if any aftermarket solutions of OEM quality exist, most reputable mechanics would use the Ford seal anyway. Thus now you are paying $200 plus the price of labor. What is the point of that again?

Also the fenders glass and hood along with other parts of that nature’s condition can be determined when you are looking at the vehicle. Other parts that you install have a calculated risk associated with them as before you install them, as you do not have an exact idea of there condition because it is of a variable nature. Seals are of another sort. It is known that they degrade over time so a junkyard seal is going to be inferior to its new replacement counterpart. In all reality then you cannot set an exact lifespan on a used seal which is basically another calculated risk. All of these you can either decide that due to the price differential is worth taking or not. Also, when you are either making a parts car drive-able, or using a parts car do you know the condition of all of its items? That argument follows the exact same logic as the junkyard one. Thus argument is erroneous as well.

Junkyards remain in business for several reasons. First people like you demand cheep parts, and second that when parts become no longer available for cars used parts are not the only solution. So how does my argument remove the need for junkyards?

Finally I don’t every remember saying that $200 was a good price to pay for a seal. I actually remember defining why it is a price gouge. However I also remember stating why we as consumers get blocked into that dilemma. Anyway read the earlier posts if you want that defined for you.

Have a good day,

 

[SlowHeavyObject]

Relax, I wasn't "hinting" at anything if that's what you yourself were hinting. It's just that seeing that someone paid $200 for a seal really seemed outlandish to me. You make good points. Most shops around my area do indeed use junkyard, aftermarket, or reconditioned/rebuilt parts when they service vehicles which have body styles that are no longer in production. This is usually the case with the Taurus because there have been 2 major body redisigns since 1995 and the car is currently being phased out of their lineup. If in fact however Ford still manufactures replacement parts for an older model, the definietly charge shops a heavily discounted price than what they would charge a consumer. That's why you need a license/permit to be a shop. Also, many parts vendors do not even sell to consumers other than licensed businesses.

Many aftermarket vendors ARE OEM manufacturers. And I would trust most aftermarket parts over Ford. If Ford put such quality parts in their cars in the first place you would be paying twice as much for your car new, wouldn't need to replace parts so often, and there wouldn't be a need for thousands of factory recalls. Evidence of this is that there are modified performance cars out there. If factory parts were so good, why would tuners/racers put aftermarket parts in their cars to improve performance/durability of their vechicles? I'm sure my 5.0 Mustang with MSD ignition will outperform and outlast my neighbor's stock ignition setup. I haven't found the need to replace the MSD parts for almost 10 years now other than the plugs. My neighbor has constantly been replacing wires, coils, distributors, etc. Also Ford themselves makes their own better quality/performing parts under their Ford Racing division! Also, in buying 2 seals it looks to me that you yourself don't even trust the manufacturing of the seal and expect it to fail. You also mentioned that they redesigned the seal to prevent leaks. I've reconditioned many old seals to prevent leaks using a $2 silicon reconditioner and haven't had one leak yet. Quality vs. Quantity arguments can easily be solved by the odds-ratio. Quantity always wins. More>Less. More bang for your buck>Less bang for your buck.

In regards to my skills as a mechanic. I do admit that I am not very good when compared to a shop. I try to remember that most pro mechanics go through classes and have to pass a certification. They also must stay up-to-date with current technology through continued education credits and must usually be members of a national registry such as the ASE. Even the mechanics at Pep-Boys need this to be hired. I doubt that they will hack up my car if I go a "reputable" shop. Also I sometimes send my car to a shop because of time restrictions as I'm sure many others do. It takes a long time working for some people to make $200 it would leave them with little opportunity to put a seal in. Most figure why not just use that time to work to make more money or relax while someone else installs it for me. To some people, their time is worth more to them than the price of auto work.

And why let Ford get away with price-gouging? Why buy something when you can get it for less? If I remember correctly you yourself stated that you are uncertain how long the seal would last when compared to another one, and admitted that there is no evidence that it would. Many factors contribute to the wear of a sunroof seal. You also stated that the reason why Ford charges $200 is because they know that people like you will buy not one but perhaps 2 because you will blindly trust their products as someone would blindly trust junkyard parts. The fact that you are willing to buy a seal from them for $200 actually contributes to the gouging. At what price would you not buy a seal from them? $300? $400? If everyone refuses to pay such high amounts for their parts, they would lower the price I'm sure.

All I was saying was that for $200 I could buy a whole lot more than a sunroof seal. OK, so maybe the parts might not be up to par for some, but they work, and I've just fixed 10 more things on my car than a sunroof. I am a practical consumer, that's all.

It's good to know that there are people out there that are passionate about their cars. But unless they are also museum owners, I doubt their car will last forever to the point that it justifies the price of a $200 sunroof seal. How many Model Ts are out there today? How many 60s Mustangs are there now? They were once the most prominent cars on the road. I didn't think I was flaming nor intended to if that was how you perceived my post. I look forward to hearing others points and trying to prove my own opinions.