2011 Up Ford Explorer Sunroof Motor Replacement

How I replace the sunroof motor on a 2011-Up Ford Explorer.
Here is how to initialize the motor once you've replaced it:
• Ford Explorer Sunroof ...
How to fix the stopped up drains that caused this motor failure:
• 2011 Up Explorer Sunro...

[@dwaynejackson697]

Excellent video!! Took the unknown right out of the job. A shop quoted me $680 to repair. Did it myself for the cost of the motor and your video. Thank you for that.

[@joel4210]

What year Explorer and what’s the part number? My wife has a 2016 Explorer Platinum and her sunroof motor gave out. Searching for the part. I’ve noticed part numbers have changed through the years.

[@Vanade23]

Video was very helpful, appreciate it. Keep the videos coming 👍

[@DJIronMIc]

Thank you 🙏🏽 great video

[@robertpacino7809]

Great video thanks

[@scotthidden8112]

Love the video. So I need to replace the interior sliding sunshade for the sunroof on my 2011 Ford Escape. Can I do that by accessing it the way you did in this video? If not, any suggestions on the easiest way to do this?

[@justinwillieradl2209]

Awesome thanks.

[@tylerulmer1]

Great series of videos. I too have watched dozens trying to solve this, and your videos are by far the best at showing and explaining how to easily fix things. That said, on my 2015 Explorer, my drains clogged and flooded my interior in the typical fashion. Now neither my sunroof (Tilt/slide) or the sunshade are responsive at all. Is it possible that just the reset could solve this or is it likely that both motors are fried? I know you say in this video that you've never had a sunshade motor burnout. Any insight is much appreciated.

[@SealofPerfection]

Yes I've never seen the water leak kill a shade motor, although I don't see why because it's basically in the same spot on the passenger side that the roof motor is. The only time I have ever seen both not working, the switch was bad. That doesn't mean that's what's wrong with yours, but that's just been my experience

[@tylerulmer1]

@@SealofPerfection That’s what I was curious of. Thank you for the quick feedback. I’ll try to troubleshoot/diagnose the switch before ordering a motor/motors. Keep making your videos. Awesome stuff!

[@maldo3489]

Great video! Just finished replacing mine and your method definitely better. If I can recommend anything for anyone trying this, is use a power tool like he did in the video. I did it manually and took a bit longer but still faster than other videos I watched.. Thanks again for this video👍

[@SealofPerfection]

Yeah, the 90 degree drill saves a ton of time. Plus it's great for many other things as well.

[@robure5927]

@@SealofPerfectionhi I watched your sunroof motor replacement video - it’s great! Will that work on a 2012 Ford Edge?

[@SealofPerfection]

@@robure5927 The Edge motor is in the rear. You can just pull the headliner down and get a 90 degree drill to it, though. There are 2 motors, one for the shade, one for the glass. You can try to do just one, but sometimes you need both. Edges have other issue as well, but I did used to see motors on them every so often as the main issue.

[@robure5927]

Turns out all that was needed was to re-calibrate the Edge Vista Roof. I was able to open it. However because the roof was closed for several years, the rail weatherstrip rubber is all deteriorated and falling apart. The glad waterproof seals are in good shape. Do you know what the part is to order new rubber for the tracks ? I’m at a loss.

[@SealofPerfection]

@@robure5927 are you talking about weatherstrip outside the glass or the ones that you can see from inside, that look like accordions?

[@user-oq7vl3mf8o]

Did you make a video or do you have instructions on how to clean the drains for the sunroof on a 2012 Ford explore? Your videos are amazing and super helpful! Thank you

[@SealofPerfection]

I have most of one. I'm going to try to edit it into something useful

[@user-oq7vl3mf8o]

Thank you 🙏

[@SealofPerfection]

@@user-oq7vl3mf8o Just uploaded one. See what you think: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3jPcqh9qth1g6M

[@capiberra4118]

Helpful video, thanks. Ballpark price on the OEM part?

[@SealofPerfection]

They were 270-ish on Amazon last week. Prices do fluctuate, but that was an OEM Ford part. I don't recommend the aftermarkets, have had several people that used to and had trouble getting them to program.

[@abrijohnson6730]

Hey thanks so much! I got my motor out but i see that it’s actually an aftermarket that i didn’t install. Do you know anywhere i can get a signature motor with paying $800 at the shop?

[@SealofPerfection]

You can buy an OEM motor from Amazon. Last time I got one it was about $240-ish.

