2014 Ford Explorer XLT sunroof motor replacement - water damage

Here I'll explain the process of removing the motor for the sunroof glass. Same process for the shade motor as well if it quits. It just on the other side of the roof.
The drains for the roof can get clogged ( you can see the holes in the front corners with the rod open) and the sunroof will leak. The water intrusion will get to the sunroof motor and ruin it as I will show you.
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[@toddgunther5748]

Used your video to help me change motor. Really not too bad of a job for a non mechanic. Thanks for posting! Saved me a bunch of money not having to go to auto repair shop.

[@vwagon96]

The challenging part was taking the motor off because I had very little room for my tools to fit in such limited space. This video guided me step by step and I was able to get everything done in about an hour. Thank you so much, bud!

[@cementshoes916]

Thanks for this video. Just replaced the motor tonight after I got home from work. Took maybe an hour (if that).

[@jessicatomlinson4905]

Mine just went out yesterday. Would this be easy for someone who works on cars but isn’t a mechanic?

[@cementshoes916]

@@jessicatomlinson4905 Yes. It’s not bad at all. I work on cars a little, but far from a mechanic. Just follow the steps and you’ll be good.

[@j.alloway9712]

Thanks for the help, down to the tools used. Saved me probably 10 trips to the basement to get the right stuff. Very good video for people with basic mechanical knowledge.

[@DiamondStarWerks]

You're welcome!

[@brianbrooks6974]

Thanks for the video. Helped me. Saved me 4 to 5 hoyrs shop labor doing it myself.

[@DiamondStarWerks]

Glad to be of help 💪

[@c.wynkoop5856]

This really helped me a lot! Your step by step gave me the confidence to go for it. It worked and really wasn't difficult - I'm not a car guy but do love trying to fix everything else. Thank you for the great tips! (2014 Explorer Sport)

[@SealofPerfection]

The motor fails because of water intrusion. Sunroof drains get stopped up, spills over into the motor. It doesn't seem to get the shade motors, I guess because it's installed the other way around. But it kills the roof motor frequently. Need to clear out the drains whenever one of these is done. Nice job on the video. I do these motors in about 5 minutes or so, don't take apart as much stuff as you did, but what you showed is a good way to explain it to the less "inclined" folks that might want to tackle it.

[@MikeDiesel67]

Thanks, you saved me a ton of money. I was able to change my motor out thanks to your video. I also used your other video on how to calibrate after the install.

[@DiamondStarWerks]

Good stuff, glad I helped.

[@danielmick8579]

Thanks for the video and info it helped alot..knocked it out in 2 hours

[@danram247]

The most important part is cleaning the water tube drains to make sure the water won't get clogged up again and burn out the sunroof motor again.

[@thebryants6531]

Thanks for this video. It was super helpful when I just replaced my 2014 Explorer sunroof motor.

[@sparkyboots]

My girlfriend has the same exact Explorer. You helped me out a lot with this video.

[@DiamondStarWerks]

Glad I could help

[@waterhawksfan3940]

Video was very helpful and more so re-assuring that I didn't do something stupid on my 2013. I'm comfortable with trying things myself but having a vid is so nice. Everything was per your vid, the only items I'd toss out as possibly helpful for some would be: I left my sun visors attached, I pushed the visor mounting oval mounting plates through the dropped headliner oval holes by simply rotating. Then let them hang from the plates from the liner verses the wires. Reversed process when re-installing. My glass motor (left side) was super tight and did take a lot of force to pry it out. I was worried about the new one going back in as it was very tight but the 3 screws pulled the motor into the place. I was afraid I'd bust something but this worked as did the final repair. As noted, good idea to clean up the tracks, lube, and ensure drains are clear. I opted to buy a Motorcraft OEM assembly verses off brand simply given not risking it wouldn't work after the labor, the extra $70 was worth it to me.

[@DiamondStarWerks]

Awesome notes, thanks for watching and for the comment!

[@melvincruz3915]

Muy bueno gracias me sirvió mucho

[@marcomendoza5985]

Before trying to remove the glass roof motor, the sun shade motor was working fine. After removing the defective glass roof motor, my sun shade won’t open or close anymore. Is this normal? Inspected both motors and only the glass motor had water damage. The sun shade motor looks ok.

[@sparkyboots]

With the same exact issue

[@aaronrblg]

Good afternoon friend, my Ford explorer got water because the sunrrof drains were blocked and only the fabric that would be the third button works and the others no longer work. it didn't get stuck or anything, it just stopped working. Or maybe it is the keypad that has entered water? That you recommend me, since I went to Ford and they were not exact with their diagnosis. Please help me, greetings from Chile.

[@robraw101]

Nice job, how do you keep the sunroof from leaking? Was it dirt buildup?

[@DiamondStarWerks]

Normally they leak because they overflow due to drain tubes getting clogged. Just blow them out with air

[@AmyKnoth]

Hi! Our sunroof hasn't worked for years, but now the carpet is getting soaked on drivers and passenger side so assume the drains need to be cleaned. Any idea on how to do that if we cant open the sunroof? Its the kids car now so we dont really care about fixing the sunroof.

