Well, you’re not alone, as this is a common complaint from many Renegade owners.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss different reasons why it happens and how you can fix it.
Why Your Jeep Renegade Sunroof Won’t Close?
There can be multiple reasons why your Jeep Renegade sunroof is not closing.
The first one is that something (maybe a small twig) is blocking the sunroof. The sunroof has a security feature that prevents it from closing if there’s any obstruction.
In such cases, you’ll see the sunroof respond to your input slightly (closing) before retracting to get full open.
On the other hand, if you don’t get any response upon pressing the CLOSE button, it usually means that either the sunroof fuse is blown or the sunroof motor is damaged.
Other than that, you can also try resetting the ECU. Reinitializing also helps, as the sunroof can sometimes lose its calibration.
6 Fixes If Your Jeep Renegade Sunroof Won’t Close
1. Reset the ECU
As you may already know, modern vehicles are operated by a module called the ECU.
The ECU is the computer that controls various vehicle components, including the engine, transmission, sunroof, and more.
Like any computer, the ECU can experience glitches, which can cause a particular component to work sluggishly or not at all.
This issue can be easily fixed by resetting the ECU, just like how we reset our laptops or smartphones when they’re not working properly.
Here’s the easiest method for this reset procedure:
- Turn the ignition off and remove the key.
- Using a wrench, loosen the nut on the negative (-) terminal of the battery and then disconnect the cable from that terminal. Make sure the cable doesn’t metal part of the vehicle body.
- Loosen the nut on the positive (+) terminal of the battery and then disconnect the cable from that terminal.
- Touch both cables to each other. It will discharge any residual electrical energy stored in the vehicle’s electrical system.
- Wait 5-10 minutes before reconnecting the cables. Connect the positive cable first, then the negative one.
2. Check the Sunroof Fuse
For this, we’ll test the sunroof fuse, as it can sometimes blow, preventing the sunroof circuit from getting any power.
This fuse is usually located in a fuse box inside the trunk. For accurate information, check your Renegade’s owner manual.
Once you have access to the fuse box, locate the fuse (using the fusebox diagram) and pull it out. Then, you can test it with a test light or a multimeter.
If it’s not working, replace it with a fuse of the same amperage, and the sunroof will start working again.
That’s because the original fuse has blown, opening the circuit and preventing the current from flowing through the sunroof motor.
As a result, the sunroof is off and not responding to your inputs.
3. Reinitialize the Sunroof
Sometimes, the sunroof starts to malfunction simply because it has lost track of its starting position.
In such a situation, all you need to do is recalibrate it. Think of it as a relearn process for the sunroof. Here’s what you need to do.
- Press and hold the sunroof switch at the CLOSE position in the overhead console for 30 seconds.
- Push and hold the sunroof switch at the OPEN position in the overhead console for 30 seconds.
This will start the initialization process, during which the sunroof might close and open a few times.
4. Close the Sunroof Manually
Not many people know this, but Jeep Renegade gives you an option of manually opening/closing the sunroof.
First, you need to get the My Sky key from the onboard tool kit, which is usually located in the cargo area. If you can’t find it, get a standard Allen key instead.
Then, insert the key into the keyhole (near the sunroof) and rotate it counter-clockwise to close the sunroof – or clockwise if you want to open it.
This method is not so convenient as you’re operating the sunroof manually.
But it’s a handy feature that you can use for opening/closing the sunroof until you can find the main problem.
5. Clean the Sunroof Rails
The next thing we’ll check is the sunroof rails.
If you had left the sunroof open for a prolonged period, there is a chance that mud or pollen has accumulated on the rails and is now causing the sunroof not to close.
Sometimes, it’s the acorns or small-sized twigs causing the issue.
Why?
Because these sunroofs have a safety feature that prevents them from closing if there’s an obstruction in their path.
When the sunroof detects an obstruction while closing, it believes it to be a human being and retracts to prevent any harm.
To fix this issue, you need to clean the tracks with a blower. If there is rust or corrosion, you can also apply lithium grease.
Watch the video below for more information:
6. Replace the Sunroof Motor
If you’ve tried all of the above methods and the sunroof still won’t close, it’s probably due to a faulty sunroof motor.
The motor is the most critical component of the sunroof system as it’s responsible for driving the sunroof in and out.
Sometimes, this motor can fail due to overheating or malfunctioning, causing the sunroof to become stuck, move sluggishly, or not respond at all.
In some cases, you hear unusual sounds like grinding or clicking when trying to use the sunroof, which indicates that the motor is trying hard but can’t work.
Therefore, I recommend hiring a mechanic to check the sunroof motor.
In many cases, you’ll be able to fix it cheaply because the issue is not with the motor itself but its wiring.
However, if the motor itself is dying, it’ll be a costly fix, and you’ll have to spend at least $700-$800 to get a new motor installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Model Of Jeep Renegade Has A Dual-Pane Sunroof?
All Jeep Renegade models in the Sun and Sound package come with a dual-pane sunroof.
Why Won’t My Jeep Renegade Panoramic Sunroof Open?
A sunroof that is stuck closed can have almost the same reasons as a sunroof that is stuck open, such as a blown fuse, obstruction in the rails, damaged wiring connection, or a worn-out motor.
How Do You Manually Close The Jeep Renegade Sunroof?
If your Jeep Renegade has a My Sky sunroof, you can manually open/close it by rotating its keyhole with an Allen key.
What Is The Jeep Renegade Sunroof Motor’s Replacement Cost?
The sunroof motor of Jeep Renegade usually costs $350-$400. But you must also consider the mechanic’s fee in your area for more accurate estimation.
What Is The Disadvantage Of Panoramic Sunroof?
While a panoramic sunroof adds to the vehicle’s aesthetics, it has a few downsides, too.
The biggest one is that the seals around the sunroof can degrade over time, leading to water leaks during heavy rain.
Additionally, panoramic sunroofs can sometimes introduce extra wind noise, particularly when driving at high speeds.
Other than that, the glass on top can cause the car interior to get hot in no time during the summer.
Lastly, if a panoramic sunroof malfunctions, it will be more expensive to repair than a standard sunroof due to its size and added complexity.