[@TheBatCave13]

what program?

[@kencarson8151]

Changing out the motor on Explorer. Your video is great! The motor won't let go; everything is free, but the motor won't pull or pry down. Any suggestions?

[@SealofPerfection]

I have had a few that were like that. Sometimes you can rotate the motor back and forth a little bit, and sometimes I have had to get a screwdriver in there and kind of pry on it. But don't pry on it too hard, put some pressure on it and then wiggle the motor and they have always eventually popped loose for me. You just don't want the brute force it and damage the cables

[@a.m.3028]

Hi, thanks for the video! I ordered my replacement motor and got it installed! My problem is, my window is stuck open! When I try to reprogram it, it does not work. Is there any workaround for this? Edit: I ended up programming it before I screwed it to the roof.... it seemed to work! Seems a little glitchy (controls are reversed, always opens vent), but I'm scared to reprogram it again since my sunroof is closed now.....

[@SealofPerfection]

Did you get a Ford motor or an aftermarket?

[@jovelciadrianodalmoura7083]

Sorry for the question if I change the sliding roof engine of the Ford explorer 2013 do I need to configure it or not? or just click that it works normally

[@SealofPerfection]

You should need to initialize it. According to the book, they will only go to the Vent position and do nothing else until initialized. That said, I've seen a couple that worked right out of the box, but I always run the procedure anyway.

[@gabbyvazquez7331]

Is there a way to manually close sunroof? Part has been order but it will be a few days and the sunroof is stuck open.

[@SealofPerfection]

If there is an allen head on the bottom of the motor you can sometimes put an allen wrench on there and turn them although it is very hard. The only other option is to drop the motor and move the guides manually

[@aymannabil3044]

Are both motors, sunroof and sunshade identical with the same part number?

[@SealofPerfection]

Yes they are the same motor

[@JacksonAndrews-gn8bk]

Do you have a particular motor you order for these from autozone, Napa, or o’reilleys or do you order oem motor from ford?

[@SealofPerfection]

OEM, always. Aftermarkets don't always program. Usually I get them from Ford, but I've gotten the Ford part from Amazon several times as well

[@pinkfloydn8]

Can you please give me guidance on how to align the glass equally with the frame because when I was removing the bad motor, I had some troubles so I worked the switch back and forth to help aid in the removal but I messed up the alignment a little bit because the gear engaged one of the cables throwing off the equality of the cable to bracket. Once I got it out, I replaced it with Ford replacement motor and it is in closed position mostly with the exception of the rear passenger side slightly elevated in the up position about half an inch while the driver side rear is flush flat. With the new motor installed and unable to initialize the motor because of the misalignment, how do I fix this? I’m guessing that I have to remove the motor to disengage it from the cables so I can basically start over again but I have no idea how to twist the cable without using the motor to be able to equally synchronize the glass/bracket. Please help! I could not find any videos pertaining to this situation.

[@SealofPerfection]

Drop the motor again. Move the guides on either side all the way to the tilt position as far as it will go. That way you know they're lined up. Put the motor back in and run the initialization. Might take a couple of times but it will work. Also might want to take the glass out in order to move the guides all the way forward but it's pretty easy

[@pinkfloydn8]

@@SealofPerfection Is there a link/video you can send me? Any direction on how to tackle the guides, what has to come apart first?

[@SealofPerfection]

@@pinkfloydn8 I unfortunately do not have much of anything on an Explorer for that. However I do have a link on how to remove a sunroof glass. On yours it's just 2 Torx #25's on each side, behind the accordion things. Then the glass lifts right out. And with the motor loose you can see which piece moves, and you just push it forward until the arms tilt up in the back. Push it forward as far as it will go, and then reinstall the motor and they should be aligned perfectly. I do have a video on how to do this on an f-150, and it's somewhat similar. The parts that you move aren't exactly the same but it should be close enough to get you there kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4LUmXyIibVkfbs kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4LEiX-OmsqUabs

[@MikePolk2007]

My sunroof is stuck open so i cant seem too get the motor too fall out, any tips for this?