[@DiamondStarWerks]

You could possibly remove the motor and move it manually clean out the drains then move it back and reinstall the motor.

[@anaphillips6162]

do you know if the motors actually have to be installed to run? I didn't want to reinstall if i had bad motors. can i just test them by being connected but not screwed back into position?

[@DiamondStarWerks]

Yeah shouldn't be an issue. They should still try to work.

[@ewartbuilt660]

What’s the part number for the motor and where did your order it from ?

[@DiamondStarWerks]

I believe we just got a good used one from a local junkyard. They aren't vin programmed or anything, they are actually on their own circuit.

[@dr.destrukto7402]

What website are you using that has a detailed wiring diagram?

[@DiamondStarWerks]

Prodemand by Mitchell

[@Pr0jectGloYT]

Mine has metal shavings on the gear and where it connects to in the vehicle . Would you know why?

[@DiamondStarWerks]

Not sure about that, possibly the gear has been jumping teeth

[@troyHolmes-oi5ig]

Ok I changed both motors in my 2015 but nothing is working.can anyone help.

[@josh57a]

Did you do the whole open the door, turn it on and off twice then hit the slide button twice, holding it on the 2nd time to cycle through thing?

[@troyHolmes-oi5ig]

Yes I did with both front door nothing,put in new switch still nothing.puzzling

[@troyHolmes-oi5ig]

Also check #8 and 38 fuses they good

[@JoseLopez-kt1tl]

Is there anyway to manually close is it ? For a emergency?

[@DiamondStarWerks]

Not that i know except perhaps remove the motor and pushing the glass closed. I don't think you can overpower it with the motor still installed and I don't know of a manual override.

[@swamperdonker2020]

Did you use an aftermarket motor or Ford OEM?

[@DiamondStarWerks]

Motorcraft I believe

[@strangeslum73]

Man is there any way I can get in touch with you I am running into big problems and get got a few questions I’m from south GA

[@DiamondStarWerks]

What issues are you having?

[@sarahlyn8411]

Can the sunroof be closed manually

[@DiamondStarWerks]

Not that i know of besides removing the motor and pushing it closed

[@slowheelie]

My 2015 is stuck closed and the shade works but not when I hit tilt or slide, could it be my motor?

[@DiamondStarWerks]

Yes. Both the shade and glass motors have integrated modules that only talk to each other. They are not part of the vehicles network so no scanner can pull any info from them. If your shade works with the shade button but does nothing when using the glass switch then I suspect your glass roof motor has shorted out. Most likely from water intrusion. You can remove and open the case on the glass roof motor to confirm.

[@slowheelie]

Thank you! I’ll order a motor.

[@slowheelie]

Just changed my motor and it works fine. The passenger side drain was clear but driver side was completely clogged. This video helps a lot. Took maybe 40min.

[@DiamondStarWerks]

@@slowheelie awesome glad you got it fixed and the video helped! 🤙

[@jiffry58]

What side is for the glass??

[@SealofPerfection]

Driver side

[@DES2nd9512]

how do you even get the liner down.

[@DiamondStarWerks]

Did you watch the whole video? I showed every step from start to finish.

[@DiamondStarWerks]

Remove the A pillar covers, the visor catches, the visors, the overhead controls, and pull it down.

[@DES2nd9512]

@@DiamondStarWerks lol apparently i did not. Seems when i found your video through google search. It had the video start at a point when u already had the liner down. something about a suggest start point. my bad.

[@VanillaDin0saur]

This extremely frustrating, neither fuse on my 2015 is blown, ive tried different ones. Replaced the left motor with a motor that works, and it wont activate when i press the button.

[@jessicatomlinson4905]

Did you do the relearn steps? I saw after changing the motor it needs to relearn.

[@VanillaDin0saur]

@@jessicatomlinson4905 they sent me a bad motor, the replacement they sent worked correctly.

[@nikkorivas9193]

So does it have 2 sunroof motors? Right and left? If so how do I know which one is damage? Or is it only one?

[@DiamondStarWerks]

One for the sunroof & one for the shade

[@nikkorivas9193]

@@DiamondStarWerks which one is for the sunroof?driver side or passenger? The shade works fine but the sunroof doesn't, it had a leaking due to clogged drainers,thank you so much for the fast response I really appreciate it.

[@DiamondStarWerks]

@@nikkorivas9193 the left motor is for the glass

[@nikkorivas9193]

@@DiamondStarWerksImma get one and try to do it myself, thanks again

[@rpersaud9555]

A mechanic just tried to charge me over $1000 for this. It takes 1 hour (if that) and the motor costs about $200 from Ford. Don't go to a mechanic. Even if both motors were bad, you're looking at $500 max to do this yourself.

[@DiamondStarWerks]

Glad you were able to get it done!

[@elmecanico4943]

Didn't show how to remove it..

[@DiamondStarWerks]

I didn't show the act of removal but I clearly explained how to do it. Once you access the motor, unplug it, remove the screws/bolts, and simply pry it out.