[@SealofPerfection]

Whether the sunroof is open or closed should have nothing to do with removing the motor. Sometimes the gear can kind of stick in the cables a little bit, and in those cases I get a screwdriver or something and kind of rock the motor back a little bit by sticking it up in there back and forth and it will eventually pop out

[@kutnkudly]

My sunroof stopped working in the tilted open position. Hubby replaced sunroof motor on drivers side of my 2011 explorer, as well as the switch. Since i had watched your video and it was the only one that didn't confuse me, I went out to initialize. I dont have push button start, but with driver door open, I started it, turned it off, started it again, and while running I pulled down on the tilt switch, released, pulled down and held. The motor clicked each time, but never moved the sunroof. Tried again with same process but pushed up on the tilt button instead of pull. Again it clicked, but nothing moved. My buttons are on opposite sides of yours(tilt is the drivers side, cover is on passenger side.), but i still cant get it to work. We live in Idaho, and its cold and theres snow on ground and frost in the mornings. Hes going to put it in the shop tomorrow and heat the shop to see if the drain line is frozen. Any other suggestions?

[@SealofPerfection]

Did you get a Ford motor or an aftermarket there has been a lot of problem with the aftermarket Motors not wanting to program

[@kutnkudly]

@@SealofPerfection it was aftermarket, hubby finally got it to spaz out long enough to get it to close, found out the front glass doesn't just tilt, it does slide open lol, I'm not going to mess with it anymore till warmer weather just in case.

[@reconrc1787]

Thanks for this video but can you also show us the second motor replacement, too?

[@SealofPerfection]

It's literally the same thing, just on the other side. Nothing is different.

[@reconrc1787]

@SealofPerfection thanks, all the videos I've seen are for the driver side motor. I wasn't sure if there was anything special to take into consideration.

[@SealofPerfection]

@@reconrc1787 nope, it's exactly the same thing, only on the other side. I think the motor is turned around backwards from the way the driver side is, but it's literally the same motor. You just remove the passenger side visor and all the same stuff over there instead of the driver side. The only thing I can think of that might be different is if you have a grab handle screwed into the headliner on the passenger side. I can't remember if they have those or not, so you may need to take that loose, but other than that it's exactly the same

[@HMack007]

Can you give me the link for the programming?

[@SealofPerfection]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3eWqomsbN-dY7s

[@mizellgg]

Is the sun shade motor the same part number?

[@SealofPerfection]

Yes. I just did both Motors in a 2013 today and they were the exact same number

[@mizellgg]

@@SealofPerfection thanks. Did you buy the motors from amazon or ford?

[@SealofPerfection]

@@mizellgg Ford Motors but from Amazon. I do not recommend aftermarket Motors. They won't always program

[@karmanbrar5039]

Im having issues with this its not working, my sunroof is stuck in tilt open. 2017 explorer

[@SealofPerfection]

Likely the motor is bad due to water intrusion from a sunroof leak.

[@chrisfrancis8446]

Video on the sunroof drain?

[@SealofPerfection]

It's in the description

[@onoahimahi]

How much should the motor cost? My local Auto Parts had the OEM for $400 and their offering for $200. Amazon lists a Motorcraft part for $200 and a “compatible” part for $50. And EBay has them used. Too many choices :-)

[@SealofPerfection]

Find the cheapest OEM motor you can. I've had a lot of people report to me the aftermarket ones will not program. 200 is pretty good

[@larryh3291]

I just purchased a motor from Ebay for $35 and haven't installed it yet. Is there just one motor on the driver side and not the passenger side?

[@SealofPerfection]

Be careful with the ebay motors, the aftermarket motors have been having a problem programming. Some of them work and some of them will never program. I generally recommend people use OEM, but if you already have it definitely try it I guess

[@SealofPerfection]

Oh, and the sunroof motor is over the driver's visor, shade motor is over the passenger's visor

[@orlinmurillos3955]

I have this problem with my Ford Explorer, it has to be prescribed

[@JD-mq8ej]

Everyone gonna act like they didn't see you snap that second screw off, but I saw it. 🧐

[@SealofPerfection]

I don't know what you're talking about...........

[@jjmcg9688]

I cant get the motor for a few days, is there a way I can manually lower the tilt to seal?

[@SealofPerfection]

You can drop the motor loose from the cables and move the guides manually

[@jjmcg9688]

@@SealofPerfection any chance you have a video on how to do that?

[@jjmcg9688]

@@SealofPerfection I’m trying to hot wire it right now tbh

[@SealofPerfection]

@@jjmcg9688 I have this one on how to drop the motor but I don't think I have one on how to manually move the track

[@SealofPerfection]

@@jjmcg9688 now that I think about it you could swap the motors. The shade motor is the same. You just have to have both plugged in for either one to work